How to Recognize Phishing Emails and Protect Your Information

Don't Take the Bait: How to Recognize Phishing Emails

You open your inbox and see an email claiming there's suspicious activity on your bank account. The message includes a familiar logo, mentions an urgent security concern, and asks you to click a link to verify your information.

It looks legitimate, but how can you be sure?

Phishing scams are designed to make fraudulent messages appear trustworthy. Scammers may impersonate financial institutions, retailers, delivery services, employers, or even people you know to convince you to share sensitive information.

Learning how to recognize suspicious emails and verify unexpected requests can help you protect your personal information, financial accounts, and peace of mind.

What Is an Email Phishing Scam?

Email phishing is a type of online scam where someone sends a fraudulent message designed to trick you into revealing personal information, clicking a malicious link, opening an attachment, or sending money.

These messages often imitate organizations you recognize, using familiar logos, company names, and convincing language.

A phishing email might ask you to:

• Verify your online banking username or password.
• Confirm your debit or credit card information.
• Provide a one-time security code.
• Update payment information for an order or subscription.
• Open an unexpected attachment or invoice.
• Sign in through a link to resolve an account issue.

The purpose is to get you to respond before you've had a chance to verify the request.

How Can You Tell If an Email Is a Phishing Scam?

Phishing messages don't always look suspicious at first glance. Some are professionally written and closely resemble legitimate emails. Knowing what to look for can help you recognize potential warning signs.

1. The message creates a sense of urgency: Scammers often use language that pressures you to respond immediately. You might receive an email claiming your account will be suspended, a payment has failed, or suspicious activity requires immediate attention. An urgent message isn't automatically fraudulent, but pressure to act before verifying the situation is a reason to be cautious.
2. The sender's email address doesn't match the organization:
   An email might display the name of a familiar company while coming from an unrelated address. Look closely at the actual sender address, including the domain after the @ symbol.
   Keep in mind that scammers can also disguise sender information, so a familiar address alone doesn't guarantee that a message is legitimate.
3. You're asked to share sensitive information: Unexpected requests for passwords, Social Security numbers, payment card information, or one-time verification codes should raise concerns. If an email claims to be from your financial institution and asks for sensitive account information, contact the institution directly through an official channel before responding.
4. A link takes you somewhere unexpected: A phishing email may include a button labeled "Verify Account," "Review Transaction," or "Update Payment. "On a computer, hovering over a link can help reveal its destination. On mobile devices, link previews may be available, but you should avoid opening suspicious links just to investigate them. Even if a website looks professional or uses HTTPS, that doesn't guarantee it's legitimate.
5. The email includes an unexpected attachment: Fraudulent attachments may be disguised as receipts, invoices, shipping confirmations, or important documents. If you weren't expecting an attachment, verify its legitimacy with the sender through a separate, trusted communication channel before opening it.
6. The message looks legitimate, but something feels unusual: Phishing emails may contain spelling mistakes or unusual formatting, but scammers can also produce polished, personalized messages. A well-written email with correct branding isn't proof that it's authentic. The safest approach is to verify unexpected requests independently, especially when they involve your money or personal information.

What Does a Phishing Email Look Like?
Scammers use everyday situations to make fraudulent messages seem believable. Here are a few fictional examples that illustrate common phishing tactics.

Example: Fake bank security alert

Subject: Important Security Alert: Verify Your Account
"We detected unusual activity on your account. To prevent temporary restrictions, please verify your identity immediately using the link below."
What to watch for: The message creates urgency and directs you toward an unexpected verification link.
What to do: Open your financial institution's official app or contact it using a phone number you've independently verified.

Example: Unexpected package delivery notice

Subject: Delivery Attempt Unsuccessful
"Your package could not be delivered. Please update your address and submit a small processing fee to arrange delivery."
What to watch for: The message encourages you to provide payment information through an unfamiliar link.
What to do: Check the order or shipment directly through the retailer's or delivery company's official website.

Example: Account password expiration

Subject: Your Email Password Expires Today
"Your account access will be suspended unless you confirm your password immediately."
What to watch for: The message pressures you to enter login credentials on an unfamiliar website.
What to do: Visit your email provider's official website or app to review your account settings.

These examples aren't exhaustive. Scammers regularly change their wording and methods, which is why recognizing the underlying tactics is so important.

What Should You Do If You Receive a Suspicious Email?
If an email seems unusual or asks you to take an unexpected action, you can use a simple process to decide what to do next.

1. Pause before responding. Don't click unfamiliar links, download unexpected attachments, or provide personal information.
2. Check the sender and message. Look for unusual addresses, unexpected requests, and attempts to create urgency.
3. Verify through another channel. Visit the organization's official website, open its trusted app, or call a phone number you already know is legitimate.
4. Report the suspicious email. Use your email provider's phishing reporting feature. You can also forward phishing emails to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at [email protected].
5. Delete the message after reporting it. Once you've confirmed the message is fraudulent and preserved any information needed for reporting, remove it from your inbox.

Remember that legitimate organizations can send important notifications. The safest response to an unexpected request is to verify it independently before taking action.

What Happens If You Click a Phishing Link?
Clicking a suspicious link doesn't necessarily mean your account has been compromised. The next steps depend on what happened after you clicked it.

If you clicked a link but didn't enter information
Close the suspicious page and avoid further interaction.
If the link caused a download or you believe harmful software may have been installed, update your device's security software and run a security scan.

If you entered your password
Change the affected password immediately using the official website or app, preferably from a trusted device. If you've used the same password elsewhere, change it on those accounts too. Enable multi-factor authentication where available and review your account for unfamiliar activity.

If you shared financial information
Contact your financial institution promptly using its official contact information. Explain what information was shared and follow its guidance for protecting your accounts, monitoring transactions, and securing affected cards.

If you shared personal identification information
Visit IdentityTheft.gov for guidance tailored to the type of information exposed. You may need to review your credit reports, place a fraud alert or security freeze, and monitor for unfamiliar accounts. The most important step is to respond based on the information or access that may have been exposed. 

How Can You Protect Yourself Against Future Phishing Attempts?

Developing a few consistent security habits can help reduce your risk.

• Use strong, unique passwords. Avoid reusing passwords across financial, email, and other important accounts. A trusted password manager can help.
• Enable multi-factor authentication: Additional verification can make it harder for someone to access an account using a stolen password.
• Keep your devices updated: Install operating system, browser, app, and security updates to address known vulnerabilities.
• Use trusted websites and apps. Access financial accounts directly instead of relying on links in unexpected messages.
• Review your financial accounts regularly. Check transactions and account activity for anything unfamiliar.
• Use available alerts. Transaction and account notifications can help you stay informed about activity involving your money.

These precautions can help reduce risk, but no single security feature can prevent every scam.

How Can TAPCO Help You Protect Your Financial Information?
TAPCO members have access to digital banking resources that can help them monitor account activity and manage their finances.

Through TAPCO Digital Banking, members can review transactions, access eStatements, and create certain account alerts.

TAPCO also provides multi-factor authentication and mobile banking card controls that allow members to temporarily turn cards off and manage available card settings.

If you receive an unexpected message claiming to be from TAPCO, don't share your banking password or verification codes.

Instead, contact TAPCO directly using trusted contact information. Explore TAPCO's Fraud & Security Resources. 

• Report the email through your email provider's phishing or spam reporting tools.
• Forward a phishing email to [email protected].
• Report suspected fraud to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Contact your financial institution if a message involves your account or financial information.
• Visit IdentityTheft.gov if personal information may have been compromised.