Phishing attacks and scams are among the most common ways criminals attempt to steal sensitive information, including login details, personal identification, and financial data.
These emails and texts are designed to look legitimate but usually contain subtle warning signs. Understanding how to identify them is an important step in protecting yourself and your digital assets.
Common signs of phishing and scams
1. Suspicious sender details
Scam emails and texts often come from unusual addresses and numbers, with extra numbers, letters, or domains that do not match the organisation’s official address. Always check the sender’s details carefully.
2. Urgent or threatening language
Criminals rely on creating a sense of urgency. Subject lines or messages that claim “your account will be locked” or “immediate action required” are designed to pressure you into reacting without thinking.
We will never instruct you to call a hotline to verify your information or resolve an issue.
3. Unexpected attachments or links
Phishing attacks may include links directing you to fake websites, attachments that contain malware or fake phone numbers to call. Hover over links to preview the URL and only open attachments you expect from trusted sources.
4. Requests for sensitive information
Legitimate organisations will never ask you to provide passwords, personal identification numbers (PINs), or account logins via email. Any such request should be treated as a red flag.
5. Poor spelling and formatting
Many scam emails and texts contain grammatical errors, unusual formatting, or inconsistent branding. While some may appear polished, these errors are often a giveaway.
How to protect yourself
- Verify before clicking: If you receive a suspicious email, verify its authenticity by contacting the organisation using official contact details.
- Enable security features: Use multi-factor authentication (MFA) to add an extra layer of protection. Even if criminals obtain your password, MFA can block unauthorised access.
- Keep software updated: To reduce the risk of malware, ensure your email client, browser, and antivirus software are up to date.
- Report phishing and scam attempts: Download ScamShield to report suspicious communications
What to do if you’ve clicked a scam link
If you believe you’ve fallen victim to a scam:
- Reset your Independent Reserve account password immediately
- Contact our Support Team via support@independentreserve.com so we can put a hold on your account
- Make a police report.
