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Email Scams Are Not a Thing of the Past

Email scams are, unfortunately, still a major thorn in the side of many. One such type of email scam you may experience is a copyright infringement scam where the perpetrator tries to get you to believe that the pictures you have on your website were stolen. They may ask you to click a link, which can install malware on your computer in order to steal information. This article from Directive outlines the forms in which copyright infringement scams can come and how to detect when you are being scammed. Below are simple things to be on the lookout for when you aren’t sure if you are being scammed.

 

What to Do If You Receive an Email That Is Suspicious

• Do not open it. If you accidentally open it, don’t click on anything in the message.

• Flag it as a Phishing email in your email site or app or just delete it. Note: Phishing is an attempt by the scammer to steal personal information.

 

How to Determine If It's a Phishing Email

• Check for Grammatical Errors – One giveaway is spelling errors, poor grammar, and oddly placed words. Pay attention: if you see a lot of these errors, delete the message or send it to someone you trust about technical issues so they can take a look.

• Check Links Before You Click – Scammers like this often try to conceal URLs leading to malware by showing you a trusted URL in the message. The best practice is to always hover over links in emails before you click. When you do, you’ll see the actual link URL pop up in your browser. This will reveal the true destination of the link, no matter what the linked text says.

• Be Suspicious of Generic Subjects and Greetings – Any messages addressed generically, especially ones regarding financial transactions, are cause for concern. Make sure the message applies to you and something in which you are actually involved.

• Avoid Attachments – You should never open unexpected attachments. If it doesn’t come from a trusted source, just delete the email without even looking.

• Don’t Let Scammers Manipulate Your Emotions – Scam emails will often try to inflame your emotions and fears using threatening language. Some claim to be from a financial institution or even a law enforcement agency threatening dire consequences or arrest if you don’t act quickly. Police don’t email you when they’re about to arrest you, and banks send physical letters whenever there is a financial issue, so don’t be taken in by such scare tactics.

Please Note: The above content was largely quoted from this excellent article from Wedgewood Insurance about copyright infringement, and has just been updated for relevance.

If you have any doubts about the validity of images on your website, contact support. All website images provided in themes and designs we offer utilize images that are legal for you to use on your site. If you have acquired images from the internet, you may actually be using them illegally if you haven’t gotten permission. Read the following section to double-check that you’re on the right track.

 

Ensuring Image Use Legality

• Verify Image Sources - If you use images from the internet, ensure that they are legally licensed. Exceptions may include images from manufacturers you use for marketing purposes and any images listed as being public domain.

• Avoid Unauthorized Use -  Be cautious with images from competitors’ websites or generic internet searches. Companies like Getty Images actively enforce their intellectual property rights and may demand compensation for unauthorized use. Our advice if something like this happens is to consult your attorney on how best to proceed.

 

Ways to Ensure Your Images Are Safe

In addition to using images from the manufacturers of products you sell, the best thing you can do is to take your own photos. Here is an overview on how to take good website images: Beginner's Guide to Taking Great Photos. If you do find an image you want to use for your site that is owned by someone else, be sure to contact them to get permission to use it before doing so, or you can use images that do not have copyright protection.