Protect Yourself from Email Scams: Five Tips to Stay Safe
(October 21, 2026 — Leonardtown, MD)
Scam emails can look legitimate and convincing, making it difficult to distinguish between a real message and an attempt to steal your personal or financial information. Here are five tips to help protect yourself from email scams.
1. Turn On Your Email Spam Filter
Most, if not all, email services come with built-in spam and junk filters that are enabled by default. Take a few minutes to check your email settings to make sure those filters are on and up to date.
You should see a significant drop in junk emails once those filters are turned on, many of which are likely to be scam emails.
2. Be Very Careful About Clicking on Links Within Emails
Don't click a link or call a phone number in any unsolicited email. Emails that look completely legitimate at a glance could very well be scams. It's always worth taking a second to research the information in any email to verify its legitimacy.
3. Verify Any Email Concerning Your Financial Accounts
Many scam emails will appear to be from your bank, credit card company, or any service where you have a payment method on file. If you receive any email that says your account has been compromised, or that there is a problem with your payment method, it's always a good idea to check that account directly, ideally from another device. If you don't access the account in question online, call your bank or credit card company, or even visit your bank to speak to someone in person.
Verify any invoices or payment requests by calling the company requesting payment, not a number in the email. Always do your own research to find a good contact number for the companies that hold your financial accounts.
4. Install Antivirus and Anti-Malware Software
Most devices have built-in antivirus and anti-malware protection. As with email spam filters, make sure those services are enabled and up to date. For an extra layer of protection, consider installing additional protective software from third-party companies. Think of this software as a failsafe if you accidentally click a link you shouldn't. A good anti-malware service can detect malicious software and warn you before it installs.
5. Consider Installing Ad-Blocking Software
Like links in legitimate-looking emails, ads that appear authentic can also be malware in disguise.
As spam filters can prevent you from receiving scam emails, ad blockers can prevent you from ever seeing ads that are actually scams. Many ad-blocking services are available, from free and paid software packages to options for the more technically proficient that require additional hardware.
Bonus Tip: Assume Unsolicited Emails, Texts, and Phone Calls Are Potential Scams
Scammers rely on victims panicking and not thinking before they act. But by adopting the mindset that anything unsolicited could be a scam, you'll take a few extra minutes to think before you act and do your own research.
In the world of financial crimes, the old adage that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is especially applicable. It is far better to avoid being scammed in the first place than to try to recover your money after the damage has been done.e