Phishing is one of the most common and dangerous cyber threats in the workplace. It happens when cybercriminals send fake emails that try to trick you into clicking a bad link, giving away your password, or opening a malicious file.

You don’t need to be in IT to recognize a phishing attempt—you just need to know what to look for. In this post, we’ll show you 7 red flags that can help you quickly spot a suspicious email before it causes damage.

1. The Email Creates a Sense of Urgency

Phishing emails often try to panic you into acting fast. For example:

"Your account will be locked in 30 minutes. Click here to verify now!"

This kind of pressure is a classic trick to get you to act before thinking. Legitimate companies rarely ask you to respond immediately or threaten to shut down your account.

Tip: Take a deep breath. Don’t rush. Read the email carefully.

2. The Sender’s Email Address Looks Suspicious

A phishing email may appear to come from someone you know, but the actual sender’s address can be off. For example:

support@micr0soft-service.com (notice the “0” instead of “o”)
john.smith@company-security.org instead of your company’s real domain

Always double-check the email address. If it looks strange, don’t trust it.

Tip: Hover over the sender’s name to reveal the full email address.

3. Poor Spelling, Grammar, or Design

Legitimate companies usually write clear, professional messages. Phishing emails often have:

Bad grammar
Weird phrasing
Low-quality logos or formatting

These mistakes can be a major clue that the message isn’t real.

Tip: If an email looks sloppy or unprofessional, treat it with caution.

4. Suspicious Links or Attachments

Phishing emails often include links to fake websites that look real but steal your information. Or they may contain infected attachments.

Before you click:

Hover over any link and check the full URL
Look for misspelled domain names or odd website addresses

Tip: Never open attachments or click links unless you're 100% sure they’re safe.

5. The Email Asks for Personal or Financial Info

No legitimate company will ask for your password, credit card number, or banking info via email.

If an email asks for sensitive information—even if it looks official—it’s likely a scam.

Tip: When in doubt, contact the company directly using a phone number or website you trust.

6. It Pretends to Be Someone You Know or Trust

Phishing emails often pretend to be from a manager, co-worker, or supplier. They might say things like:

"Can you process this urgent payment today?"

Always be careful when an unexpected request comes from someone “important.” Even if the name looks familiar, confirm through another channel before responding.

Tip: A quick phone call or Teams message can prevent a major security mistake.

7. Something Just Feels Off

Trust your gut. If an email feels strange or too good (or bad) to be true, it probably is.

Phishing attempts often rely on manipulating your emotions—fear, curiosity, urgency, or greed.

Tip: When in doubt, report the email to your IT or security team.

Final Thoughts

Phishing is a serious threat—but with a little awareness, you can stay one step ahead. Always take a moment to inspect the email carefully before clicking anything. Regularly update your knowledge about phishing tactics, as they evolve over time. Consider sharing this information with colleagues to help them stay safe too. And remember: it’s better to ask for help than to assume everything’s fine.

How to Identify Phishing Emails: 7 Critical Red Flags