How to know a real email from a scam

I'm throwing this into its own thread:

I just came across this link on a blog I frequent. It's a 'phishing scam' IQ test. You look at samples of scam emails and real emails, and take a small test on which is which. Then your responses are scored, you're told which were frauds and which were legitimate, and you're given an explanation for each.

A nice idea, I think.

I missed two; I thought two legitimate emails were scams!

I got 70%: guess I need to work n it a bit, but I erred on the side of caution, calling legit messages frauds.

[A264172]

1 wrong
I origionaly had one down as legitimate but changed it back to fraud which it was not.
Also during edit: (I usualy pitch all e-mail I dont recognise and prefer not to deal with my creditors that way.)

[GermanStar]

To me the bottom line is -- who cares? None of the samples offered say anything I want to hear, so they would all be deleted without a moment's hesitation. Scam or spam -- what's the difference?

[A264172]

Originally Posted by GermanStar

To me the bottom line is -- who cares? None of the samples offered say anything I want to hear, so they would all be deleted without a moment's hesitation. Scam or spam -- what's the difference?

What about this one?

[GermanStar]

It isn't personal, nor does it pertain to our business -- instant trash.

Originally Posted by GermanStar

To me the bottom line is -- who cares? None of the samples offered say anything I want to hear, so they would all be deleted without a moment's hesitation. Scam or spam -- what's the difference?

We had someone here on the forums a few weeks ago who cared, after being taken in by one of these. But by all means, if you think it's a useless thread, have it deleted with my apologies. And merry Christmas!

[GermanStar]

Originally Posted by webwench

We had someone here on the forums a few weeks ago who cared, after being taken in by one of these. But by all means, if you think it's a useless thread, have it deleted with my apologies. And merry Christmas!

Well, no let me apologize for volunteering a personal opinion that all scam and spam is worthless, and ruthlessly prodding you into a passive/aggressive posture. And a merrier Christmas to you!