Scam artists use emails to deceive you into providing them with your personal information. Every day, scammers launch thousands of attacks, frequently called phishing, like this — and they’re frequently successful.

What is Phishing (Email Scamming)

Phishing is a way for criminals to gain access to your personal information by sending you an email that appears to be from a legitimate source. You might receive this type of email offering free gifts or services, claiming you’ve won a contest, or asking for assistance with locating lost family members after disasters.

The sender’s aim is to get you to reveal personally identifiable information (PII) such as usernames, passwords, credit card numbers, social security numbers, and bank account numbers that can then be used illegally. It can also include instructions on how to do something that could compromise your computer security.   

How to Recognize Phishing

Phishing emails can look like they come from a trustworthy source such as your bank or your friends, but in reality they are messages created by criminals to steal your information. Recognizing a phishing email is the first step in protecting yourself from it.

Phishing emails are messages sent by criminals who hope to take your information, such as your account number and password, in order to access your bank account or steal your credit card information. The messages usually appear to come from a trustworthy source, like your bank or friends, and they often use spamming or phishing tactics to trick you into providing them with your information.

Phishers might say that there is a problem with your bank account, such as insufficient funds, and ask for your help in resolving the issue. They may also send messages asking for personal information, such as passwords or credit card details, because it needs to be updated or verified. Knowing how to recognize the signs of an email fraud message will save you from dealing with serious problems down the line.

The first step toward protecting yourself from a phishing attack is learning how to recognize these email fraud messages before they can do any damage. It only takes one wrong click of a link or one moment spent on a suspicious site to have your information stolen, so it is essential to recognize the signs of phishing messages.

Phishers are getting more sophisticated, which means that their emails may look like they come from a source you trust, like your bank or even an old friend. Here are some things to look out for in order to recognize the signs of a phishing email:

• The sender uses poor spelling and grammar, or doesn’t address you by name.
• The message includes a fake invoice.
• The sender provides you a coupon for free goods or invites you to click on a link to make a payment.
• The message informs you that you may be eligible for a government refund.
• The message requests personal information, such as your password, account number, social security number, etc.
• There’s a sense of urgency to the message; it might, for example, state “Click on this link as soon as possible” or “Reply with this information right away.” These methods encourage people to act before they have time to think.
• The message says they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts.
• The message appears to come from a reputable source with an unfamiliar URL.
• You get the impression that the email was sent to numerous people, and that you’re just one of many recipients.

Take some time to think about where this message might have come from, and if it seems fishy in any way, do not click on any links or reply with your information. Instead, look up the company or organization directly by typing their name into a search engine like Google. Never give your personal information over email under any circumstances.

Who Is At Risk of Phishing Attacks?

Phishing can affect anybody, regardless of age. Now that everyone from the elderly to youngsters uses internet devices, it’s easy for fraudsters to find your contact information and add you to their phishing list.

Your phone number, email address, online messaging IDs, and social media accounts are harder to hide nowadays. That’s why you need to strengthen your security measures and learn how to detect phishing attempts before you become a victim.

How to Protect Yourself from Phishing Attacks

Follow these strategies and best practices to avoid being a victim of phishing scams.

• Protect your computer by keeping your anti-virus software up-to-date, and scan your computer regularly. 
• Automatically update the software on your mobile phone to safeguard it from viruses and other types of malware.
• Multi-factor authentication is one of the best ways to keep your accounts safe. Some accounts, such as those at certain banks, contain additional security by requiring two or more authenticators to log in. This is known as multi-factor authentication.
• Back up your data to ensure that it is safe. Make sure you have multiple backups of your data and that they aren’t linked to your home network.
• Never give anyone your password. Doesn’t matter who asks or why.
• Don’t open any unexpected attachments. They’re used by hackers to send malware or viruses.
• Don’t just click links at random. Make sure the link you’re clicking is correct by hovering over it with your mouse and double-checking the text.
• If you click on an unsolicited link and are immediately redirected to a sign-in page, don’t login.
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Following these guidelines will help you stay one step ahead of the phishers and keep your data secure.

Consider Using a Private and Public Email

Setting up a private email and a public email address can aid in the prevention of spam and phishing assaults.

Private Email – This is only to be used for personal correspondence. Spammers create lists of likely email addresses by mixing obvious names, words, and numbers together, so you should make this address difficult for a spammer to discover.

Public Email – Use this address to register on public forums and chat rooms, as well as subscribe to email lists and other Internet services.

How To Report Phishing

If you received a phishing email, please report it. Your information might aid in the fight against scammers.

Step 1. Forward the suspected phishing email to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org.

Step 2. Report the phishing attack to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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