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Spotting Phishing Scams

A checklist of things to check before you act on a suspicious email or message: sender, links, pressure to act, attachments and requests for codes.

What this tool does

A checklist of things to check before you act on a suspicious email or message: sender, links, pressure to act, attachments and requests for codes.

How to use

  1. Work down the list and tick each item as you finish it.
  2. Ticks are saved on this device, in your browser, so they are still there when you come back.

What this checklist covers

The list has 2 groups and 6 items.

  • Check the message (4 items): Check the sender address character by character; Look at where each link really goes before you open it, and check the domain spelling and path; Watch for urgency, threats, or “act now” language; Do not open attachments you were not expecting until you have confirmed them with the sender another way
  • Protect your accounts (2 items): Treat any request for your password or a two-factor code as a warning sign, and do not share them; Verify the request using the official site or a phone number you already know, not the email link

Tip: Run through these checks whenever a message asks you to act. Ticks are saved on this device.

Limitations

  • This is a general list. It does not know your circumstances, so add or skip steps to suit you.
  • Ticks are saved only in this browser on this device.
  • Scammers change tactics, so passing every check does not prove a message is safe.

FAQs

Q: Does the checklist change with my situation?
A: No. It starts as one list of 6 items in 2 groups and does not ask questions about you. Add your own items and remove the ones that do not apply.
Q: Are my ticks saved?
A: Yes. Ticks are saved in your browser on this device, so they are still there when you come back. They are not sent anywhere and do not follow you to another device or browser.
Q: How do I start again?
A: Press Uncheck All on a section to clear its ticks and keep your items, or Reset to Default to bring back the original list for that section and remove the items you added. Clearing your browser data for this site also removes the saved ticks.
Q: Can this checklist tell me whether a message is a scam?
A: No. It lists checks to run yourself. It does not read or scan any message.

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