How to Spot a Phishing Email: 7 Red Flags to Watch Out For

Phishing emails are getting scarily good.

They’re no longer the obvious scams with broken English and requests for “urgent money transfers.” Today’s phishing emails look like real emails from real companies—sometimes even from your boss.

Click the wrong link, and suddenly hackers have access to your accounts, sensitive data, or even your entire business network.

So how do you spot a phishing attempt before it’s too late?

Here are 7 red flags to watch out for.


1. The Email Creates a Sense of Urgency
Hackers want you to panic and act fast before you think things through.

Look for phrases like:

“Your account will be locked in 24 hours!”
“Immediate action required—update your password now.”
“Final warning: Payment overdue!”
Legitimate companies don’t threaten customers like this. If you get an email demanding urgent action, take a deep breath and verify before clicking anything.


2. The Sender’s Email Address Looks… Off
At first glance, the email might look like it’s from Amazon, PayPal, or even your IT department.

But look closely at the sender’s email address.

A phishing email might come from:

support@amaz0n.com (instead of support@amazon.com)
admin@pay-pal-security.com (instead of admin@paypal.com)
helpdesk@yourcompany-it.com (instead of helpdesk@yourcompany.com)
One tiny letter or domain change is all it takes. Always verify the sender before clicking links or downloading attachments.


3. The Links Don’t Match the Real Website
Hover over any link in the email (DON’T CLICK IT!) and see where it actually leads.

If the email says “Reset your PayPal password here” but the link leads to something-weird.com/paypal-login, it’s a scam.

Legit companies never ask you to reset your password through a random link in an email. If in doubt, go directly to the official website instead of clicking.


4. The Email Asks for Personal Information
No real company will email you asking for:

Your password
Your Social Security number
Your banking details
Your two-factor authentication codes
If an email asks for anything sensitive, it’s almost always a scam. Legitimate businesses never ask for personal data via email.


5. Unexpected Attachments
Didn’t expect an email attachment? Don’t open it.

Phishing emails often contain infected PDFs, Word documents, or ZIP files that install malware the second you open them.

If the email says “Invoice Attached” but you weren’t expecting an invoice, verify with the sender before opening anything.


6. Poor Grammar and Strange Formatting
Phishing emails are getting better, but many still have awkward wording, random capitalizations, or weird formatting.

Example:
“Dear Customer, Your account are at risk please confirm informations to avoid suspended.”

No real company writes like this. If an email looks off, trust your gut.


7. The Email Doesn’t Sound Like the Person Sending It
If you get an email from your boss, a vendor, or IT support that seems out of character, be skeptical.

Would your CEO really send an email saying, “Hey, can you buy $500 worth of gift cards for a client and send me the codes ASAP?”

Probably not.

If an email feels weird, confirm it with a quick phone call or message—before doing anything.


Final Thoughts: When in Doubt, Verify!
Hackers rely on human error. They trick you into acting before thinking.

If something feels off, stop, think, and verify.

And remember:
✅ Never click suspicious links
✅ Never share sensitive information via email
✅ Always verify unexpected requests through another method

Phishing scams aren’t going anywhere—but now, you know how to spot them.