Email scams targeting seniors continue to rise in 2025, with fraudsters using increasingly sophisticated methods to trick unsuspecting victims. Learning to identify suspicious emails is your first line of defense against these threats.
How to Spot Suspicious Emails
Below are five tell-tale signs that an email might be attempting to scam you:
1. Urgent Action Required
Scammers often create a false sense of urgency to prevent you from thinking clearly. Be wary of emails claiming your account will be closed, you’ll face legal action, or you’ve won something, all requiring immediate response.
2. Grammar and Spelling Errors
Legitimate companies proofread their communications. Multiple spelling errors, strange phrasing, or poor grammar often indicate the email is from scammers, possibly from non-English speaking countries.
3. Suspicious Links or Attachments
Never click links or open attachments from suspicious emails. Hover your mouse over any link (without clicking) to see where it actually leads. If the displayed address doesn’t match the link destination, it’s likely fraudulent.
4. Requests for Personal Information
Legitimate organizations rarely request sensitive information via email. Be extremely cautious of any message asking for:
- Passwords or account numbers
- Social Security numbers
- Credit card details
- Banking information
5. Unexpected Emails
Be suspicious of emails from companies you’ve never done business with or communications you weren’t expecting – especially if they contain attachments or request information.
What To Do If You Suspect a Scam
If you receive a suspicious email, follow these simple steps:
- Don’t click any links or download any attachments
- Don’t reply to the sender
- If it appears to be from a company you know, contact them directly using their official website or phone number (not from the suspicious email)
- Report the email to your email provider as spam or phishing
- Delete the email from your inbox
“Prevention is better than cure. When in doubt about an email, it’s always safer to delete it than risk becoming a victim of cybercrime.”