How to spot a fake or phishing e-mail

Clicking on an unsafe link is all it takes for criminals to hack into and takeover your machine or online accounts. Did you know that many phishing attacks are so successful because they trigger our emotions and thereby suppress our criing? Just 10 seconds of mindful pausing will reactivate your logical thinking brain – so slow down before reacting to any messages you did not expect and think before you click. Below is a FAKE email. Here are a few fake dimensions techniques:

Feeling

Does the message trigger an emotional reaction such as curiosity, greed or fear, or does it try to pressurise you?

Action

Does it ask you to click on a link, open an attachment or provide personal information?

Know

Do you know the sender? Be careful as hackers often spoof a sender’s e-mail address to make the mail look like it comes from someone you know.

Expect

Were you expecting this e-mail? Did you sign up for any relief programmes? Even if you know the sender, their account may have been compromised, so rather verify if you are unsure or if it is related to payments, or your financial or personal information.