Dakota Central has recently detected an increase in scam emails targeting our customers. These fraudulent messages often impersonate Dakota Central, attempting to trick recipients into providing sensitive information. Understanding how to identify and handle these emails is essential for safeguarding your account and personal information.
Scam emails can take various forms but frequently involve urgent requests to verify or cancel your account. They may include suspicious links or attachments and often come from email addresses that seem legitimate but are actually fraudulent.
Recognizing a Scam Email
Scam emails often share common characteristics that can help you identify them. These messages may claim you requested to close your account, use urgent language to pressure you into acting quickly, or include links like “Click Here to Resolve Issue Now.” Pay close attention to the sender’s email address; scam emails often come from unfamiliar or suspicious sources.
This is an example of a scam email pretending to be from Dakota Central. While it mentions “Daktel,” the sender’s email address is clearly suspicious and unrelated to us. Always verify email addresses before taking any action.
Hover over any links (without clicking) to reveal their true destination. If something doesn’t look right, it’s better to verify than to risk your security.
How to Stay Protected
To protect your account, avoid clicking on any links in suspicious emails. Instead, verify the message’s authenticity by contacting Dakota Central directly. Using tools like the eScout Mail Filtering System is an effective way to handle these threats.
Here’s how to report suspicious emails using eScout:
- Log in to your eScout account through the Dakota Central website.
- Locate the email in question in your inbox or quarantine.
- Click the “Report” button next to the suspicious email.
- eScout will review the email and adjust its filters to better recognize similar threats going forward.
By taking these steps, you’re not only safeguarding your account but also helping to protect others in our community.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU CLICK A SUSPICIOUS LINK
If you accidentally click on a link in a scam email, act quickly:
- Do not enter any information.
- Run a full antivirus scan on your device.
- Change your Dakota Central email account password immediately.
- Contact us to ensure your account remains secure.
Final Thoughts on Staying Safe
Scam emails are a growing threat, but staying informed and vigilant can significantly reduce your risk. Remember that legitimate emails from Dakota Central will always come from an official domain, such as *@dakotacentral.com, and will never ask for sensitive information like passwords via email. If something feels suspicious, it’s better to verify than to fall victim.
When in doubt, don’t hesitate to call us at 701-952-1000. We’re here to help protect your account and personal information while ensuring you stay safe online.
