5 Common Signs of Phishing Emails and How to Protect Yourself

Online safety is now more important than ever because of our reliance on connected devices. We face a range of digital threats, including phishing attacks. These scams have become more common and sophisticated, making it harder to protect sensitive information, so it’s essential to stay informed and prepared.
This article breaks down how phishing scams work, the harm they can cause, and how to recognise them. By understanding the common warning signs of phishing emails and learning what steps to take if you encounter one, you can protect yourself from a wide range of security risks.
What Is Phishing?
Phishing involves cybercriminals pretending to be trusted organisations or individuals to steal sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or personal details. They create convincing messages to trick victims into sharing private data or clicking harmful links.
Phishing isn’t limited to emails. It also includes text messages, known as “smishing”, and social media, where attackers use fake profiles or send malicious direct messages. These platforms provide multiple ways for attackers to deceive users and gain access to their information.
The scale of phishing is huge. In 2024, experts estimated that over 3.4 billion phishing emails were sent daily, targeting individuals and organisations. This volume highlights how widespread and severe the threat has become.
Learning to identify phishing attempts is your best defence. Understanding how attackers operate and recognising common warning signs can help you better protect your personal information.
5 Signs of Phishing Emails
If you’re worried about falling victim to phishing emails, here are five common signs to look out for:
1: Suspicious Sender Addresses
Phishing attackers often create fake email addresses to trick users. They use domain spoofing to mimic trusted domains by making small changes. For example, they might replace an “o” with a “0” or add extra letters, turning “company.com” into “c0mpany.com” or “companny.com.” These minor alterations can be hard to spot, especially if you’re in a rush.
To protect yourself, always double-check the sender’s email address. Hover over it or paste it into a search engine to confirm it’s legitimate. Actual companies won’t use altered domains; if something seems off, investigate further.
2: Urgent or Threatening Language
Be cautious of emails that use urgent or threatening language. Phishing attackers frequently include phrases like “your account will be suspended,” “immediate action required,” or “final notice!” These messages are designed to create a sense of panic that compels victims to act hastily without verifying the information.
Common scams include tax fraud, where phishing emails warn of severe penalties unless immediate payment is made. Another common one is missed delivery scams, with emails claiming that packages will be returned if details aren’t urgently verified. These tactics pressure you into clicking malicious links, sharing sensitive data, or downloading harmful attachments.
It’s important to remember that legitimate organisations rarely demand immediate action by email, especially for sensitive matters like taxes. Staying calm and double-checking claims can help you avoid the trap of urgency-based phishing scams. Remember, careful verification is your best defence against these tactics.
3: Poor Grammar and Spelling
Since many phishing attempts are created by global operations using automated tools or non-native speakers, phishing emails often include noticeable spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.
Common signs include inconsistent capitalisation, awkward phrasing, unusual punctuation, or apparent typos. For example, you might see messages like “Please verify your acount” or poorly written sentences that sound overly formal.
Legitimate organisations, especially large or well-known ones, carefully review their emails to ensure they are professional and error-free. These types of mistakes are rare in official emails. If you receive a poorly written email, treat it as a warning sign. While not every typo means an email is fake, it’s always better to be cautious.
4: Unusual Attachments or Links
Be cautious of emails with strange attachments or suspicious links—they are common tricks cybercriminals use to spread malware or steal personal information. Attachments like .exe, .zip, or .docx files with hidden macros can run harmful programs when opened. Similarly, phishing emails may include fake login pages that look real to trick you into sharing your passwords or personal details.
Avoid downloading attachments from unknown or unexpected senders. In addition, use antivirus tools to scan files for malware before opening them. Double-checking attachments can help better protect your personal information.
5: Requests for Sensitive Information
Legitimate organisations rarely ask for sensitive personal or financial details like passwords, bank account numbers, or social security information by email. If you receive an email requesting this type of information, it’s likely a phishing attempt by cybercriminals trying to steal your data. Sharing such details with unverified senders can lead to serious risks like identity theft or financial fraud.
For example, a scammer might pretend to be your bank and request you “update your account information.” These emails often mimic official branding, using logos and professional language to look legitimate. However, their purpose is to collect sensitive information for malicious use.
To protect yourself, never share sensitive information via email. Legitimate organisations will not ask for it this way. Instead, verify any requests by contacting the organisation directly using official contact details from their website, not the contact information provided in the email.
By staying alert and following these steps, you can protect your personal information and avoid phishing scams.
What to Do If You Open a Phishing Email
It’’s all too easy to inadvertently open a scam email, as some are so convincing. Here are some tips on what to do if you open a phishing email:
- Do not click on any links or open attachments
- Disconnect from the internet
- Run an antivirus scan on your device
- Change your passwords, especially for accounts linked to the email
You should also follow these tips to stay safe:
- Always validate email addresses; genuine companies use consistent, official domains
- Never share sensitive information like passwords or financial details through email
- If you need help, contact the company directly using their official contact info from a trusted source
- Pause and assess before opening any attachments rather than acting on impulse
Taking these steps can prevent phishing attacks and protect your personal information.
Stay One Step Ahead and Protect Your Data
Cybercriminals are constantly creating new phishing scams to trick people into giving away sensitive data. Learning to spot the warning signs and taking simple precautions will help you to protect yourself.
By staying alert and taking a proactive approach, you can keep your information secure and avoid these common scams.