How to Identify Fraudulent Emails

A fraudulent (spoof) email is a deceptive communication that poses as a well-known or trusted source with the intention of obtaining personal information from you. The senders of these spoof emails may exploit any information you have shared to commit fraud or even steal your identity.

How can we combat fraudulent emails?

Identify the fraudulent nature of the email. Fraudulent emails often exhibit the following characteristics:
 

• Generic greeting: Instead of addressing you by name, the email uses terms like "user," "customer," or "member."

 

• Generic closing: The email claims to be from a general department such as "Customer Service Department" or "The Banking Services Team.

 

• Sense of urgency: You might be urged to respond immediately or within a specified number of days.

 

• Fake links: Links within the email either do not lead to the claimed source or redirect you to a third-party website. Never click on any links provided in an email. Instead, manually type the web address of the business into your browser.

Notify the relevant entity about the receipt of a fraudulent email. If possible, forward the email if you haven't already deleted it.

For more information, visit the Maine Department of Education website at: https://www.maine.gov/doe/sitepolicies/security