How to Spot a Phishing Email

Sample phishing attempts from suspect “PayPal” email account

Source: Casey Botticello of Stealth Wealth Lifestyle

What is a Phishing Attack?

A phishing attack is a form of social engineering by which cyber criminals attempt to trick individuals by creating and sending fake emails that appear to be from an authentic source, such as a business or colleague. The email might ask you to confirm personal account information such as a password or prompt you to open a malicious attachment that infects your computer with a virus or malware.

Phishing emails often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. They may

• Say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts
• Claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information
• Say you must confirm some personal information
• Include a fake invoice
• Want you to click on a link to make a payment
• Say you’re eligible to register for a government refund
• Offer a coupon for free stuff

What Are Some of the Red flags that an Email May be a Phishing Attack? (with Examples)