Here is a lesson in the kind of SPAM that AI can generate. It is very well crafted and almost fooled one of our clients into sending almost $50,000 to a hacker. Here is the redacted version of the email:

Using the Slam Method

Spam emails often disguise themselves as legitimate business communication, especially when involving payments. Below is a breakdown of how to use the SLAM method to identify red flags in a suspicious email like the example provided.

S: Sender Details

Verify the sender’s email address and domain for authenticity. In this case, the sender’s domain “sequoits.com” is unusual compared to the company’s expected domain, which raises suspicion.

L: Links and Addresses

Check the email addresses mentioned for accuracy. For example, the email uses “first.last@companyname.com” which does not exist, while the real address is “first@companyname.com” This mismatch is a strong indicator of spam.

A: Attachments and Amounts

Be cautious about unexpected invoices or payment requests. The invoice number and amount ($49,130) should be cross-verified with company records before any payment is processed.

M: Message Content and Tone

Look for urgency and unusual requests. The email pressures the recipient to process an overdue payment quickly, a classic tactic used in phishing or scam emails.

By carefully analyzing these elements using the SLAM method, businesses can avoid falling victim to phishing scams and fraudulent invoice schemes.

To protect your business from phishing scams and fraudulent invoices, learn how Farmhouse Networking can strengthen your email security and payment verification processes. Contact us today at support@farmhousenetworking.com for expert solutions tailored to safeguard your company’s financial communications.