Be Cyber Safe, Know the Signs and Tricks

Published on December 16, 2022

Cyber Security News Article

It's important to be vigilant when opening emails and clicking links. Unfortunately, phishing attempts and other fraudulent emails are more frequent today. Please note that official emails from the City of Palo Alto typically end with @cityofpaloalto.org though there are limited exceptions such as surveys or polls. More tips and information are offered below to spot the signs of a scam or fraudulent attempt. If you receive a communication that does not seem quite right, see contact details for City Departments and City Council below.

Cyber Security Tips

The signs can be subtle, but once you recognize a phishing attempt you can help be the first line of defense against these types of scams. Before clicking any links or downloading attachments, take a few seconds to ensure the email looks legitimate.

Here are some quick questions to ask on how to clearly spot a phishing email:

  • Does it contain an offer that's too good to be true?
  • Does it include language that's urgent, alarming, or threatening?
  • Is it poorly crafted writing, riddled with misspellings and bad grammar?
  • Is the greeting ambiguous or very generic?
  • Does it include requests to send personal information?
  • Does it stress an urgency to click on an unfamiliar hyperlink or attachment?
  • Is it a strange or abrupt business request?
  • Does the sender's email address match the company it's coming from? Look for little misspellings like pavpal.com or amazon.com.

Official City Email Messages and Communications

Please note that official emails from the City of Palo Alto typically end with @cityofpaloalto.org. There are limited exceptions for surveys or polls. Though the City doesn't often solicit donations, City partners including local foundations such as the Palo Alto Art Center Foundation, Friends of the Palo Alto Library, and Friends of the Palo Alto Junior Museum & Zoo do send out fundraising communications.

Overall, be careful when clicking links in emails, and if you ever doubt what is included in an email, contact the appropriate department or City official to double check its legitimacy.

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