Phishing Emails: Don't Take the Bait

Every day, millions of fake emails land in people's inboxes. These emails look like they come from a trusted source — your bank, Amazon, Medicare, or even a family member — but they're actually sent by scammers trying to steal your personal information, passwords, or money.

This type of scam is called phishing (pronounced "fishing") because the scammer is casting a line and hoping you'll take the bait. Here's how to recognize it and what to do.

What Does a Phishing Email Look Like?

Here's a real example of the type of email scammers send:

🐟 Example Phishing Email

From: security@amazon-account-verify.com
Subject: URGENT: Your account has been compromised!

Dear Valued Customer,

We have detected suspicious activity on your Amazon account. Your account will be permanently closed in 24 hours unless you verify your information immediately.

Click here to verify your account now

This email has several warning signs — let's go through them.

Red Flags to Look For

Fake email address: Notice the sender is "amazon-account-verify.com" — NOT "amazon.com". Real Amazon emails come from @amazon.com.
Urgency and fear tactics: Words like "URGENT", "immediately", "24 hours", "permanently closed" are designed to make you panic and act without thinking.
Generic greeting: Real companies usually address you by your name, not "Dear Valued Customer."
Suspicious links: The link may look real but takes you to a fake website designed to steal your information.
Requests for personal info: No legitimate company will ask you to verify your password, Social Security number, or credit card through email.

⚠️ Warning: If you hover your mouse over a link in an email (without clicking!), you can often see the real web address it goes to at the bottom of your screen. If the address looks strange or doesn't match the company, do NOT click it.

Common Types of Phishing Emails

Bank alerts – "Your account has been locked. Verify now."
Package delivery – "Your UPS/FedEx package could not be delivered. Click to reschedule."
Medicare/Social Security – "Your benefits are at risk. Confirm your information."
IRS/tax warnings – "You owe back taxes. Pay now to avoid arrest."
Prize winnings – "You've won $500! Claim your prize."
Tech support – "Your computer has a virus. Click here to fix it."

What to Do When You Get a Suspicious Email

Don't click any links in the email
Don't open any attachments — they can contain viruses
Don't reply to the email
If you're worried about your account, go directly to the company's website by typing the address (like amazon.com) into your browser yourself
Mark the email as spam and delete it
Tell a trusted person about the email before acting on it

💡 Tip: When in doubt, pick up the phone. Call the company directly using a number from their official website — not a number in the suspicious email. A real company will be happy to confirm whether they actually sent you anything.

What If I Already Clicked a Link?

Don't panic, but act quickly:

Do NOT enter any information on the site that opened
Close the browser immediately
Change the password for any accounts you're concerned about
Run a virus scan on your computer or device
Call your bank if you entered any financial information
Report the email to the FTC at reportphishing.antiphishing.org

At SeniorGuard Tech, we can check your device for any problems and help you secure your accounts. Contact us for help.

Share This with Someone You Care About

Phishing emails are one of the top ways seniors lose money and personal information. Now that you know what to look for, share this article with a friend or family member who might benefit from this information.