In Pictures: How to Spot an E-Mail Scam

Wonder whether the message announcing that you've received an e-card is legit? Or whether PayPal is really trying to contact you? Here's a visual guide to spotting malware, fraud, and other dirty tricks in your inbox.

Erik Larkin

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The Personal Touch 11 of 11

If you saw this message in your inbox, you might quickly identify it as spam. But what if you had actually attended Augustana College, as the recipient of this message had? Scammers often use publicly available information--such as Augustana's online alumni list--to personalize messages and allay suspicion. The moral: Don't let your guard down, even if an e-mail message uses your correct personal information or seems to come from a friend or colleague. (Image provided by Sunbelt Software.)