Email - Is it Spam?

There a few simple clues that you can look for to help you decide if an email is Spam or Legitimate. Let's go over these with the example below. If you are still questioning if the email is real, you can always forward the message to helpdesk@c21affiliated.com with the Subject as "Spam".

1.) Sender

• Did you contact them first?
  • No, they contacted me first.
• Is it from someone you know?
  • I do not know this person, they are not on my contacts list.
  • Warning! You may receive Spam from people you do know if their email has been compromised.
• Does the email address match the name or business?
  • The email address seems like a jumble of letters that do not match the person's name and/or business.

2.) Links and attachments

• Where is the link taking me?
  
  • Spam emails will often use shortened URL links to mask the true path where the link is taking you. You should avoid links like these unless you believe the email to be legitimate and from a safe sender.
• Why is there an attachment?
  
  • Often times scam emails will send you attachments and direct you to open them in the written email. Saying that the attachment contains more important information that is "vital" for you to read. These attachments can be harmful to your computer, so please do not open them.

3.) Language

• Is there spelling or grammar errors?
  • Yes, they used compliant instead of complaint. Legitimate businesses will likely not have these errors, especially if they are sending out "automatic" replies.
• Are the sentences coherent?
  • Wrong:"we have got an abuse"
  • Right: we "received" an abuse "complaint/report".
• Does it come across threatening or demanding?
  • They are claiming you have violated the "The Safety and Health Act" and you should reply within 24 hours.