Is this E-mail Dangerous?
We would like to send a special word of warning about how criminals may be trying to use the coronavirus to scam you.
How better to get your attention than to send out an email that looks like it’s from the World Health Organization (WHO) or the Center for Disease Control (CDC) or pose at the Red Cross in desperate need for money?
Here are some examples of the way a scam could happen to you:
- If you get an email that looks like it’s from the CDC or WHO, check carefully before you open it. Hover your mouse over the sender (more explanation in our attachment) and verify that it is actually the CDC or WHO.
- The correct website for the WHO is https://www.who.int/ and the CDC is https://www.cdc.gov
- Be careful not to fall for anything like:
- cdc.gov.int
- cdc-gov.org
- who.gov
- who.edu
- Do not give out your credentials. If you accidentally do, change your password immediately.
- If you get an email asking for money for relief help, go directly to the website instead of clicking on a link to the website.
- For example, if you get an email that says the Red Cross needs money, don’t click on the link from the email. Open your web browser and type in Redcross.org.
- Only donate to proven reputable charities. Here is a site to research charities:
- As you scroll through the news, be careful of going to unrecognizable websites.
- When you are reading through Facebook and see the “cutest” or “saddest” story that you want to click on, think twice. Many of these sites use malicious ads that can infect your computer.
We have included an attachment called “Is this E-mail Dangerous: 10 ways to help decipher if an email is safe.”.
At a time where everyone is pulling together to support one another, we want to ensure that you won’t be taken advantage of by those with bad intentions.
Click here to view this document: