Verify URLs in potential SPAM emails (All systems)

Spammers now send email that is nearly indistinguishable from legitimate messages. Previous red flags, such as misspellings and poor grammar, no longer exist. You should NEVER follow links sent in emails - always open a new browser window and type in the URL you know to be correct for the company if you want to verify your account status.

If you're curious where a link will take you, point at the link and a tool-tip box will appear with the actual address for the link. If the address in the box doesn't match the address listed in the link, you can be pretty sure the message is a scam. These links can be deceptive, too, as http://verify-ebay.com has NOTHING to do with eBay and is a cleverly-disguised scam site.

If you follow a link and want to know where you are, enter:

javascript:alert("Real URL: " + location.protocol + "//" +
location.hostname + "/");

in the address bar of FireFox and press Go. A JavaScript alert box will display the URL of the site you're looking at.

Often links lead to files that can cause you major harm if you download them -- even screen savers -- so it's best never to click on links in emails -- no matter what.