With phishing and email scams on the rise, it's essential to know how to verify whether an email is legitimate. Here’s a user-friendly guide to help you investigate suspicious emails.

1. Check the Sender’s Email Address

• Look Closely: Hover over the sender's name to see the full email address. Check for misspellings or unusual domains (e.g., @gmaail.com vs. @yourbaank.com).
• Be Wary of Free Email Services: Many legitimate companies use their own domains, so emails from free services like Gmail or Yahoo can be suspicious.

2. Examine the Subject Line

• Red Flags: Be cautious of urgent language, threats, or promises of large sums of money. Scammers often use scare tactics or enticing offers to prompt quick action.

3. Look for Personalization

• Generic Greetings: Legitimate companies often address you by name. Be wary of emails that use vague greetings like “Dear Customer” or “Dear User.”

4. Check for Spelling and Grammar Errors

• Professional Standards: Many phishing emails contain poor grammar, awkward phrasing, or spelling mistakes. Legitimate companies typically maintain a professional standard.

5. Review the Content and Tone

• Suspicious Requests: Be cautious if the email asks for sensitive information (like passwords, Social Security numbers, or bank details) or prompts you to click on unusual links.
• Unusual Urgency: Emails that pressure you to act quickly often signal a scam.

6. Inspect Links Before Clicking

• Hover Over Links: Without clicking, hover over any links to see the URL. Check if it directs you to a legitimate website. Be cautious of shortened URLs (like bit.ly) that can mask the destination.

7. Verify with the Company Directly

• Contact Them: If the email claims to be from a company you recognize, visit their official website (not via links in the email) and contact their customer service to verify the email’s legitimacy.

8. Check for Attachments

• Be Cautious: Avoid opening attachments from unknown senders, as they may contain malware. If the email seems suspicious, it's best to delete it without opening any attachments.

9. Check for Unusual Behavior

• Account Changes: If you notice changes in your accounts (like password reset requests or unfamiliar login attempts), it could indicate that a scammer is attempting to gain access.

10. Trust Your Instincts

• If something feels off about the email, trust your instincts, investigate further and report it to your IT.