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Who is really writing to you? Check an email or a message
How to tell whether you can trust a message
Almost every scam starts with a message — an email, an SMS, a WhatsApp message. The good news: you don’t need to be an expert to tell when something is off. It’s enough to look at a few simple things before you react. The most important of them is one single question: did I start this conversation?
Good signs — look for these
- You started the conversation (you wrote first or actually requested something).
- The sender's real address matches the institution, not just the displayed name.
- You are not being asked for passwords, card details or codes.
- The message doesn't rush you and doesn't scare you.
Warning signs
- You did not start the conversation — the message appears out of nowhere.
- The displayed name says "Bank X", but the real address is odd (for example @something-random.com).
- You are asked for your password, your card details, a code received by SMS, or money.
- Urgency and fear: "your account will be blocked", "pay now".
- An unexpected attachment (especially a file ending in .zip or .exe, or a document that asks you to "enable editing").
How to check, in 4 steps
- Ask yourself: did I start this conversation? If the message comes out of nowhere, treat it with distrust.
- Check the sender's real address, not just the displayed name (tap or click the name to see the full address).
- Don't click links and don't open attachments from unexpected messages.
- On any doubt, check for yourself through the official channel: open the app yourself or call the institution at the number on its website — never through what the message sent you.
Sources
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