According to a 2024 Cyber Threat Report, phishing email statistics suggest that nearly 1.2% of all emails sent are malicious, which in numbers translates to 3.4 billion phishing emails daily. For every 4,200 emails sent, 1 would most definitely be a phishing scam email.
Phishing emails are a sneaky way for scammers to steal your personal information, like passwords, credit card numbers, and even your identity. They try to trick you into thinking the email is from a legitimate source, such as your bank, your credit card company, or even a social media platform. But there are ways to spot these fake emails and protect yourself from falling victim to a scam.
Types of phishing emails to avoid being catphished by scammy emails
Phishing emails come in various forms. Some are obvious, like the ones from a supposed Nigerian prince or a long-lost relative promising a fortune. However, others are more subtle. If you’re not paying attention, you could unknowingly put your business at risk of a cyber threat.
Popular email scams:
- Fake invoices
- Google Doc sharing links
- An email from HR
- An account upgrade
- Suspicious activity on your account
- Paypal notification emails
- Council tax emails
- Job opportunity emails
- Bank emails saying there’s a problem with your account
Red flags to watch out for
- Urgency or threats: Phishing emails often create a sense of urgency, telling you that your account is about to be closed or that you must take action immediately. They may also threaten you with legal action if you don’t do what they say.
- Poor grammar and spelling: Legitimate companies typically have professional writers and editors who ensure their emails are well-written. If an email is full of typos, grammatical errors and overly casual language, it’s a good sign that it’s a scam.
- Suspicious links or attachments: Don’t click on any links or open any attachments in an email unless you’re sure it’s from a legitimate source. Hovering over the link without clicking can reveal the true destination URL, which could be a fake website designed to steal your information.
- Generic greetings: Phishing emails often use generic greetings, such as “Dear Customer” or “Dear Valued User.” A legitimate company would typically know your name and use it in the email.
- Unprofessional design: Phishing emails often look unprofessional, with poor formatting and low-quality graphics. A legitimate company would take the time to make their emails look professional.
- Mismatched sender addresses: The email address of the sender may look like it’s from a legitimate company, but it may be slightly different. For example, the email address might be “[]” instead of “[]”.
- Requests for personal information: Legitimate companies will never ask you for your personal information, such as your password or credit card number, in an email. If an email asks you for this information, it’s a scam.
Think you received a phishing email? Here’s what to do
If you receive an email with any of the above signs, it’s most likely a phishing scam. If an email looks phishy but you aren’t 100% sure, don’t be afraid to ask someone for help in confirming its authenticity.
- Don’t click on any links or open any attachments.
- Delete the email.
- Report the email as phishing to the company or organisation that it’s supposedly from.
- Change your password for any accounts that may have been compromised.
Additional tips for staying safe from phishing emails
Scammers have many tricks to get your email, and being careless with your personal info online won’t make things better. It’s essential to think twice before entering your email on a sketchy website to lower the chance of scammers getting hold of it.
- Be careful about what information you share online. Don’t share your personal information on social media or other websites that you don’t trust.
- Use strong passwords and change them regularly.
- Install a spam filter on your email account.
- Keep your software up to date. This includes your operating system, web browser, and antivirus software.
By being aware of the red flags of phishing emails and taking steps to protect yourself, you can help keep your personal information safe. And remember, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid Being Catphished by Scammy Emails!
For other tips, check out our How To blog page
