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Helmdon Parish Council

Email Scam Awareness

Think Before You Click

COMMON WARNING SIGNS

  • Urgent or pressured requests for action or payment
  • Requests for bank details, passwords, or codes
  • Use of generic greetings, spelling and grammar mistakes
  • Emails appearing to be from Councillors, the Clerk, or suppliers using fake addresses (email spoofing)
  • Unexpected links or attachments
  • Requests to bypass normal approval or payment procedures
  • Requests for secrecy

 

EMAIL SPOOFING
Email spoofing is when scammers pretend to be someone you trust. Always check the full email address, not just the display name.

BEFORE YOU CLICK OR PAY

  • Check the sender’s full email address
  • Hover over links to see the real destination
  • Verify requests using a known phone number or official contact
  • Pause if the tone or request feels unusual

NEVER

  • Click suspicious links
  • Open unexpected attachments
  • Share login, banking, or personal details by email
  • Approve payments based on email alone

IF YOU SUSPECT A SCAM

  • Do not reply or click
  • Report immediately to the Parish Clerk
  • Delete the email
  • If [Helmdon Parish Council] information or money may have been shared, notify the Clerk and Chair immediately

Official guidance:
NCSC – Phishing and email scams:
https://www.ncsc.gov.uk/collection/phishing-scams

Parish Online – Display-name spoofing:
https://support.parish-online.co.uk/portal/en/kb/articles/setting-up-display-name-spoofing

REMEMBER: STOP • VERIFY • REPORT

 

More information from Zoho (Helmdon Parish Council’s email provider):
https://www.zoho.com/mail/help/email-encryption.html#alink3

 

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Identifying email scams is crucial for protecting your personal information. Here are key indicators to help you spot them.
Common Signs of Phishing Emails
INDICATOR DESCRIPTION
Urgent Language Scammers often create a false sense of urgency, claiming immediate action is required.
Generic Greetings Emails that start with “Dear Customer” instead of your name may be suspicious.
Spelling and Grammar Errors Professional organizations usually proofread their communications. Errors can indicate a scam.
Suspicious Email Addresses Check the sender’s email domain. If it looks unusual or misspelled, it’s likely a scam.
Unexpected Attachments Be cautious of emails with attachments you weren’t expecting, as they may contain malware.
Mismatched Links Hover over links to see the actual URL. If it doesn’t match the sender’s domain, it’s a scam.
Types of Phishing Attacks
• Email Phishing: General emails sent to many people, often claiming account issues.
• Spear Phishing: Targeted emails that appear to be from someone you know, using personal information.
• Smishing: Phishing attempts via SMS messages, often from unknown numbers.
Best Practices to Avoid Scams
• Do Not Click Links: Avoid clicking on links in suspicious emails. Instead, visit the official website directly.
• Verify Requests: If an email asks for sensitive information, contact the organization directly using official contact details.
• Report Suspicious Emails: Forward any suspicious emails to your email provider or report them to relevant authorities.
By staying vigilant and informed, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to email scams

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