Question

• How do I identify a suspicious email?
• What do I do with suspicious emails?

Answer

All faculty, staff and students should follow these steps when they receive a suspicious or unusual email.

Identifying a Suspicious Email
 

1. Do you trust the person the email was sent from?
   • If the answer is "No," then forward the email to phishing@uncw.edu. 
      
2. Does the email have an attachment? 
   • If the answer is "Yes," :
     • Only open attachments from senders you trust.
     • Were you expecting the attachment?
     • Is the attachment is password protected?
     • Always be cautious with email attachments when deciding whether or not to open them.
     • If you think the attachment is suspicious, forward the email to phishing@uncw.edu.
        
3. Does the email have grammar/spelling errors?
   • If the answer is "Yes," that is often a key indicator that the email is suspicious; forward the email to phishing@uncw.edu.
      
4. Do not click on any links in an email you think may be suspicious.
   1.  Instead, forward the email to phishing@uncw.edu.

What to do with Suspicious Emails

1. If you think you have received a suspicious email, forward the email to phishing@uncw.edu.
    
2. Once it is forwarded, delete the email.
   • Need help? View the Microsoft support article, "Delete email in Outlook.com."

If you need further assistance, please send an email to phishing@uncw.edu or CHAT with TAC.