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5 Phishing Email Scams &

How to Avoid Them 

In today’s increasingly digital world, common phishing scams have become one of the most significant threats to businesses today.  These scams often come in the form of emails designed to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or clicking malicious links. Falling for one of these scams can result in data breaches, financial loss, or even a total shutdown of your business operations. To help you stay one step ahead, here are five common phishing email scams and actionable tips on how to avoid them.

For more information on the top cybersecurity threats of 2024, check out this blog from Huntress: Top 3 Cybersecurity Threats of 2024 So Far.

1. The CEO Fraud

One of the most popular types of phishing scams is CEO fraud, where cybercriminals impersonate a high-ranking executive, typically the CEO or CFO, and send urgent emails requesting financial transfers or sensitive data. These emails often create a false sense of urgency, pressuring employees to act quickly without verifying the request.

  • How to Avoid It: Always verify email requests for financial transactions, especially those claiming to come from executives. Cross-check the email address and call the person directly before proceeding.
2. Invoice Scams

Invoice scams target businesses by sending fake invoices that look legitimate. These phishing emails often mimic the format and branding of real vendors and can be easy to fall for, especially in busy departments like accounts payable.

  • How to Avoid It: Establish a clear process for handling invoices, ensuring that any request for payment is cross-checked with existing vendor contracts or verified by the finance team. Train employees to spot inconsistencies in sender addresses and document formats.
3. The ‘Password Reset’ Phish

This scam involves receiving an email that looks like it’s from a legitimate service—such as your email provider or a commonly used platform—asking you to reset your password due to suspicious activity. Clicking the provided link takes you to a fake website designed to steal your login information.

  • How to Avoid It: Never click on password reset links directly from emails. If you receive such a message, visit the website independently by typing the URL in your browser and manually resetting your password.
4. Prize or Giveaway Scams

Who doesn’t love winning a prize? Unfortunately, scammers take advantage of this by sending phishing emails claiming you’ve won a giveaway or special offer. The catch? You need to provide personal information or click a link to claim your reward.

  • How to Avoid It: Be wary of unsolicited emails offering prizes, especially if they request personal information or payment upfront. Most legitimate companies won’t ask for sensitive information over email.
5. Account Deactivation Threats

A particularly effective phishing tactic is to send an email that claims your account will be deactivated if immediate action is not taken. These emails often look official, mimicking the branding of trusted services like Microsoft, Google, or banks. The goal is to make you panic and click on a malicious link.

  • How to Avoid It: Take a moment to scrutinize these emails. Legitimate companies will not threaten immediate deactivation without multiple warnings. Hover over the links to see if the URLs match the legitimate website. If in doubt, log in to the service directly to check your account status.
How to Protect Yourself and Your Business

While phishing emails can look highly convincing, there are steps you can take to minimize the risk of falling victim:

  • Enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): MFA adds an extra layer of security to your accounts, making it much harder for cybercriminals to gain access, even if they have your password.
  • Use Strong, Unique Passwords: A password manager can help you create and store unique, strong passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using the same password across multiple services.
  • Train Your Employees: Education is one of the most effective defenses against phishing. Conduct regular training sessions on recognizing phishing scams and encourage employees to report suspicious emails.
  • Be Cautious with Links: Always hover over links in emails to see where they lead before clicking. If something feels off, don’t click it—visit the website directly instead.

Phishing scams are constantly evolving, but by staying informed and implementing these best practices, you can significantly reduce your vulnerability.

Don’t let your business get hooked—be proactive and make cybersecurity a priority. Contact Us today to get started.

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