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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.