Email Scams: How to Spot the Red Flags


Every day, people lose their hard-earned money to online phishing scams. The good news? You can protect yourself by learning how to recognize the red flags. Scammers often disguise themselves as your bank, a trusted business, or even a government agency. By knowing what to look for, you’ll be better equipped to avoid falling victim.
 

What To Do If You Fall for an Email Scam

Mistakes happen — what matters most is what you do next. If you think you’ve fallen victim:
  1. Change your password immediately if you entered login information on a fake site.
  2. Contact your bank directly, 855-351-2265.
  3. File a police report if you lost money.
  4. Report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at www.ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).

Why Email Scams Are So Common

Email is the most popular tool for scammers, accounting for 96% of all phishing attacks. Fraudsters make their emails look authentic, using official logos, professional wording, and even fake addresses that closely resemble real ones. Their goal? To trick you into clicking a malicious link, sharing your personal information, or sending money.

Red Flags to Watch For in Emails:

1. Suspicious Links
If an email pressures you to click a link, whether to “verify your login” or “make a payment,” it’s a scam. Banks will never ask you to do that through email.
  • Tip: Before clicking, hover over the link to see where it really leads.
  • Best practice: Type your bank’s URL (WeAreLiberty.Bank) directly into your browser or call them (855-351-2265).
2. Scare Tactics & Urgent Language
Scammers love to create a sense of panic. They may say your account will be closed, you’ll be charged a fee, or your funds are at risk if you don’t act immediately.
  • Reality: Banks never use scare tactics, threats, or high-pressure language.
  • Rule of thumb: Urgent demands should always raise a red flag.
3. Requests for Personal Information
No matter how real the email looks, never reply with personal information like your password, PIN, or Social Security number. Legitimate financial institutions will never ask for this over email.
4. Unusual Email Address
Look carefully at the sender’s address. Fraudsters often use addresses that appear close to your bank’s real domain but include small differences, such as extra words, hyphens, or letters. If something looks even slightly off, don’t trust it.
5. Misspelled Words and Poor Grammar
Professional institutions review their messages carefully. Frequent misspellings, awkward grammar, or unusual phrasing are signs that the message may not be legitimate.
6. Unexpected Attachments
Banks will never send an unsolicited attachment, especially files that ask you to download or open them. Attachments can contain malware designed to infect your computer and steal your information.

Preventative Email Habits

Think of phishing prevention like defensive driving. By treating every incoming email as a potential risk, you’ll lower your chances of being tricked. Even if a message looks convincing, stay skeptical, double-check the sender, and verify directly with your bank when in doubt.

Final Reminder

Phishing emails are designed to look authentic, but by knowing the red flags (suspicious links, scare tactics, requests for sensitive information, unusual email addresses, poor spelling/grammar, and unexpected attachments) you’ll be ready to spot scams before they cause harm. Stay alert, stay skeptical, and always remember: banks will never ask you to reveal personal information by email.