Sometimes It Is a Coincidence
By Jarren Ringle
This is a true story.
I had just received a new credit card. I was busy checking the payment information for my subscriptions and websites. I’m sure this is something many of us do from time to time. Then, out of the blue, I received an email from Spectrum telling me I needed to update my payment information because my credit card had reached its expiration date. It said that if I didn’t update my information quickly, I would lose my service. Well, I certainly did not want to lose our service, and of course, the email had a link I could click to update my card information. How nice of “Spectrum” to make it easy for me.
I live by the rule of NOT clicking links in unexpected emails, so I surely would not do that. But was it possible that my card information did need to be updated… after all, I had a new card?
My wife was kind enough to tell me, “It’s a scam.” I certainly thought she was right, but still, I did not want to lose our Spectrum services even temporarily.
What I did next is what I tell all of you to do… THINK. Here’s how the thought process went:
- The email’s grammar seemed ok. Things were spelled correctly. It passed that test.
- Was there a sense of urgency? Yes, there was. “Spectrum” wanted me to understand that if I did not respond quickly, we would lose our services. So this was a red flag.
- Did the email contain my name or the account information? No, it did not, so it failed this, too.
- Did the logo look OK? (Caution with this one because anyone can duplicate a logo.) Surprisingly, the logo did not look as I would have expected. At this point, I knew it was a scam.
- Another indication was that I am not the owner of the real Spectrum account; my wife is. Spectrum does not have my credit card.
- Curiosity got the best of me, and I wanted to see where the enclosed link would take me if I clicked it. I examined the URL the link had, and it was not a path to my account, so clicking that link would be a big mistake.
The email was a scam, and I marked it as junk mail and deleted it. Normally, I would have paid no attention to the email and immediately sent it to the junk mail bin. Was it a coincidence that I had a new credit card? I don’t know, but it was a coincidence that made me consider the email’s validity.
The moral of this story is to think. Ask why. Don’t let a threat cause you to make bad decisions. And listen to your wife!
Jarren Ringle is a member of SourcePoint and a volunteer instructor. SourcePointers come to Jarren for tutelage on their tablets, laptops, and the most popular of all devices – cell phones. He teaches various technology classes throughout the year including one-on-one sessions and group classes. Jarren also volunteers at the Delaware County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. With many years of project management experience in various technology fields, he enjoys helping others with technology.
Technology 1:1 Assistance: Jarren Ringle provides guidance on technology in a 45-minute time slot. Do you have questions regarding a cell phone, PC, laptop or tablet? Share what the device is and what your question is upon registration so that Jarren can be better prepared to help. >> Schedule your 1:1