Stay Safe from Phishing Scams: How to Spot Suspicious Emails

What is Phishing?

Phishing is a type of online scam where criminals pretend to be legitimate organizations to steal personal information, like passwords or credit card numbers. They might make their emails look like they’re from banks, well-known companies, or even family members. Once you click on their links or enter your information, they can gain access to your sensitive data.

How Do Phishing Emails Work?

Phishing emails often use urgency, exciting offers, or threats to make you act quickly. They may look almost identical to real emails from your bank or favorite store, complete with logos and official-sounding language. But look closely, and you’ll often see signs that the email isn’t what it seems.

Let’s go over some examples and tips to help you recognize suspicious emails.

Example 1: A Fake Bank Email

Imagine you receive an email from “your bank” telling you there’s an issue with your account. The email looks official, but the sender’s email address might look like this:

• safety@bank-security.com instead of support@yourbank.com
• customerservice@bankupdate.com instead of customerservice@yourbank.com

How to Spot It:

1. Look closely at the email address, especially the domain name (the part after the “@” symbol). Scammers often create addresses that look almost right but have extra words or small misspellings. For example, instead of @chase.com, a phishing email might come from @chase-bank.com or @chasesupport.com.
2. Watch for unusual words like “safety,” “account,” or “support” in the address. Official bank emails rarely use these before the “@” symbol.

Example 2: The “Prize” Email

Sometimes, phishing emails try to entice you with an offer that seems too good to be true, like a prize. It may look like it’s from a well-known store, but the email address might say:

• walmart-winner@freelotto.com instead of an official @walmart.com address

How to Spot It:

1. Check if the company name is part of the email domain. Well-known companies like Walmart usually have their own domain, like @walmart.com. If the address combines a company name with another domain (like walmart-freelotto.com), it’s likely a scam.
2. Be wary of words like “winner” or “claimnow” in the email address. Legitimate company emails rarely use these kinds of words.

Example 3: Urgent Account Alert

A common trick is to send an “urgent” email that says your account has been locked or there’s been suspicious activity. The sender address may look like:

• helpdesk@paypal-info.com instead of @paypal.com
• alert@bankofamerica-account.com instead of @bankofamerica.com

How to Spot It:

1. Extra words in the domain (like “paypal-info” or “bankofamerica-account”) are a major red flag. Legitimate companies don’t alter their domain names like this.
2. Beware of urgent language designed to make you act quickly without thinking. Phrases like “Immediate Action Required!” or “Account Locked” are classic signs of a phishing scam.

Quick Tips to Recognize Suspicious Email Addresses

Here are some easy rules to help you spot suspicious email addresses at a glance:

• Look for misspellings or small changes: Phishers often make slight changes to domain names, like @amaz0n.com or @micros0ft.com (notice the “0” instead of “o”).
• Avoid clicking on links in emails unless you’re sure they’re from a trusted source. Instead, type the company’s website directly into your browser to check your account.
• Free domains like Gmail or Yahoo in a business email are suspicious. If you get an “official” email from @gmail.com or @yahoo.com instead of the company’s domain, it’s likely a scam.

What To Do If You Suspect a Phishing Email

If something feels off, trust your instincts. Here’s what to do next:

1. Don’t click any links or download attachments from the email.
2. Report the email. Most email providers have options to mark an email as phishing or spam.
3. Delete it. Once you’ve reported it, remove it from your inbox.
4. Double-check by contacting the company directly. If it seems like it might be real, go to the company’s website and find a contact number. Call them to confirm if the email is legitimate.

Staying Safe Online

It may feel overwhelming to keep up with these scams, but staying informed is the best defense. By checking for small details like the sender’s email address and looking for urgent or overly friendly language, you can confidently protect yourself. Share these tips with friends and family so they, too, can stay safe online.

Recognizing phishing emails can seem tricky, but with a bit of practice, you’ll spot the signs quickly. Staying cautious online will help keep your personal information safe—and keep those phishing scammers at bay!