Have you ever received an email that looked a little off?
These social engineering emails may say your password was compromised or that you won a gift card. They are a sneaky way scammers try to trick people into giving up personal information or clicking on dangerous links.
What is a Social Engineering Email?
A social engineering email is designed to look trustworthy, but it is actually a trick to get you to take any of the following actions:
- Click on a fake link
- Download a harmful attachment
- Share personal or financial information
These emails often pretend to be from:
- Your bank or a well-known company (like Amazon or Netflix)
- A coworker or manager
- Tech support or even the government
Warning Signs
Here are a few warning signs to look for in the subject line or email:
- "Act now!" pressure – Scammers love urgency. If an email says you must do something immediately, take a breath and look closer
- Spelling errors or weird grammar – Legit companies usually do not make sloppy mistakes
- Strange links – Hover over links (do not click) to see where they really lead
- Unexpected attachments – If you were not expecting a file, do not open it
How to Stay Safe
By following the suggestions below, you can add remain safe from social engineering emails.
- Think before you click – Do not open links or attachments from people you do not know
- Double-check with the sender – If something seems off, contact the person directly (not by replying to the email)
- Use strong, unique passwords – Turn on two-factor authentication wherever possible
- Keep software updated – Updates often include security fixes to help protect you
Remember this quick rule of thumb: If it seems too good to be true, feels a little threatening, or just does not feel right, then trust your gut. Delete the email or report it.
Staying safe online does not require being tech-savvy — just being a little cautious goes a long way.
