Friendly Reminder to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Email Scams
Friendly Reminder to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Email Scams
Scammers use email or text messages to trick you into giving them your personal information. They may try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could gain access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.
Scammers often update their tactics, but some signs will help you recognize a phishing email or text message.
Phishing emails and text messages may look like they’re from a company you know or trust.
They may look like they’re from a bank, a credit card company, a social networking site, an online payment website or app, or an online store, a friend or colleague.
Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. They may
- say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts
- claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information
- say you must confirm some personal information
- include a fake invoice
- want you to click on a link to make a payment
- say you’re eligible to register for a government refund
- offer a coupon for free stuff
Attached are two real-world examples of phishing emails. One from Netflix and one from John Sanders.
Imagine you saw this in your inbox. Do you see any signs that it’s a scam? Let’s take a look.
- The email looks like it’s from a company or person you may know and trust:
In Netflix’s case, it even uses a Netflix logo and header. - The email says your account is on hold because of a billing problem.
- The email has a generic greeting, “Hi Dear.” If you have an account with the business, it probably wouldn’t use a generic greeting like this.
- The email from John Sanders invites you to make a purchase.
While, at a glance, this email might look real, it’s not. The scammers who send emails like this one do not have anything to do with the companies or the person they pretend to be.
What to Do If You Suspect a Phishing Attack
If you get an email or a text message that asks you to click on a link or open an attachment or to make a payment, answer this question:
Do I have an account with the company or know the person that contacted me? Is it their correct email address? Will this person ask me to make purchases?
If the answer is “No,” it could be a phishing scam. If you see them, report the message and then delete it.
If the answer is “Yes,” contact the company using a phone number or website you know is real. Not the information in the email. Attachments and links can install harmful malware.
What to Do If You Responded to a Phishing Email
If you think a scammer has your information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, go to IdentityTheft.gov. There you’ll see the specific steps to take based on the information that you lost.
If you think you clicked on a link or opened an attachment that downloaded harmful software, update your computer’s security software. change your password and run a scan.
How to Report Phishing
If you got a phishing email or text message, report it. The information you give can help fight the scammers.
Step 1. If you got a phishing email, forward it to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at reportphishing@apwg.org. If you got a phishing text message, forward it to SPAM (7726).
Step 2. Report the phishing attack to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.
Report abuse to Google fill up this form: support.google.com/mail/contact/abuse
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