There are a multitude of scams out there. While there may be a limitless amount of angles scammers use, the objective is the same. To steal your money. The good news is that, by remembering a few simple rules, it will become easy to spot these scams automatically.

Simple rule #1.

If you’re sent anything from the UK, Scotland, or Nigeria, it’s a scam. Unless you have direct contact with a person or company from those countries, don’t even open the email.

Simple rule #2.

If you didn’t go out and buy a lottery ticket--YOU DID NOT WIN!! There is no such thing as a “random email lottery winner.” Think about this from a legitimate company’s point of view. How many companies would randomly pick an email floating around and then give them a couple million dollars? How about none.

Simple rule #3.

If you did not apply for a loan, delete any emails that say it’s regarding your loan process.

Simple rule #4.

If you have applied for a loan or credit card and receive an email saying there’s an urgent problem with your account, or that they need to verify some information, call the bank or establishment directly to find out if there’s a problem. Do NOT click on the links provided in the email. These types of emails are usually generic as well. They say something like “Dear Valued Customer” or something else other than your name. The establishments you have accounts with know your name so they use it with they send a correspondences to you.

Simple rule #5.

A large portion of scams come from other countries. Because of this, the English used in many phishing scams I’ve received is slightly off. For instance, I’ve received numerous scams that are titled “My Darling” or “My Dear.” While these types of greetings may be typical in other countries, in the U.S. they’d be considered inappropriate ways to address perfect strangers. These foreign scams also tend to make simple “speaking” errors. Now, not everyone is a great writer but they tend to be mistakes that native English speakers wouldn’t make.

Simple rule #6.

If you see the title “esq” (esquire) attached to the name of anyone sending you an email--delete it.

If you see the title “barrister” attached to the name of anyone sending you an email--delete it. (A barrister is basically a lawyer. A term used in some European countries).

If you see the word “ministry” as in “the ministry of public affairs” or something similar---delete it.

If you receive an email from someone with a name you can’t even begin to pronounce---delete it.

Simple rule #7.

Get ready to run if you hear the words “wire transfer.” This type of scam isn’t restricted to emails. I’ve run into these on Craigslist under job postings. I write to someone thinking “hey, I don’t have a problem cleaning out a vacant apartment for some extra cash.” He writes me back later that day saying that he’s currently out of the country (RED FLAG) so he’d like to pay me with a wire transfer (HUGE RED, WAVING FLAG) all he needs is my “full name, address, phone number, cell number….” (BYE BYE). Do not ever agree to a wire transfer unless you trust the other party. Do not ever agree to take their money and then send some of it along to their “poor, starving family in…” The only one who’s going to be poor at the end of this transaction, is you.

Simple rule #8.

Do not respond to emails where your “urgent response is needed” or if someone asks you to “please help.”

Simple rule #9.

Scammers tend to use the caps lock button a lot. Here’s a scam that I just got in my junk mail.

Mr. Andrew Wong (… CONFIRM RECEIPT AND INTEREST

Of course, not everyone who uses caps is a scammer but a lot of the scams I get use caps for part, or all, of the heading.

My last item to watch out for is a scam I’ve recently become aware of. It’s actually a phone call with a recorded voice saying they’re calling about my credit card account. They don’t tell me which account, from what bank or even include my name (TRIPLE THREAT RED FLAG). Then they tell me to get into this great new program I have to stay on the line and talk to one of their people (RED FLAG). If my bank really is having a promotion, I should be able to talk to them directly. Third, on my caller ID, this is the number that comes up…XXX-000-XXXX. The area code and the last four numbers tend to change but the middle three are always 000. I don’t know about you but I haven’t heard of any numbers in this country structured that way.

I’ve been reporting these phishing scams for over a year and that’s only seemed to target me for more of them. I probably get a dozen email scams a day. I think it’s important that we help each other as there don’t seem to be any organizations or companies taking responsibility, or action, against those who post scams.

If you’re aware of other scams or have personal stories to share, please post them to the comments section below. Your experiences go a long way in helping others.

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