The Top 5 Red Flags of a Phishing Email (And How to Avoid Falling for Them)

phishing scam

Hey, have you ever received an email that just didn’t sit right? Maybe it claimed you’d won a prize you never entered for, or that your account was “suddenly” locked—when you hadn’t even logged into that account in weeks? Yeah, me too. These are classic signs of phishing, and unfortunately, these scammers are getting craftier by the day.

But don’t worry, we’ve got your back. In this article, we’re going to break down the top 5 red flags of phishing emails so you can spot them from a mile away—and avoid falling for them. Let’s dive in!

1. The “Too Urgent to Be True” Subject Line

Phishing emails love to hit you where it hurts: your sense of urgency. Look out for subject lines like “URGENT: Your Account Has Been Locked!” or “Final Warning: Verify Now or Lose Access.” Scammers use panic to get you to act without thinking. But here’s the thing: legit companies will never pressure you to make snap decisions via email. So, take a deep breath, slow down, and assess the situation before you click on anything.

What to do: If you get an email like this, go directly to the official website or app (without clicking on the email link) and check your account status there. Nine times out of ten, everything’s just fine.

2. Sketchy Email Address

The sender’s email address is often the easiest way to spot a scam. If it claims to be from “Netflix,” but the email address reads something like “[email protected],” it’s probably not legit. Phishing emails often mimic the names of trusted companies but slip in small changes that are easy to miss if you’re not paying attention.

What to do: Always double-check the sender’s email address. If something seems off—even by a letter—delete the email and move on.

3. Poor Grammar and Spelling Mistakes

Okay, we’re all human, and the occasional typo happens. But phishing emails tend to be riddled with grammatical errors and awkward phrasing. If the email looks like it was written by someone who just learned English from a translation app, you’re probably looking at a scam.

What to do: A real company won’t send out emails full of errors. If the writing seems sloppy or just… weird, it’s best to hit that delete button.

4. Suspicious Links or Attachments

Phishing emails usually come packed with links or attachments they want you to click on. These links might direct you to a fake website designed to steal your login details, while attachments might contain malware. Pro tip: Always hover over a link to see where it’s really taking you before clicking. If the URL looks suspicious or unfamiliar, don’t take the bait.

What to do: When in doubt, don’t click. Instead, go directly to the company’s website or contact them through official channels if you need to verify the email.

5. Requests for Personal Information

No legitimate company is going to ask you to provide personal information—like your password or credit card details—over email. If you see a message asking for this info, it’s a huge red flag. Scammers want you to hand over your sensitive data, but companies will always direct you to secure methods, like their official website or app, to update or verify your account.

What to do: Never give out personal information via email. If you’re not sure if the email is legit, again, contact the company directly.

Example of a Phishing Email:

Take a look at this fake Apple email:

phishing email

Here are the red flags that make this email suspicious:

1. Sender’s Email Address

While the email appears to come from Apple, the sender’s address ([email protected]) gives it away. Notice the misspelling of “appel” instead of “apple.” This is a common phishing tactic—using email addresses that look legit but contain small errors to trick you.

2. Suspicious Subject Line

The subject line says, “[Reminder] Your account has been locked for security reason!” The urgency here is meant to make you panic. As we discussed earlier, legitimate companies don’t use scare tactics like this to pressure you into clicking on links.

3. Grammatical Errors

The body of the email is full of awkward phrasing and grammatical errors:

  • “Your accounts has been changed!” should be “Your account has been changed.”
  • “For security reason” should be “For security reasons.”
  • “Please help us to unlock your account with click the button” makes no sense in proper English.

These errors are typical of phishing emails, which are often written by scammers with poor attention to detail.

4. Suspicious Links

The email urges you to “Unlock My Account” by clicking a button, but hovering over this link would likely reveal a URL that’s not associated with Apple. Always double-check where a link is taking you before you click it.

5. Unnecessary Urgency

“If you do not verify your account within 24 hours we will disable your account and all service permanently.”
The urgency here is another classic tactic. Scammers want to stress you out so you act quickly without thinking. A real company would never lock you out of your account this quickly without going through proper verification processes.

6. Copyright Date

The email says “Copyright ©2020 Apple, Inc.” This is another dead giveaway. Why would Apple use outdated copyright information in a 2024 email? Big companies always keep their details up-to-date.

Stay One Step Ahead

Now that you know the red flags, you’re better equipped to spot phishing emails before they hook you. Remember, the best defense is a little skepticism and a lot of caution. If something feels off, trust your instincts and don’t rush to act.

Stay safe out there! Your online security is worth taking the extra time to think before you click.


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