How to Spot Phishing Emails Before They Trick You

Phishing emails continue to be one of the most common ways cybercriminals try to steal personal information and install malware. Knowing how to recognize these dangerous messages can help protect you online. Here’s what you need to know about spotting phishing scams in your inbox before you get tricked.

Look Closely at the Sender’s Email Address

One of the biggest giveaways of a phishing email is a suspicious sender address. Scammers often try to imitate legitimate companies and organizations, but they rarely get the email address format exactly right.

• Check for misspellings in the name portion of the sender email. For example, an address like service@paypai.com imitates PayPal but contains a misspelling.

• Watch for subdomains that don’t fit. A Wells Fargo email from support@wellsfargo-secure.com should raise red flags.

• Note generic names like support@email-communications.com which are common in phishing scams.

• Verify the domain name matches the company or organization. An Apple email from support@apple.com-security.us contains a non-Apple domain.

Taking a minute to closely inspect the sender’s address can reveal sneaky phishing attempts.

Look for Generic Greetings

Phishing emails often have generic greetings like “Dear user” or “Hello valued customer” because the scammers don’t have your specific name. On the other hand, legitimate companies will often address you directly by name in the greeting.

Of course, keep in mind that some large companies do use generic greetings in their mass marketing emails. But a generic greeting combined with other oddities can strengthen the case for phishing.

Watch for Strange Links and Attachments

Phishing scammers often include links or attachments in hopes you’ll click or download malware. Look for:

• Mismatched links: The text says one thing but the link url points elsewhere. Hover to compare.

• Odd URLs: Unprofessional looking links or excessively long and complex URLs.

• Generic files: Attachments named something vague like document.pdf or photo.jpg.

• UNSOLICITED attachments: Legit companies won’t send you attachments out of the blue.

Any unexpected links or files should be considered extremely suspicious.

Check for Poor Spelling and Grammar

Phishing emails are often riddled with spelling and grammar mistakes. The scammers may not have a strong grasp of English or are in a hurry to blast out emails. Legitimate messages are more likely to be professionally written.

Watch for Alarmist Language and Threats

One of the more obvious red flags of phishing is the use of alarmist language and threats. Scammers want to scare you into clicking without thinking first. Watch for:

• Urgent warnings like your account being closed.

• Threats that you have to act now or face consequences.

• Anything that creates a false sense of urgency or fear.

A legitimate company will rarely threaten you out of the blue. Slow down if an email seems overly pushy.

Check if It’s Requesting Sensitive Information

Lastly, any email that requests sensitive information like passwords, social security numbers, or bank details should be verified before acting. Scammers want this valuable personal data.

Never submit sensitive details via an email link. Always log into the official website separately if an email requests you update information.

Staying vigilant means taking an extra minute to thoroughly inspect emails that seem even a tiny bit off. Letting your guard down can allow scammers to compromise your data before you realize it was a phishing attempt. But spotting the tricks early lets you hit delete and avoid the hassle.