Fourth of July weekend can get busy fast, and with this year marking America’s 250th birthday, there’s plenty to keep track of before the long weekend begins. There are cookouts to plan, fireworks to watch, family plans to coordinate, and probably at least one last-minute trip to the store for buns, ice, or the oddly specific thing someone said they were bringing. 😵💫
With so much going on, it can be easy to move quickly through your inbox. Unfortunately, scammers count on those busy, distracted moments.
Some may claim that your email account, billing information, privacy settings, or service access needs to be verified or updated by clicking a link. These emails are often designed to create urgency and make you feel like you need to act quickly.
With our office closed tomorrow, Friday, July 3, for the holiday weekend, we wanted you to feel confident if a suspicious email shows up while we’re away, so here is what to look for.
Quick Inbox Checklist 👀
Scam emails often include clues such as:
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Generic greetings like “Dear User”
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Urgent language such as “act now,” “final notice,” or “your access will be suspended”
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Short deadlines meant to make you rush
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Links that look suspicious when you hover over them. Don’t click it though!
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Odd formatting, spacing, grammar, or phrasing
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Design that looks off (ex. pixelated logos)
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Inconsistent team names in the salutations (ex. “The Estherville Communications Support Team,” “Estherville Communications Security Team,” “EsthervilleCommunications Admin." “EsthervilleCommunications Support.”)
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Requests to verify account access, email settings, passwords, or billing details through an unexpected link or button
Even if an email includes “Estherville Communications” in the name or looks convincing at first glance, please take a moment to review it carefully before clicking anything.
💡 Tip: One of the biggest hints that an email is a scam is if it is asking you to click a link to verify your email access, update email settings, or provide sensitive account information unexpectedly. We do not send emails like this.
What to do if you receive a suspicious email 🧑💻
If you receive an email that feels off, do not click any links or download any attachments.
You can reach out to us via our contact form so our team can help you review it. You may also call us at 855-859-3363 if you have questions and we will get back to you as soon as we can after the holiday weekend.
When in doubt, it is always better to verify before clicking anything.
Your holiday weekend should be filled with fireworks, food, family, and fun, not the stress of a suspicious email. A few extra seconds can help protect your personal information, your account, and your peace of mind.
Stay safe, enjoy the long weekend, and let the fireworks be the only thing that catches you off guard. 🎆 🤩