Real vs. Fake: Spot the Difference
Compare legitimate communications with scam attempts side-by-side to learn the subtle differences and protect yourself from fraud.
Training Your Eye to Spot Scams
One of the most effective ways to protect yourself is to see real and fake examples side by side.
Why Comparisons Help:
- See subtle differences that might otherwise be missed
- Learn the patterns that scammers consistently use
- Build confidence in identifying legitimate communications
- Develop "muscle memory" for spotting red flags quickly
How to Use This Page
Examine each pair of examples carefully. Pay attention to:
- Sender information and website URLs
- Quality of language and professionalism
- Types of requests being made
- Sense of urgency or emotional manipulation
- Overall level of personalization
Email Comparisons
Compare legitimate emails with phishing attempts.
Banking Emails
Legitimate Bank Email
- Uses your actual name in greeting
- Comes from official bank domain
- No urgent action required
- Provides official contact number
- Doesn't ask for sensitive information
- Professional formatting and branding
- No spelling or grammar errors
Scam Bank Email
- Generic greeting ("Dear Customer")
- Comes from suspicious domain
- Creates urgency ("Account suspended")
- Contains grammar/spelling errors
- Asks you to "verify" personal information
- Threatens negative consequences
- Links to a fake website
Order Confirmation Emails
Legitimate Order Confirmation
- Contains specific order details and number
- Sent from official company domain
- Includes accurate purchase amount
- Shows items you actually ordered
- Professional design matching company branding
- No suspicious requests for information
- Links lead to official company website
Scam Order Confirmation
- References order you didn't place
- Sent from misleading domain (not official company)
- Creates urgency to "cancel" an unauthorized charge
- Vague details about purchase
- Poor quality logos or images
- Asks you to call a phone number or click link
- Often includes unusually high dollar amount to create panic
Subscription Renewal Emails
Legitimate Renewal Notice
- References subscription you actually have
- Comes from official company domain
- Shows realistic pricing
- Provides account details you recognize
- Gives reasonable notice before renewal
- Provides clear instructions for managing account
- Links to official website for account management
Scam Renewal Notice
- References subscription you may not have
- Sent from suspicious domain
- Shows unusually high amount (to trigger concern)
- Creates urgency to "avoid charges"
- Requires calling a phone number to cancel
- Lacks specific account details
- Poor grammar or unusual formatting
Website Comparisons
Compare legitimate websites with fake ones designed to steal your information.
Banking Login Pages
Legitimate Banking Website
- Secure URL with https:// and padlock icon
- Correct domain name (e.g., bankofamerica.com)
- Professional design matching bank branding
- No spelling or grammar errors
- Multiple security features visible
- Clear privacy and security information
- No excessive urgency or alarming messages
Phishing Banking Website
- Suspicious URL (e.g., bank-secure-login.com)
- Slight differences in logo or colors
- May have typos or grammar errors
- Requests excessive information
- Sometimes displays unsecure connection symbol
- Often has urgent message about account verification
- May have low-quality images or poor formatting
Online Shopping Websites
Legitimate Shopping Website
- Secure https:// URL with company name
- Professional design and quality images
- Multiple payment options available
- Reasonable pricing and shipping costs
- Complete contact information
- Clear return and privacy policies
- Customer reviews and ratings systems
Scam Shopping Website
- Suspicious domain (e.g., brand-super-discount.com)
- Prices that are far below market value
- Limited payment options (often only wire transfers)
- Poor quality or stolen product images
- Vague or missing contact information
- No clear return policy or terms of service
- Excessive urgency ("Limited time only!")
Social Media Comparisons
Compare legitimate social media accounts with impersonators and scammers.
Business Social Media Accounts
Legitimate Business Account
- Verification badge (blue checkmark)
- Consistent posting history over time
- High follower count
- Professional profile and cover images
- Links to official website
- Legitimate customer engagement
- Contact information matches official channels
Scam Business Account
- No verification badge
- Recently created account
- Few followers or suspiciously artificial engagement
- Username with extra characters (Company_Official2)
- Posts focused on giveaways or exclusive offers
- Asks followers to click external links
- Poor quality images or stolen content
Customer Support Accounts
Legitimate Support Account
- Official company name with verification badge
- Linked from main company account
- Never asks for passwords or sensitive information
- Directs to official website or support channels
- Professional response to customer issues
- Consistent posting history
- High follower count and engagement
Scam Support Account
- Similar but slightly different name (Support_Team)
- No verification badge
- Recently created account
- Asks users to share personal information
- Directs to external websites for "verification"
- Often contacts users proactively
- Requests users to communicate via DM only
Key Takeaways
The most important patterns to remember when comparing real vs. fake.
Legitimate Sources:
- Use official domains and verified accounts
- Address you by name
- Don't create artificial urgency
- Don't ask for sensitive information via email or messages
- Have professional design and error-free content
- Provide multiple contact methods
Common Scam Patterns:
- Create a sense of urgency or fear
- Use misleading domains or account names
- Contain spelling and grammar errors
- Request sensitive information
- Offer deals that are too good to be true
- Demand unusual payment methods
- Lack specific account details
How to Verify:
- Contact organizations directly using official numbers
- Type URLs directly instead of clicking links
- Check email sender addresses carefully
- Look for https:// and padlock icons
- Verify social media accounts through official channels
- Be skeptical of unexpected messages about account problems
Test Your Skills
Now that you've seen several examples, try this quick quiz to test what you've learned.
Real or Fake Quiz
Look at each example and decide if it's real or fake.
Email Example 1
Is this a real or fake email from PayPal?
This is FAKE
Red flags in this email:
- Generic greeting instead of your name
- Sender address is "paypal-secure@accountverify.net" (not paypal.com)
- Urgent language about account suspension
- Link would go to a phishing site
Website Example 1
Is this a real or fake Amazon website?
This is REAL
Elements that indicate this is legitimate:
- Correct URL (amazon.com)
- Secure https:// connection
- Professional design matching Amazon's branding
- Personalized with account name
Social Media Example 1
Is this a real or fake customer support account?
This is FAKE
Red flags in this account:
- No verification badge
- Username has underscore and numbers (Microsoft_Support_247)
- Account was created recently
- Asking to contact via direct message only
- Few followers for a major company
Need Help Right Now?
If you think you've encountered a scam or may have already been a victim, we're here to help.
In emergency situations involving financial loss, call your bank or credit card company immediately.