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3.15. SPAM: Anatomy of a suspicious email
Looking for clues that an email is dishonest or disreputable.
1. You think you've received a suspicious email
Sometimes spam gets through the Google email filter. There are many reasons for this. In this case, Google appears to "know" it is SPAM but sends it to your inbox anyway. That's because emails from @ravennaschools.org (and other domains) accounts are whitelisted.
2. Breaking it down: The Subject line
Is the Subject line sketchy?
- Were you expecting a email from this person that shares a Google doc? Does the text of the message "sound" like previous emails from this person? Is the topic something they would share with you even if they didn't forewarn you?
If not, follow up via a phone call, or separate email to confirm they sent this.
3. Breaking it down: Get more details
Checking some details may give you insight. NOTE: This is a legitimately forwarded message to me. There is no indication of malfeasance in this screenshot.
- Click the down triangle to open the delivery details. Again, this is a legitimate forwarded email, so the screenshot looks ok.
4. Breaking it down: Suspicious stuff
This example looks at the forwarded message. You would see similar things if you were looking at the details described in the previous step.
- You don't know the Sender.
- You are not the Recipient.
- The message is generic. There are no details that "sound" like a sender you would know or even expect to get an unexpected email from them.
Conclusion. This appears sketchy. Confirm the person sent this email via a different method. I prefer calling.
5. Consider using a screenshot rather than forwarding.
It is OK to notify the RPS tech department about your concern. Forwarding a suspicious email, however, may not be the best way to ask.
Attaching a screenshot to a different email reduces the chance of spreading whatever contagion might be lurking at the end of this link.