Feel Something After Reading That Email? That’s the Red Flag

The Art of Emotional Manipulation in Cybercrime

Here at Aurora InfoTech, we’ve seen it time and again — an email, text, or DM that feels real because it makes you feel something. That’s no coincidence. Scammers are experts at using emotion to override logic.

Maybe you’ve seen one of these messages in your inbox:

“You won our sweepstakes!”
“You’re under arrest!”
“I’ve been recording you.”

Those words are designed to spark an instant reaction — joy, fear, panic, or curiosity. And in that emotional rush, you’re more likely to click before you think.

When Urgency Is the Enemy

Phishing scams rely on urgency.
The message might promise a reward:

• “You’ve won an expensive cooler — respond fast to claim it!”
• “You’re owed money from an old invoice!”

Or it might threaten you:

• “You owe back taxes — call us immediately or face arrest!”
• “I’m your boss, texting from a new number — send me your bank info now!”
• “Your account’s been hacked — pay up before it’s too late!”

These messages all share one goal: to make you act before you think.

Here in Orlando and across Central Florida, small business owners and professionals are frequently targeted because scammers know that quick decisions are common in fast-paced industries.

How to Tell If You’re Being Manipulated

Ask yourself these three questions before you click anything:

1. Is this message causing strong feelings — excitement, fear, or urgency?
2. Is it unexpected or out of place?
3. Is it asking me to do something — click a link, make a payment, or verify personal info?

If the answer to any of those is “yes,” pause immediately.

What To Do When Emotions Take Over

At Aurora InfoTech, we recommend the “Don’t Click, Report, Delete” rule:

1. Don’t click anything.
   • Not even “Unsubscribe.”
2. Report the email or text as phishing.
3. Delete it immediately.
4. Block the contact number or sender address.

This simple habit can save you — and your business — from identity theft, ransomware, and financial loss.

The Rise of “Wrong Number” Scams

One of the newest scams sweeping through Central Florida is the “slow burn” approach — the friendly wrong number.

It starts innocently enough:

“Hey, how r u?”
“Do you have any dentist recommendations?”
“It was great seeing you last night!”

These messages aren’t just awkward — they’re bait. Scammers are trying to start a conversation, gain your trust, and lead you into a future scam.

Our advice? Don’t respond. Don’t even say “wrong number.” Just block and move on. It’s not rude — it’s smart Cybersecurity hygiene.

Stay One Step Ahead of Scammers

Emotional manipulation is one of the most powerful weapons in a cybercriminal’s toolkit — but awareness is your best defense.

At Aurora InfoTech, we help Orlando and Central Florida businesses train their teams to spot phishing, secure their communications, and build cyber resilience.

Don’t let emotion drive your clicks — let strategy guide your defense.

Call us today at (407) 995-6766 or CLICK HERE to schedule your free discovery call.