That email from your bank looks real. The text message from "Amazon" seems urgent. The call from "Microsoft Support" sounds professional. They’re all fake.
Phishing scams are everywhere, and they’re getting scarier good. These scammers aren’t just sending obvious "Nigerian prince" emails anymore. They’re using real company logos, copying legitimate email formats, and exploiting current events to trick you.
The worst part? Even tech-savvy people fall for these scams. One wrong click can drain your bank account, steal your identity, or lock you out of your accounts. But once you know what to look for, these scams become obvious.
What Is Phishing (And Why It’s Called That)?
Phishing is when scammers pretend to be someone trustworthy to steal your information. The name comes from "fishing"—they cast out bait and wait for someone to bite.
The bait usually comes through:
- Email (the classic method)
- Text messages (called "smishing")
- Phone calls (called "vishing")
- Social media messages
- Fake websites that look real
What they want:
- Your passwords
- Credit card numbers
- Social Security number
- Bank account access
- Personal information they can sell
The Uncomfortable Truth About Phishing
Let’s look at some facts that might scare you (but need to be said):
- 91% of all cyberattacks start with a phishing email
- 1 in 4 people who receive a phishing email will click on it
- The average phishing scam costs victims $3,500
- It takes less than 60 seconds from clicking a link to being compromised
- 65% of organizations experienced successful phishing attacks in 2023
The scariest part? Your personal information is already out there. Data breaches have exposed billions of email addresses, phone numbers, and passwords. Scammers use this leaked data to make their attacks more convincing.
The Most Common Phishing Scams Right Now
Knowing the popular scams helps you spot them. Here’s what’s trending:
1. The Fake Package Delivery
You get a text: "Your package can’t be delivered. Click here to reschedule."
But you’re not expecting a package (or maybe you are, which makes it more convincing). You click the link, and boom—malware downloads to your phone or they steal your credit card info on a fake website.
2. The "Account Suspended" Panic
Email subject: "Your account has been suspended. Verify now to restore access."
The email looks like it’s from Netflix, PayPal, your bank, or any service you use. There’s a big, urgent "Verify Now" button. The goal is to panic you into clicking before you think.
3. The Too-Good-To-Be-True Offer
"Congratulations! You’ve won a $1,000 Amazon gift card! Click here to claim."
You didn’t enter any contest. You didn’t win anything. This is just bait to get you to enter your personal information on a fake website.
4. The Boss’s Urgent Request
You get an email that looks like it’s from your boss or CEO: "I need you to wire $5,000 immediately for an urgent business expense."
This is called "business email compromise." The scammer researched your company and is impersonating someone in power to create a sense of authority and urgency.
5. The Tech Support Scam
A popup appears: "Your computer is infected with 27 viruses! Call this number immediately!"
Or you get a call from "Microsoft" or "Apple" saying they’ve detected problems with your computer. Real tech companies never call you out of the blue about computer problems.
6. The Sextortion Scam
You get an email claiming someone has hacked your webcam and recorded you in compromising situations. They demand payment in Bitcoin to keep the video private.
This is almost always fake. They have no video. They’re counting on embarrassment to get you to pay without thinking. Delete the email and move on.
How to Spot a Phishing Email (The Checklist)
Let’s get practical. When you receive an email, ask yourself these questions:
Red Flag #1: Suspicious Sender Address
Look carefully at the "From" email address. Scammers make addresses that look real at first glance.
Legitimate: service@amazon.com
Phishing: service@amazn.com (notice the missing ‘o’)
Legitimate: noreply@paypal.com
Phishing: noreply@paypal-secure.com
Hover over the sender’s name (don’t click) to see the actual email address. That’s where the truth is.
Red Flag #2: Generic Greetings
Legitimate companies use your name.
Legitimate: "Hi Sarah,"
Phishing: "Dear Customer," "Dear User," "Dear Account Holder"
If they don’t know your name, they probably don’t know you at all.
Red Flag #3: Urgency and Threats
Scammers want you to panic and act fast. They use phrases like:
- "Your account will be closed in 24 hours"
- "Immediate action required"
- "Verify now or lose access"
- "Suspicious activity detected"
- "Final warning"
Real companies give you time to resolve issues. They don’t threaten you.
Red Flag #4: Suspicious Links
Never click links in suspicious emails. Instead:
- Hover your mouse over the link (don’t click)
- Look at the URL that appears
- Does it match the company’s real website?
Legitimate: https://www.amazon.com/…
Phishing: http://amaz0n-secure.xyz/…
Notice the tricks:
- Using zero instead of ‘o’
- Adding extra words like "secure" or "verify"
- Using .xyz or other weird domains instead of .com
- Using "http" instead of "https"
Red Flag #5: Attachments You Weren’t Expecting
Never open attachments from unexpected emails, even if they look like they’re from someone you know. These attachments often contain viruses or malware.
If your friend sends you a random invoice.pdf or document.docx, call them first to verify they actually sent it.
Red Flag #6: Requests for Personal Information
Real companies never ask for:
- Your password
- Social Security number
- Credit card details
- Bank account numbers
…through email, text, or calls. They already have this information if you’re actually their customer.
