CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Google is rolling out a new email feature to help us all avoid falling for a phishing scam.
You've probably been targeted by phishing before. It involves an email appearing to be from a legit business when in reality, it's actually a scammer posing as the company in order to steal your personal information or worse.
Now there's a new line of defense for those who use Google's Gmail service for email. You'll now see a blue check mark next to a business’ email address if it's been verified by Google. Google says companies that have verified their identity will automatically receive the logo to use with their brand profile.
According to tech news website CNET, when you hover over the blue check that appears next to a company's email address in an email, a box appears that says "The sender of this email has verified that they own said company and the logo in the profile image."
Gmail has started rolling out verified checkmarks across both workspace and personal Google accounts.
As far as who can get verified, CNET reports that for now, the authentication is geared toward brands and organizations.
Tips to avoid becoming a victim of a scam
Emotional appeal - Any pitch that ratchets up your emotion will inhibit your rational judgment.
Sense of urgency - You MUST act now, or else.
Request for unorthodox payment - Gift cards, prepaid credit cards, wire transfers, etc.
Explanations that don't ring true - If your new “landlord” can’t show you the inside of the house, that could be because they don’t own it.
You won, now pay up - It’s not a prize if you have to pay for it. Taxes, fees, shipping, whatever.
Too good to be true - That’s because it’s not true. Sorry, your long-lost relative didn’t die, leaving you millions. That car you bought online for a third of its Kelly Blue Book value doesn’t really exist. The son of a billionaire diamond broker didn’t “swipe right” on you and fall instantly in love. That work-at-home job paying you hundreds of dollars an hour for stuffing envelopes isn’t real.
Contact Carolyn Bruck at cbruck@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.