As cybercriminals become more sophisticated, real or fake emails have devised ways to hide their true identities and to make their phishing attempts look authentic. They also employ a variety of tactics to gain access to organizations’ systems and websites. Employees are a key target for these criminal efforts, so it is essential to train them to recognize fake or real email. There are several methods for checking whether an email is valid, which can help in preventing the loss of valuable time and resources, as well as keeping the business safe from hackers.

Identifying whether an Email is Fake or Real

One of the most obvious telltale signs that an email is fraudulent is bad spelling and grammar. A reputable company with professional email accounts will rarely use grammatical errors.

Other red flags include the lack of an email signature or a link to a website that is not from the organization that sent the email. Checking the “Reply-to” and “From” fields in an email for the actual name and address of the person who actually sent the email is a good way to ensure that an email is genuine.

A sense of urgency is another common tactic used in scam emails, such as threats that an account will be closed or personal information will be stolen unless you take immediate action. A reputable company would never contact consumers unsolicited to request personal information or money. A legitimate company’s website will usually have a customer support form or phone number for consumers to reach out to the organization for help.