Scammers are getting more clever every day, crafting messages that look so convincing, even the most cautious among us can fall for them. From fake package delivery alerts and overdue bill notices to bogus toll road violations, these scams are designed to catch us off guard in the rush of daily life.
In fact, I recently experienced this firsthand. I received what looked like a routine text message about an unpaid toll. It seemed harmless enough just a few bucks to pay online. I clicked the link and entered my bank info without thinking twice. A short while later, I got the notification no one wants to see: suspicious activity on my account. My bank information had been compromised. My children told me I was officially “old” for falling for it. But, in our fast-paced world, scammers are counting on us moving too quickly to pause and double-check. Their tactics are evolving, so we all need to be vigilant.
On Monday May 19th, NTCA members reported receiving emails that appeared to be from the association. These fraudulent emails included a message regarding an overdue payment. They even used NTCA branding to look official.
It’s all part of a growing trend of email phishing scams, specifically designed to trick professionals into giving up sensitive information or clicking links that lead to malicious websites. It’s not just about getting a quick payment, they are after your identity. These scams aim to collect your name, address, credit card numbers, bank logins, and other personal details that can be used for fraud, including opening accounts in your name or accessing your business systems.
These attacks may look like they come from a trusted source, but they are wolves in sheep’s clothing.
How to protect yourself: tips to stay scam-safe
Here are a few ways to help protect yourself and your business from falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated attacks:
1. Always verify the sender’s email address.
NTCA and most businesses only send communications from their official domain. For the NTCA that is @tile-assn.com or @tileletter.com. We will never email you from public email providers. Be suspicious of any NTCA-related message sent from an address ending in: @gmail.com, @outlook.com, @hotmail.com, @yahoo.com, @icloud.com, @aol.com, @protonmail.com, @mail.com, @gmx.com, @usa.com, @yandex.com, @mail.ru, @vk.com, @qq.com, @163.com, @126.com, or @sina.com.
If you receive a message from any of these domains claiming to represent the NTCA, it is fraudulent. If you are unfamiliar with the company in the email, proceed with caution.
2. Think before you click. If you receive an unexpected email, do not click any links or download any attachments until you verify that the email is legitimate. When in doubt, send us an email or call us directly. Or log into the membership portal to check your payment history and status.
3. Avoid sharing sensitive information. Never respond to email requests for passwords, payment information, or other private data unless you are certain of the sender’s identity.
4. Report suspicious emails. If you suspect you’ve received a scam email, mark it as spam, block the sender, and delete the message. If the NTCA is being misrepresented, you can also report the incident to us, so we can alert other members.
If you’ve been tricked before, don’t feel embarrassed. You’re not alone, I couldn’t believe I submitted my bank information, not even a credit card to protect myself, and I learned my lesson. Even the most tech-savvy among us can fall victim. What matters most is learning from it and protecting ourselves and each other moving forward.
NTCA is here to help
Our team is committed to protecting members from fraud and communicating clearly and securely. If you ever receive an email that doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly at [email protected] or by phone at (601) 939-2071. Scammers rely on confusion and urgency. Our best defense is slowing down, verifying, and staying informed.
Elena Grant
Elena Grant is the Assistant Executive Director of Marketing, Communications and Public Relations for the National Tile Contractors Association and Publisher of its publication TileLetter. Grant has over 20 years of experience leading marketing initiatives, programs, and operational enhancement strategies. As Publisher of TileLetter, she oversees all print and digital communications for the publication.
