We’re told that if you don’t want to receive specific emails anymore, you should unsubscribe. And 85% of the time that’s true. However there are times that actually, you shouldn’t unsubscribe from that email lists.
Let me explain…
When to avoid using the unsubscribe option
Unsubscribing from an email list can be an good way to reduce the amount of unwanted emails you receive. However, there are certain times where unsubscribing could potentially cause you more harm than good.
Here’s some examples of when you shouldn’t use that unsubscribe option:
When the email is a phishing or scam attempt
This is the biggie, and the one you’ll come across most often.
Phishing and scam emails are designed to look like real messages from a trusted sender, for example as a bank or company you know.
They almost always contain links that you’re expected to click on.
The catch – if you do click, it may open a simple website, but it can actually install malware (malicious software) on your computer. From there they can have access to a range of information from your computer or even grab information as you use apps and programs.
You already know that you shouldn’t click on any links or provide any personal information to these websites.
However, do you know that you also shouldn’t unsubscribe from them?
Why you shouldn’t unsubscribe from spam
If you click on that unsubscribe button a couple of things could be happening.
First you’re clicking on a link – we don’t know what that link is doing (installing software etc), or where it’s taking you.
Second, even if it’s a legitimate unsubscribe link, you’ve just confirmed to the spammers that you’re a real person (anyone else got Pinocchio in their head?) and you’re likely to now receive more spam.
Instead, mark the email as spam or junk (based on your email program) and if possible, report it to the appropriate authorities.
YouTube Video: How To Send Messages To Your Outlook Email Junk
When the email is a security notification
Some emails are sent as security notifications, such as alerts about suspicious activity on your bank account or changes to your password.
It may seem overkill to get an email that says “you’ve just changed your password”, but these types of emails are important and shouldn’t be ignored.
If you receive a security notification email that you believe is legitimate, do not unsubscribe from it.
Instead, follow the instructions in the email to protect your account and your personal information. Or better yet, sign into your account via a web-browser or banking app to follow the instructions.
Of course if you know that it was you making the change, you can delete the message as it’s not needed. (#KeepYourInboxTidy)
When the email is related to a official matter
If you receive an email related to a legal matter, such as a notice to appear in court, you really do not want to click on the unsubscribe button.
These types of emails are often time-sensitive and require a response from you. Contact the sender directly or consult with a lawyer to ensure that you are following the appropriate legal procedures.
In these cases (no pun intended), it’s important to be cautious and think twice before clicking on the unsubscribe button.
Instead, take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your personal information.
What to do instead of unsubscribing
If you encounter a situation where you shouldn’t use the unsubscribe option, there are other actions you can take to protect yourself from potential harm. Here are some alternatives to unsubscribing:
Mark the email as spam or junk
If you receive an email that you suspect is a phishing or scam attempt, the best course of action is to mark it as spam or junk. This will help train your email provider’s spam filter and prevent similar emails from reaching your inbox in the future.
Report the email to the appropriate authorities
If you receive an email that you believe is a phishing or scam attempt, you should report it to the appropriate authorities. This can include your email provider, the legitimate company (most banks and large companies have an email address that you can forward the email to) or the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG).
By reporting these emails, you are helping to protect others from falling victim to similar scams.
Contact the sender directly
If you receive an email related to a legal matter, such as a notice to appear in court or a subpoena, you should contact the sender directly to ensure that you are following the appropriate legal procedures. This could include contacting your lawyer or the court directly to verify the legitimacy of the email.
In any situation where you’re unsure about the legitimacy of an email, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and take steps to protect yourself.
Tips for protecting yourself from unwanted emails
While unsubscribing from email lists can be an effective way to reduce email clutter, it’s important to be cautious and protect yourself from potential harm. Here are some tips for protecting yourself from unwanted emails:
Be cautious with your personal information
Be careful about sharing your personal information online, especially with unknown or untrusted sources. Avoid providing your email address to websites or companies that you don’t trust, and always read the privacy policy before sharing your information.
Use a separate email address for subscriptions
Consider using a separate email address specifically for email subscriptions. This can help keep your personal email inbox clutter-free and reduce the risk of phishing or scam attempts.
For more ideas take a look at my post How many email addresses do you need?
Use an email filter or blocker
Most, if not all email providers (Gmail, Outlook, Apple etc.) offer built-in filters or blockers that can help reduce the amount of unwanted emails that reach your inbox. Consider using these features to help keep your inbox organized and free of spam or junk emails.
Regularly review your email subscriptions
Regularly review the email subscriptions you’ve signed up for and unsubscribe from any that are no longer relevant or that you no longer want to receive. This can help keep your inbox organized and reduce the risk of unwanted emails.
Shameless plug for Email Overwhelm Rescue – to take control of your inbox, which include a section on email subscriptions.
Remember if in doubt, always be cautious and think twice before sharing your personal information or clicking on any links in emails.
Next Steps
If you know that you subscribed to a list, unsubscribing is your choice. But in some situations, where you’re not sure, unsubscribing can be harmful.
Mark emails that look suspicious as spam or junk, and simply don’t click on any included links.
If you’re in need of rescuing from too many emails – take a look at my course Email Overwhelm Rescue.
More post on Unsubscribing
When you shouldn’t use the unsubscribe option (current post)
The best way to safely unsubscribe from email lists
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