How to Spot a Phishing Email

Phishing is a common way scammers try to steal information or gain access to personal and business accounts. Learn to spot the signs before you click.

Reviewed July 10, 2026

Common Indicators of Phishing

Scammers try to deceive you by impersonating banks, delivery services, utility companies, or even coworkers. Keep an eye out for these red flags:

• Urgent or Threatening Wording: Claims that your account will be locked, a package cannot be delivered, or you owe money immediately.
• Suspicious Sender Address: The name on the email might look official, but clicking or hovering over the name reveals an unrelated sender domain (e.g., support@bank-security-update-help.net instead of support@bank.com).
• Mismatched Links: Hover your cursor over links (without clicking) to inspect the destination URL. If it directs you to a completely different web domain, do not click.
• Generic Greetings: Using "Dear Customer" or "Valued Member" rather than your actual name is common in bulk spam campaigns.

What to Do if You Receive a Suspicious Message

1. Do not click any links or download attachments.
2. Verify independently: If a message claims to be from your bank or utility provider, go to their official website or call the number printed on your invoice or statement—do not use any details listed in the email.
3. Report and delete: Mark the message as spam/phishing in your email program to help filters catch it next time.

Sources

• CISA: Recognize and Report Phishing
• FTC: How To Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams

Need help setting up spam filters or reviewing your organization's security practices? Decker Tech Services provides practical, security-minded consulting for homes and small businesses in the Highland, Illinois area.