Phishing emails are one of the most common ways attackers try to compromise your account, steal data, or install malware. These emails often look like they come from a trusted source — your bank, Microsoft, your manager — but they’re designed to trick you.
Here’s how to spot them and what to do if something feels off.
Think Before You Click
🚩 Common Red Flags:
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Urgent or threatening language
“Your account has been locked!” or “Immediate action required!” is a classic scare tactic. -
Spoofed senders
The name might look legit, but hover over the sender to see the actual email address. For example:
From: Microsoft Support <micr0soft.support@gmail.com> -
Weird links
Hover your mouse over links without clicking. A legit Microsoft link might look like:
<https://login.microsoftonline.com>
A phishing one might look like:
<https://login-micr0s0ft.secure-login.ru> -
Unfamiliar attachments
If you're not expecting a file — especially a.zip,.exe, or a Word document — don't open it. -
Poor grammar or odd formatting
Legitimate companies don’t usually send emails with broken English, weird spacing, or inconsistent fonts. -
Unusual requests
Is someone asking you to buy gift cards, send banking info, or change wiring instructions? Always verify through a known contact method before taking action.
Trust Your Gut
If something feels weird, it probably is. It’s better to double-check than fall for a scam. If you’re unsure, stop and report it.
What to Do (And NOT Do)
✅ Do:
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Take a screenshot of the message if you're reporting it.
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Forward the suspicious email to IT (see below).
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Delete it after reporting, unless instructed otherwise.
❌ Don’t:
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Don’t click any links or buttons.
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Don’t open attachments.
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Don’t reply or engage with the sender.
Examples of Real-Looking Phishing Attempts
|
Fake Email Type |
What It Tries to Do |
|---|---|
|
Password reset from "Microsoft" |
Steal your credentials |
|
File share from “HR” |
Trick you into opening a malicious attachment |
|
Invoice from unknown sender |
Install malware via a fake PDF or ZIP |
|
Message from your “boss” asking for gift cards |
Social engineering scam |
💬 Need Help?
If you're ever unsure, don’t guess — let us take a look. If you clicked a suspicious link, entered your password, or downloaded a file:
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Email: support@parkerbass.com
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Phone: (912) 385-9244 ext. 1001
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Helpdesk: support.parkerbass.com
We’ll review it, investigate if necessary, and help secure your account.
👀 Tip: We can’t stop every phishing email — but we can catch it early if you report it.