Phishing email has emerged as a serious and all-too-common threat to our online security. Phishing emails are emails from scammers, cunningly designed to trick people into revealing their login credentials, or other personal information such as bank card details. These fraudulent emails often imitate legitimate communications from trusted sources, exploiting users’ trust to manipulate them into compromising their privacy and security. To bolster your defences against phishing attempts, let’s take a look at 10 crucial red flags to watch out for.

For more information about phishing and smishing scams, including how to report them, check out our comprehensive guide: Protect Yourself from Phishing and Smishing Scams: Red Flags and Prevention Tips.

1. Generic Greetings

Be cautious when an email addresses you with a generic greeting like “Dear Customer” or “User.” Legitimate organizations usually use your name to establish credibility, while phishers resort to generic terms to cast a wider net for their scams.

2. Urgent Language

Cybercriminals thrive on creating panic. If an email claims your account will be suspended or your access revoked unless you act immediately, stay calm, examine it closely, and don’t rush into acting. Scammers use urgency to pressure you into making rash decisions without thinking them through.

3. Suspicious Links

Hover your cursor over links in the email without clicking them, and check them carefully. A phishing email will often contain hidden URLs that direct you to malicious websites, and these can look legitimate with only a quick glance. Check if the URL matches the official website, and be cautious if it looks suspicious, or unfamiliar.

4. Mismatched URLs

A trick that scammers often employ is manipulating website URLs to resemble legitimate ones. Always double-check the URL’s spelling and structure. If something feels off, avoid clicking. Watch out for a full stop (.) character after a genuine domain name – scammers often use subdomains to make a URL look genuine, first glance (e.g. “realcompany.xyz.com/some_page” instead of “realcompany.com/some_page”).

5. Typos and Grammar Errors

Most credible organisations take care in writing their customer communications, and employee professional copywriters and editors. Poor grammar, misspellings, and awkward language in an email are often tell-tale signs of a phishing email.

6. Requests for Personal Information

A reputable company would never ask you to provide sensitive information like passwords, or credit card details via email. If an email solicits this kind of data, it’s almost certainly a phishing email.

7. Unexpected Attachments

If you receive an attachment unexpectedly or from an unknown sender, think very carefully before opening it. Attachments can contain malware that infects your device or compromises your data. Don’t let curiosity get the better of you!

8. Unusual Sender Email Address

Cybercriminals often forge sender email addresses to resemble legitimate ones. Check the sender’s address closely; slight variations or misspellings can reveal a scam.

9. Missed or Fraudulent Calls to Action

Be wary of emails pressuring you to click on links to claim prizes, avoid penalties, or verify accounts. These are often tactics to coerce you into revealing your sensitive information. Don’t let emotion guide you – take the time to think carefully and check details.

10. Trust Your Instincts

OK, so this last point isn’t a red flag – it’s golden advice! Your intuition is a valuable asset. If an email feels a little strange or just too good to be true, it very probably is. If you’re uncertain about the email’s authenticity, contact the organisation through official channels, such as their website, to confirm its legitimacy. Don’t rely on contact information in the email, it might put you in touch with the scammers.

Conclusion

By arming yourself with this understanding, and by maintaining constant vigilance, you can significantly reduce your vulnerability to phishing attacks. Remember to adopt additional security measures like enabling two-factor authentication, updating your devices’ security software, and staying informed about latest phishing tactics. Safeguarding your digital life is a proactive effort, and learning to recognise red flags is your first and most effective line of defence against phishing scams.