Spam: Unsolicited bulk emails, often advertising a product or service. While mostly annoying, spam can sometimes contain links to malicious websites.

Phishing: A more dangerous type of email where scammers impersonate legitimate organizations (like your bank, a social media site, or a government agency) to trick you into revealing sensitive personal information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or your Social Security number.

• Sense of Urgency or Threats: Phishing emails often try to create a panic. They might say your account will be closed, you've incurred a penalty, or you'll miss out on a great offer if you don't act immediately. Legitimate companies rarely use such high-pressure tactics.

• Generic Greetings: Instead of using your name, the email might start with a vague salutation like "Dear Customer," "Valued Member," or simply "Hello."

• Spelling and Grammar Mistakes: Emails from reputable organizations are usually well-written. Obvious spelling and grammatical errors are a major red flag.

• Suspicious Links and Attachments:

• • Hover Before You Click: If you move your mouse over a link (without clicking!), the actual web address will often appear in the bottom corner of your screen. If the address looks different from what the link says, don't click it.

• • Unexpected Attachments: Be very wary of attachments you weren't expecting, even if they seem to be from someone you know. These files can contain viruses or other malicious software. Legitimate companies will rarely send important documents as unexpected attachments.

• Unusual Sender Email Address: Scammers often create email addresses that are very similar to legitimate ones but are slightly off. Look for misspellings, extra numbers, or a different domain name (the part after the "@" symbol). For example, an email from "YourBank@service.com" instead of "YourBank@yourbank.com" is suspicious.

• Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate companies will never ask you to provide your password, full Social Security number, or bank account details via email. 

If you receive an email that seems suspicious, follow these simple steps:

1. Don't Click on Links or Download Attachments. This is the most important rule.

2. Verify the Sender Independently. If the email claims to be from a company you do business with, don't use the contact information provided in the email. Instead, go directly to the company's official website by typing the address into your browser or use a phone number you know is legitimate to contact them.

3. Delete the Suspicious Email. Once you've determined an email is likely spam or a phishing attempt, delete it from your inbox.

4. Consider Using Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). This adds an extra layer of security to your online accounts. When you log in, you'll be asked for a second form of verification, like a code sent to your phone. This makes it much harder for scammers to access your accounts, even if they have your password.

5. Keep Your Software Updated. Regularly update your computer's operating system, web browser, and antivirus software. These updates often include security patches that can protect you from the latest threats.

By being cautious and learning to recognize these common red flags, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to email scams. When in doubt, it's always better to be safe and delete a suspicious message than to risk your personal information.