The scam emails are getting better. They look like they come from your bank. They look like they come from Amazon. They even look like they come from your own grandkids. The people sending them are counting on you being busy or distracted or just wanting to help.

You do not need to be a tech expert to spot them. You just need five simple habits.

Five quick rules to protect yourself

1. Stop and take a breath

Almost every scam email is designed to make you panic. Your account will be locked. Your package will be returned. Your grandson is in trouble. If an email makes your heart race, that is the biggest warning sign of all. Real companies give you time. Scammers do not want you to have it. When you feel rushed, slow down.

2. Check who it is actually from

Look at the sender’s email address, not just the name. A real message from your bank will come from an address that ends in the bank’s website name. A scam might come from something like support@banksecurityalerts.com or a long string of random letters. If the address does not look right, the email is not right.

3. Do not click the link. Go to the website yourself.

If an email says there is a problem with your account, do not click the button in the email. Open a new browser tab and type the real website address yourself, or use the app on your phone. If there really is a problem, you will see it when you log in. If there is nothing, the email was a scam. This one habit stops most phishing attempts.

4. Be extra careful about anything asking for money or gift cards

No real company, no government agency, no police department, and no family member in an actual emergency is going to ask you to pay with gift cards. Ever. If you see the words iTunes card, Amazon card, or Google Play card in a request for payment, it is a scam. Full stop. The same goes for wire transfers to someone you have not verified by calling them directly on a number you already know.

5. If it sounds like a loved one in trouble, call them

Scammers will send emails, texts, or even fake voice messages pretending to be a grandchild or family member in trouble. Always call the person back on their real phone number, or call another family member to check. Ten seconds of verification will save you from a terrible mistake.

How United Fiber helps in the background

United Fiber customers get an extra layer of help without having to think about it. The United Wi-Fi Blast router and United Fiber Wi-Fi app quietly blocks known malicious websites and unsafe links at the network level. If a scam email tries to send you to a fake banking site, the connection is blocked before you ever land on it. It works for every device on your home network, including your phone and your tablet, without you having to install anything.

You still want the five habits above. Nothing catches everything. But it is nice to have something watching your back.

When in doubt, ask someone you trust

If an email looks suspicious and you are not sure, ask a family member, a friend, or your local United Fiber office. It is always okay to get a second opinion. Scammers count on you being embarrassed to ask. Do not give them that win.

For more on the service and support we offer our neighbors across north Missouri, visit the United Fiber customer center or contact us. We are local and we are happy to help.