Consider the following sample email:
Do you think this is a phishing scam? Please indicate yes or no, and why? You can select more than one option.
No, this is standard practice when collecting returns from SARS eFiling.
Yes, the email is requesting you to click on a link and then provide information via that link.
Yes, the email address is not the SARS email address.
No, the email has the correct SARS logo in it.
Yes, the email is requesting you to click on a link and then provide information via that link.
Yes, the email address is not the SARS email address.
No, the email has the correct SARS logo in it.
Based on the given options, the possible answers are:
1. No, this is standard practice when collecting returns from SARS eFiling.
- This option suggests that the email is not a phishing scam because it aligns with the standard practice of collecting returns from SARS eFiling.
2. Yes, the email is requesting you to click on a link and then provide information via that link.
- This option suggests that the email might be a phishing scam because it is asking the recipient to click on a link and provide information, which is a common tactic used in phishing attempts.
3. Yes, the email address is not the SARS email address.
- This option suggests that the email might be a phishing scam because the sender's email address does not match the official SARS email address, indicating a potential impersonation attempt.
4. No, the email has the correct SARS logo in it.
- This option suggests that the email is not a phishing scam because it includes the correct SARS logo. However, it's important to note that scammers can sometimes replicate logos, so the presence of the logo alone does not guarantee that the email is legitimate.
To answer the question, you can select any combination of the above options based on your reasoning.
To determine if an email is a phishing scam, you need to consider various indicators. Here is an explanation of each option given and how it can help you make a decision:
1. No, this is standard practice when collecting returns from SARS eFiling:
This option suggests that the email is not a phishing scam because it aligns with the usual procedure for collecting returns from SARS eFiling. If you are familiar with SARS eFiling and know that they typically use email for return collection, this could be a plausible reason to consider the email as legitimate.
2. Yes, the email is requesting you to click on a link and then provide information via that link:
This option indicates that the email is indeed a phishing scam. Phishing scams often use deceptive techniques like requesting users to click on a link in the email and then provide personal or sensitive information on a fake website. Be cautious when asked to click on links in emails and verify the legitimacy of the sender before proceeding.
3. Yes, the email address is not the SARS email address:
If the email address sending the message is not an official SARS email address, it raises suspicions about its authenticity. Phishers often use email addresses that mimic official addresses to deceive recipients. If you are familiar with the official SARS email address, compare it to the one in the email to determine if it matches. A mismatch indicates a potential phishing scam.
4. No, the email has the correct SARS logo in it:
A legitimate email might have the correct SARS logo, but it does not guarantee that the email itself is not a phishing attempt. Phishers can easily copy logos and images to make their emails appear genuine. Therefore, solely relying on the presence of a logo is not a foolproof way to determine the legitimacy of an email.
In this scenario, the safest option seems to be selecting "Yes, the email address is not the SARS email address" and "Yes, the email is requesting you to click on a link and then provide information via that link". This is because the email address and the request to click on a link without proper verification are red flags commonly associated with phishing scams.