3 Red Flags to Spot a Phishing Scam - Before It Hooks You

 

This information is also available on my YouTube Channel at: https://youtu.be/OZ64L72UTL4          

If you prefer, you can also listen to this information on my Podcast at: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/norbert-gostischa/episodes/3-Red-Flags-to-Spot-a-Phishing-Scam---Before-It-Hooks-You-e31tmtp

🚨Avoid These Mistakes at All Costs! 

Let’s talk about something that’s sneakier than a raccoon in your garbage at 2 a.m.—phishing scams. Yep, the kind that pop into your inbox pretending to be your bank, your boss, or your long-lost rich uncle who just needs your help moving a few million dollars.

Phishing attacks are on the rise, and scammers are getting cleverer by the day. They’re not just misspelling “PayPal” anymore—they’re crafting emails that could fool even the most eagle-eyed of us. So, how do you protect yourself?

Here are 3 major red flags that should set off sirens, flashing lights, and possibly cause you to drop your coffee (but please, don’t).

🚩Red Flag #1 - “Act Now or Else!”

You open your inbox and there it is:

“URGENT - Your Account Has Been Suspended. Verify Immediately!”

Cue the dramatic music. The email insists that you must click a link right now or risk losing access to your account, getting hit with fees, or worse—being locked out forever.

That’s Phishing 101 - create a sense of panic so you click before you think.

Why it works - Scammers know that fear is a powerful motivator. When you're rushed, you're more likely to act without thinking, especially if the message appears to come from a trusted brand.

Reality check - Real companies won’t threaten you into action. If there’s a legitimate issue, you’ll usually be asked to log into your account (without a direct link!) and resolve it calmly.

🚩Red Flag #2 - Funky-Looking Email Addresses

You receive a message from what appears to be your bank… until you notice the sender’s email  address:

“customercare@chasebank-loginalertz.securehost.ru”

Uh… that’s not Chase. That’s the email equivalent of a mustache-twirling villain in disguise.

Why it works - Scammers often spoof familiar logos and even mimic the layout of legitimate emails. But they can’t always hide the weird email address behind the curtain.

Pro tip - Always hover over the sender’s email address. If it looks suspicious or overly complicated, don't trust it. And never click links from unknown senders—go directly to the official website instead.

🚩Red Flag #3 - Surprise Attachments or Mysterious Links

Getting an unexpected file attachment titled “Invoice #74391” from someone you don’t recognize? Or maybe a vague message like, “Check this out!😂” with a link attached?

Don't do it. That click could be your one-way ticket to Malwareville.

Why it works - Scammers often rely on curiosity or fear to get you to open that file or click that link. Once you do, they could install spyware, ransomware, or worse.

What to do instead - Unless you’re expecting a file from that person—and you know them well—don’t open it. If it seems important, contact the person through another method (like phone or text) to confirm it’s real.

Extra Clues You’re Being Phished - Bad grammar and spelling. Not everyone’s an English major, but “Your acount is been blocked” is a dead giveaway.

Generic greetings like “Dear Customer” instead of your actual name.

Emails that ask for your password, Social Security number, or mother’s favorite pizza topping. Legit companies NEVER do this via email.

🛡️Stay Safe, Stay Skeptical

Here’s the golden rule - If something feels off, it probably is.

Trust your gut. And when in doubt, don’t click it out—just delete it. Phishing emails thrive on knee-jerk reactions. Your calm, cautious brain is your best defense.

🐟Share This & Help Others Dodge the Hook

If this info helped you, imagine how many people you could help by sharing it. Everyone—from your tech-savvy nephew to your bingo partner—needs to know how to spot a scam.

Let’s make sure we’re not giving our data away to people who probably still use Internet Explorer.

🔒Final Thought - Stay Alert. Stay Secure.

The digital world is full of amazing things—puppy videos, online shopping, endless trivia. But it’s also home to digital tricksters. 

Stay safe, stay secure and remember this good news, "Once you know what to look for, it’s a lot easier to avoid them".

"I'll see you again soon. Bye-bye and thanks for reading watching and listening."