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    Essential Skills
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    2 min read 6 stepsJanuary 9, 2026Verified January 2026

    How to Identify Phishing Emails

    Spot fake emails designed to steal your personal information before you fall for them.

    In this guide (6 steps):

    1. 1.Check the sender address
    2. 2.Look for urgency
    3. 3.Hover over links (don't click)
    4. 4.Check for poor grammar
    5. 5.Verify with the company directly
    6. 6.Report phishing
    1

    Check the sender address

    ~15s
    Look at the actual email address, not just the display name. Scammers use addresses like support@amaz0n-help.com.

    Warning

    Scammers can make the display name look like "PayPal Support" while the actual address is something like paypal@scam-site.com.

    2

    Look for urgency

    ~15s
    Phrases like "Your account will be closed!" or "Act within 24 hours!" are classic phishing tactics.
    3

    Hover over links (don't click)

    ~15s
    Before clicking any link, hover your cursor to see the actual URL. Legitimate companies use their own domains.
    4

    Check for poor grammar

    ~15s
    Many phishing emails have spelling errors, odd formatting, or awkward language.
    5

    Verify with the company directly

    ~15s
    If unsure, don't click any link. Go directly to the company's website or call their official number.

    Quick Tip

    Save the real phone numbers of your bank, utilities, and important services in your phone contacts so you always have them handy.

    6

    Report phishing

    ~15s
    Forward phishing emails to reportphishing@apwg.org and mark them as spam in your email client.

    Quick Tip

    The FTC tracks scams and offers up-to-date alerts at consumer.ftc.gov/scams — bookmark this page to stay informed about the latest scam tactics.

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    phishing
    email
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    all-devices

    Official Resources

    GCFGlobal — Free Digital SkillsAARP Technology TipsSenior Planet

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

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    How to Identify Phishing Emails — Step-by-Step Guide | TekSure