Common Phishing Scams and How to Avoid Them
Phishing scams are one of the most dangerous and common cyber threats, designed to trick you into giving up personal information, passwords, or financial details. Attackers disguise themselves as trusted organizations or people to deceive you into clicking malicious links, downloading malware, or sending sensitive data.
🚀 Brought to you by Axio Networks, an award-winning managed IT provider in Scottsdale, Arizona. We help businesses and individuals strengthen cybersecurity to prevent phishing attacks.
📌 What is Phishing?
✔ Phishing is a cyberattack where scammers pretend to be legitimate organizations to steal sensitive information.
✔ They use emails, phone calls, text messages, or fake websites to trick victims.
✔ The goal is to get you to click a malicious link, download a harmful file, or enter personal information.
✅ If something feels “off” about a message, it could be phishing!
📌 Common Phishing Scams and How to Avoid Them
1. Fake Email from a Bank or Financial Institution
🚨 What It Looks Like:
✔ An email claiming to be from your bank, PayPal, or credit card company.
✔ Urgent message like “Your account has been locked! Click here to verify.”
✔ A link to a fake login page that steals your credentials.
✔ How to Avoid It:
✅ Never click links in unexpected banking emails—log in directly on the bank’s official website.
✅ Call your bank using the number on your card to verify the message.
2. CEO Fraud / Business Email Compromise (BEC)
🚨 What It Looks Like:
✔ An email from a “CEO, manager, or coworker” asking for a wire transfer or gift card purchase.
✔ Says it’s urgent and confidential to discourage verification.
✔ How to Avoid It:
✅ Always verify unusual requests by calling the person directly.
✅ Enable email filtering to detect spoofed emails.
3. Fake Microsoft 365 or Google Login Page
🚨 What It Looks Like:
✔ An email from “Microsoft 365” or “Google” warning of unusual login activity.
✔ A fake link to a login page that looks real but steals your password.
✔ How to Avoid It:
✅ Check the sender’s email address—Microsoft or Google won’t send alerts from random domains.
✅ Hover over links before clicking—if it doesn’t go to an official site, don’t click!
4. Fake Package Delivery Scams (UPS, FedEx, USPS, Amazon)
🚨 What It Looks Like:
✔ A text or email from “UPS, FedEx, or Amazon” about a missed delivery.
✔ A link asking you to reschedule delivery or track your package.
✔ The link installs malware or asks for payment details.
✔ How to Avoid It:
✅ Only track packages on official carrier websites.
✅ Never enter personal details from an unexpected delivery message.
5. Fake Tech Support Calls or Pop-Ups
🚨 What It Looks Like:
✔ A pop-up warning that your computer is infected with a virus.
✔ A message to “Call Microsoft Support” or “Fix Immediately”.
✔ A scammer on the phone asking for remote access to your computer.
✔ How to Avoid It:
✅ Microsoft, Apple, and Google will NEVER call you for support.
✅ If a pop-up appears, close the browser—never call the number listed.
6. Fake Job Offers or HR Emails
🚨 What It Looks Like:
✔ An email from a recruiter or HR department about a job opportunity.
✔ A link to upload personal details, resumes, or bank info.
✔ A scammer offering a fake remote job with an upfront payment request.
✔ How to Avoid It:
✅ Verify recruiters by searching for them on LinkedIn or the company website.
✅ Never share sensitive information over email or messaging apps.
7. Fake Subscription Renewal Scams
🚨 What It Looks Like:
✔ An email saying “Your Netflix, Amazon, or Spotify subscription is expiring”.
✔ A link to “renew” your account that leads to a fake login page.
✔ How to Avoid It:
✅ Log in to your subscription service directly from their official website.
✅ If unsure, check your payment history to confirm your subscription is active.
8. Fake IRS or Government Scams
🚨 What It Looks Like:
✔ A phone call, email, or text from the IRS, Social Security, or law enforcement.
✔ Threats of legal action, fines, or arrest if you don’t send money immediately.
✔ How to Avoid It:
✅ The IRS never contacts people by phone or email—ignore the message.
✅ Never share Social Security numbers or bank details over the phone.
9. Fake Charity Scams
🚨 What It Looks Like:
✔ An email asking for urgent donations after a natural disaster or crisis.
✔ A fake charity website that collects your credit card info.
✔ How to Avoid It:
✅ Donate only to verified organizations like Red Cross or local charities.
✅ Check the official charity website before donating.
10. Fake Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter Security Alerts
🚨 What It Looks Like:
✔ A message saying “Your account will be deleted unless you verify your identity.”
✔ A link to a fake login page to steal your password.
✔ How to Avoid It:
✅ If you receive a suspicious message, go to the official website and check your security settings.
✅ Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) for extra protection.
📌 What to Do If You Encounter a Phishing Scam
✔ DO NOT click links or open attachments.
✔ DO NOT enter personal information.
✔ Mark the email as spam and report it to your IT team or email provider.
✔ If you clicked a phishing link, change your password immediately and enable MFA.
✅ Staying cautious and verifying messages can prevent phishing attacks!
📌 How to Stay Safe from Phishing Scams
✔ Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) – Prevents hackers from accessing your accounts.
✔ Use a password manager – Helps protect against credential-stuffing attacks.
✔ Educate employees on phishing awareness – Regular training helps prevent data breaches.
✔ Keep software and browsers updated – Security patches prevent malware infections.
✔ Verify all emails and links – If it seems suspicious, double-check before taking action.
✅ Being cautious and verifying suspicious emails is the best way to prevent phishing attacks!
💡 Axio Networks Pro Tip
For business users, implementing phishing-resistant MFA, email filtering tools, and employee security training helps reduce the risk of phishing-related breaches. Need help securing your organization? Axio Networks provides expert cybersecurity solutions—contact us today! 🚀