Phishing scams are a common online threat where criminals try to trick you into clicking on malicious links, opening attachments, or revealing personal details. These attempts can come disguised as emails, texts, social media messages, or even phone calls. Often, they appear to be from a trusted source like your bank, a social media platform, or even a friend.

Here’s how to stay safe and avoid becoming a victim:

1. Recognize the Bait:

• Urgency or emotional manipulation: Beware of messages that create a sense of urgency or fear. Phrases like “urgent action required” or “account suspended” are tactics to pressure you into acting impulsively.
• Requests for personal information: Legitimate businesses won’t ask for sensitive information like passwords or Social Security numbers via email or text.
• Suspicious links or email addresses: Hover over links before clicking to see the actual URL. Often, phishing attempts will use similar-looking domain names (e.g., amazan.com instead of amazon.com) or have misspellings in the email address. While bad grammar was once a giveaway, AI-powered scams now seem more polished.

2. Resist the Bite:

If something seems fishy, don’t click on any links or attachments. Many platforms allow you to report the message directly. Look for buttons near the sender’s information or utilize the “report spam” feature.

3. Delete the Threat:

Once you’ve identified a phishing attempt, delete the message entirely. Avoid replying or clicking on unsubscribe links within the message, as these can also be part of the scam.

Remember: When in doubt, throw it out! If a message seems suspicious, it’s best to err on the side of caution.

Extra Tip: If you’re unsure about the legitimacy of a message, especially one that appears to be from a known entity, verify it independently. Here’s how:

• Go directly to the company’s website: Use a trusted search engine or type the official website address you know into your browser.  Don’t click on any links in the suspicious message.
• Contact the sender through another channel: If it appears to be from a friend or colleague, call or text them directly to confirm if they sent the message.

By being aware of phishing tactics and taking these simple precautions, you can protect your personal information and keep your devices safe from harm.