Red Flag #7: Poor Grammar and Spelling
Legitimate companies have professional writers and editors. Look for:
- Weird phrasing: "You account has be suspended"
- Random capitalization: "Please Verify Your Information"
- Misspelled words: "confrim" instead of "confirm"
How to Spot a Phishing Text Message
Text message scams are exploding because people trust texts more than emails. Here’s how to spot them:
Red Flag #1: Unknown Sender
If the text isn’t from a contact you recognize, be suspicious. Even if it says "UPS" or "USPS," that’s just a name they typed in.
Red Flag #2: Shortened Links
Texts use shortened links like bit.ly/xyz123. You can’t see where these links go before clicking. Scammers love this.
Safe approach: Instead of clicking, go directly to the company’s website or app yourself.
Red Flag #3: The Message Doesn’t Match Your Activity
You get a text about a package, but you didn’t order anything. You get a bank alert, but that’s not your bank. Trust your gut.
How to Spot a Phishing Phone Call
Phone scammers are professional actors. They sound calm, authoritative, and convincing. Here’s how to catch them:
Red Flag #1: They Called You
Real tech support never calls you. Real banks rarely call you. Real government agencies send letters, not phone calls.
If you’re unsure, hang up and call the company back using the number on their official website.
Red Flag #2: They Ask for Remote Access
"I need to remote into your computer to fix the problem."
Never give anyone remote access to your device unless YOU called THEM for help and verified they’re legitimate.
Red Flag #3: They Demand Immediate Payment
"You owe back taxes. Pay now with gift cards or face arrest."
Government agencies don’t demand gift cards. Legitimate businesses don’t demand iTunes cards or Bitcoin. This is always a scam.
Red Flag #4: They Threaten Legal Action
"This is your final notice before we arrest you."
Real legal issues come through certified mail, not random phone calls. And law enforcement doesn’t call to warn you about your impending arrest.
What To Do If You Click a Phishing Link
Don’t panic, but act fast:
Step 1: Disconnect From the Internet (Immediately)
If you’re on WiFi, turn it off. If you’re on your phone’s data, enable airplane mode. This stops any malware from spreading or calling home to the attackers.
Step 2: Change Your Passwords (Important Accounts First)
Change passwords for:
- Your email
- Your bank
- Any account you entered credentials for
Use a different device if possible, since your compromised device might have keyloggers.
Step 3: Scan for Malware
Run a full antivirus scan. For phones, consider factory reset if you downloaded anything.
For computers:
- Windows: Use Windows Defender or Malwarebytes
- Mac: Use Malwarebytes for Mac
Step 4: Monitor Your Accounts
Check your bank statements, credit cards, and credit report for unusual activity. You can get a free credit report from annualcreditreport.com.
Step 5: Enable Two-Factor Authentication
If you haven’t already, enable 2FA on all important accounts. This protects you even if your password gets compromised.
Step 6: Report the Phishing Attempt
- Phishing emails: Forward to the FTC at spam@uce.gov
- Phishing texts: Forward to 7726 (SPAM)
- Phishing calls: Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
How to Verify If a Message Is Real
When in doubt, use these verification methods:
Method 1: Go Direct
Don’t click links in emails or texts. Instead:
- Close the email or text
- Open your browser
- Type the company’s website directly (amazon.com, paypal.com, etc.)
- Log in there to check if there are any real alerts
Method 2: Call the Company
Use the phone number on the back of your credit card or the official website. Don’t use any numbers in the suspicious message.
Method 3: Check Your Account Directly
Log into your account through the official app or website. If there’s a real problem, you’ll see it there.
Teaching Others to Avoid Scams
Your older relatives are prime targets for scammers. They’re less familiar with digital threats and more trusting. Share these simple rules with them:
- Never click links in emails or texts from unknown senders
- Never give out passwords, even to "tech support"
- Hang up on unexpected calls asking for money or personal info
- When in doubt, call a family member before doing anything
Set up their accounts with strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Becoming their tech support is better than helping them recover from identity theft.
Creating a Phishing Defense System
Don’t just react to scams—prevent them:
Defense Layer 1: Email Filtering
Use email providers with good spam filters:
- Gmail (excellent filtering)
- Outlook (decent filtering)
- Apple Mail (basic filtering)
Mark phishing emails as spam. This trains the filter.
Defense Layer 2: Browser Protection
Modern browsers warn you about suspicious websites:
- Chrome
- Firefox
- Safari
- Edge
Never disable these warnings, no matter how much the website insists.
Defense Layer 3: Password Manager
Use a password manager like Bitwarden, 1Password, or LastPass. Here’s why this helps with phishing:
If you visit a fake PayPal site, your password manager won’t autofill your password because it knows the URL is wrong. This is a great early warning system.
Defense Layer 4: Education
The best defense is awareness. Stay informed about current scams. Follow security experts on social media. When you see a new scam, tell your friends and family.
The Bottom Line
Phishing scams succeed because they exploit human psychology: urgency, fear, greed, and trust. Once you understand the patterns, these scams become easy to spot.
Remember:
- Slow down – Scammers want you to act without thinking
- Verify independently – Use official websites and phone numbers
- Trust your instincts – If it feels off, it probably is
- Never be embarrassed – Even security experts almost fall for good scams sometimes
You’re not stupid for clicking a phishing link. You’re human. Scammers spend their entire day perfecting these tricks. What matters is what you do after clicking: act fast, change passwords, enable 2FA, and learn from it.
Stay suspicious. Stay safe.