KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar BluffDon't open that suspicious email

Don't open that suspicious email

Posted: Updated:
BUTLER COUNTY, MO (KFVS) -

Viewer's call Heartland News around once a week worried about a suspicious email or message.

They wonder, if it could it be some kind of trick or hoax.

To give you an idea of how often this happens, I asked a local expert what he sees.

Cyber Crime Task Force Detective Scott Phelps begins with the craziest email he's ever received.

"I got an email, someone had been paid $5,000 to kill me and if I responded with $7,500 they would reverse the hit, and take out the person that wanted me killed," said Phelps."

And as police officers, what do they do with that?

"I didn't do anything with it," said Phelps. "I realized quick that it was from overseas. It's just someone playing on someone's fears."

Phelps says there are some steps you can take to see if an email is suspicious.

He says if you are interested in an offer you receive through a suspicious email, delete it then go to the site yourself.  If you find the same offer on your own, it should be legit. 

He says it is better to be safe, than sorry.

"If it's in my inbox, if it's someone I do not know or I've never seen the address before, I don't open it," Phelps said. "I delete them."

 

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.