How to Spot a Phishing Email (With Examples)

Introduction: Why Phishing Emails Are Dangerous

Phishing emails are one of the most common cyber threats today. Hackers disguise themselves as trusted companies (like banks, Amazon, or Google) to trick you into revealing passwords, credit card details, or downloading malware.

According to the FBI, phishing scams caused over $10 billion in losses in 2022 alone. The good news? Most phishing emails follow predictable patterns. By learning these red flags, you can avoid falling victim.

Let’s break down the top signs of a phishing email, with real examples to help you spot them.

6 Common Signs of a Phishing Email

1. Urgent or Threatening Language

Phishers create panic to make you act without thinking. Look for:

• Your account will be suspended in 24 hours!
• Immediate action required—verify your identity now!
• Unauthorized login detected—click here to secure your account.

Example:

“URGENT: Your PayPal account has been locked due to suspicious activity. Click below to restore access or your account will be closed permanently.”

🔴 Red Flag: Legitimate companies rarely threaten immediate account closure.

2. Suspicious Sender Address

Always check the sender’s email—not just the display name.

Fake Examples:

• “support@amaz0n.com” (instead of @amazon.com)
• “service@paypa1-security.org” (instead of @paypal.com)
• “no-reply@apple.secure-login.net” (Apple uses @apple.com)

🔴 Red Flag: Misspelled domains or strange extensions (.net, .biz) when the real company uses .com.

3. Generic Greetings

Legitimate companies usually address you by name. Phishing emails often use:

• “Dear Customer”
• “Hello User”
• “Valued Member”

Example:

“Dear Customer, your Netflix subscription has expired. Update your payment details here.”

🔴 Red Flag: If Netflix has your email, they’d use your name.

4. Mismatched Links

Hover over links (don’t click!) to see the real URL.

Example:

“Click here to access your document: [https://drive-google.securelogin.net]”

🔴 Red Flag: The link doesn’t go to google.com—it’s a fake site.

5. Unexpected Attachments

Legitimate companies rarely send random attachments. Be wary of:

• “Invoice_2023.pdf.exe” (Executable files are dangerous)
• “Document_Scan.zip” (Could contain malware)

🔴 Red Flag: If you weren’t expecting a file, don’t open it.

6. Poor Grammar & Spelling

Professional companies proofread emails. Phishing emails often have:

• Odd capitalization (“YOUR aCCOUNT iS at RISK“)
• Misspellings (“Verrify your identitty”)

Example:

“Dear Sir/Madam, We detected suspicous activity in you’re bank account.”

🔴 Red Flag: Obvious errors = likely a scam.

Real Phishing Email Examples

1. Fake Bank Alert

“Chase Bank Alert: Your account has been restricted. Click here to unlock it.”

Sender: support@chase-bank.secure.com

✅ How to Verify: Log in directly via the official Chase website—not the email link.

2. Amazon Prime Scam

“Your Prime membership is expiring! Update payment details to avoid service interruption.”

Sender: membership@amazon-renewals.net

✅ How to Verify: Check your Amazon account directly—don’t click the link.

3. Google Drive “Shared Document”

“John Doe shared a document with you. Click to view.”

Sender: no-reply@drive-share.com

✅ How to Verify: Real Google Drive links come from @google.com.

What to Do If You Receive a Phishing Email

1. Don’t click links or download attachments.
2. Report it (Gmail: Click “Report phishing”; Outlook: “Junk” > “Phishing”).
3. Verify directly—log in to the official website (not via the email).
4. Enable 2FA (Two-factor authentication adds extra security).

Long-Term Protection Tips

• Use email filters (Gmail/Outlook have built-in phishing detection).
• Install antivirus software (Like Malwarebytes or Bitdefender).
• Check data breaches (Use Have I Been Pwned?).
• Educate family/employees—phishing targets everyone.

Conclusion: Stay Vigilant!

Phishing emails rely on urgency, fear, and curiosity. By checking sender addresses, avoiding suspicious links, and staying calm, you can outsmart scammers.

Have you seen a phishing email? Share it in the comments to help others stay safe!