Scammers are always working on new ways to try to get you to click a link or respond to a fraudulent message. Following are some examples of recent scam emails and texts so you can know what to look out for.
Fake DocuSign Emails
Electronic signatures are becoming more and more common for a wide variety of documents. DocuSign is a reputable company, but this email is not from DocuSign – you can tell by looking at the sender’s email address.
If you are not expecting an electronic document to sign, never click on the email and delete it immediately.
Fake Microsoft Emails
If you have a Microsoft 365 account, you may be tempted to click on this email or its attachment. However, you should always look at the sender’s email address. In this case, you can see that it is clearly a scam and not from Microsoft.
If you have any doubt as to the authenticity of an email, never click on it and delete it immediately.
Fake Geek Squad Emails
The real “Geek Squad” is the name for a service from popular retailer Best Buy that helps customers set up and repair electronic devices, but this email isn’t from them. Look at the incorrect name as well as the suspicious sender’s email.
If you have any doubt as to the authenticity of an email, never click on it and delete it immediately.
Fake Venmo Emails
Venmo is a popular mobile payment service that allows account holders to transfer funds to others via the app. If you use it and receive an email like this, you may be tempted to click on it to dispute a mistaken transfer, but this email is not a mistake – it’s a scam. Look at the sender’s email address.
If you receive an email like this, never click on it and delete it immediately.
Fake Invoice Emails
It can be concerning when you receive an email that says you owe payment on an invoice. You may also think you should click or respond to the email to set the record straight. Don’t.
It’s a scam and you should delete it immediately.
Subscription Renewal Emails
Chances are you have at least a few monthly subscription charges for things like music, movies or TV streaming services, food deliveries, shopping, and more. So, when you receive an email telling you it’s time to renew, you may click before thinking too much about it. Take your time.
Scam emails about subscriptions are becoming more and more common, so look closely before you click – and delete when you see the scam.
Text Messages from Strangers
You may occasionally receive text messages from people you don’t know about supposed job opportunities or ways to make money fast.
Never tap or respond to these texts – scammers may be able to gain access to your phone if you do. Delete the message immediately
Package Scams
The holiday season is popular for scammers looking to take advantage of “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” shoppers. Scammers may send a text pretending to alert you to a problem with the shipping of your order. They may even use authentic looking logos of shipping companies like the US Postal Service, FedEx, DHL and more to try to trick you into clicking a link.
Never tap the links. The US Postal Service, for example, never includes links in legitimate text messages about a real delivery. Don’t respond and delete the message immediately.
