Think again.

Cybercriminals don’t rely on outdated tricks anymore. They use polished emails, urgent language, and convincing imitations of trusted brands—all crafted to make even the sharpest professionals slip. The question isn’t “Is my team smart?” It’s “Is my team prepared?”

Let’s walk through a classic phishing attempt and highlight the subtle red flags that can fool almost anyone.

1. The “Urgent Account Suspension” Email

You see a subject line like “Urgent Action Required: Your Account Has Been Suspended.”

The email looks official, the sender appears to be your bank, and the tone is serious. That’s deliberate. Scammers LOVE panic. When you’re rushing, you’re not thinking.

Always stop and ask: “Is this really urgent?”

2. The Sneaky Sender Address

At first glance, security@yourbank-online.com looks legit. But legitimate banks don’t use odd domains like “-online.com.”
A 10-second Google search or a check on the bank’s real website can reveal the truth quickly.

3. The Generic Greeting

"Dear Customer" seems polite—but if this were really your bank, they’d know your name.
Scammers use generic greetings because they don’t actually know who you are.

4. The Suspicious Link

“Click here to restore access now.”
Before clicking anything, hover over the link. If it doesn’t match the bank’s official domain, that’s a major warning sign.
Scammers often hide dangerous URLs behind trustworthy-looking text.

5. Fear + Pressure = Manipulation

Phishing emails pack emotional triggers:

• Fear (“your account is suspended”)
• Pressure (“act immediately”)

This combo is designed to make you react—not think.

6. Professional Look Doesn’t Mean It’s Real

Logos, layout, formatting—it can all be copied with ease. A polished email doesn’t guarantee legitimacy.
If you weren’t expecting the message, treat it as suspicious.

7. Attachments Are a Huge Red Flag

Anything like “Download this form to verify your account” should be an instant NO.
Unexpected attachments can hide malware capable of stealing data or infecting entire systems.



So, What Should You Do Instead?

• Pause and breathe
• Don’t click links or open attachments
• Contact the company directly through a verified phone number or website

Phishing scams are getting harder to spot, and even experienced professionals are falling for them. The best defence? Consistent training and awareness.

If you want your team to be scam-smart and not scam-scared, let’s talk >