Always be wary of unsolicited emails that are supposedly from your bank or some other trusted organisation, particularly if they ask you to share private information such as your banking or login details.
These are known as “phishing” emails and are commonly used by criminals to steal your personal information.
Always take the time to thoroughly check the email and, if in doubt, don’t reply. Instead, get in contact with the organisation directly. You can usually find their contact details on the back of your credit/debit cards, or on their trusted website. Never log in to a site via an email you’re suspicious of.
Never click on any links or attachments in a suspicious looking email, as they could contain a virus or other dangerous software. These links could also take you to a malicious site pretending to be a reputable site.
Here are some ways to spot a phishing email:
1. Double check the sender’s email address (including the domain)
If you don’t recognise the address, contact the supposed company using the contact details on their official website.
2. Check for any spelling or grammar mistakes
A lack of punctuation, poor spelling and different font sizes used throughout the email are signs that the email isn’t genuine.
3. Be careful with hyperlinks
These links can be harmful to your device, as they might contain viruses. Make sure the hyperlink actually takes you where it claims to by hovering over the hyperlink.
4. Are there unexpected attachments?
Email attachments can contain malware or viruses which can steal information from your device. If you’re not expecting an attachment or have any suspicions, don’t click on it but contact the alleged sender directly.
5. A sense of urgency
Does the email encourage you to take action quickly? This is a scammer’s tactic to make you act without thoroughly thinking your actions through. If in doubt, don’t reply and read through the email properly when you have time.
What should you do if you’ve received a phishing email claiming to be from ClearScore?
Don’t open the email or click on any links. If you do suspect that your ClearScore account has been compromised, we recommend that you change your password as soon as possible.
If you’d like us to clarify whether you’ve received a genuine ClearScore email, please send us a screenshot and we’ll take a look.