Common Signs of Phishing Emails

As phishing tactics become more sophisticated, it’s critical for employees to know how to identify potential phishing attempts. Here are some of the most common signs to look out for:

The message creates a sense of urgency

Phishers often try to pressure you into acting quickly by claiming there is some sort of emergency or threatening negative consequences if you don’t comply.

The sender’s email address looks suspicious

Even if a message appears to come from a legitimate organization, always check that the actual email address matches the sender’s claimed identity. Be wary of slight misspellings or extra characters.

The greeting is generic or impersonal

Instead of addressing you by name, phishing emails often use generic greetings like “Dear Customer” or “Hello Sir/Madam.”

There are spelling and grammatical errors. 

Legitimate corporate emails are rarely sent without being proofread. Abundant typos and poor grammar are red flags.

The message makes an offer that seems too good to be true. 

Be extremely skeptical of messages promising free gift cards, tech support, refunds, etc. in exchange for your personal information.

It requests sensitive data. 

No reputable company will ask you to send passwords, credit card numbers, or other private info over email.

If you receive a suspicious email, do not click any links, open any attachments, or reply with any information. When in doubt, contact the supposed sender through a verified phone number or website to confirm the message is legitimate.