Phishing scams are becoming more sophisticated. Watch out for these red flags (2024)

FAQs

What are the 7 red flags of phishing? ›

A more personalized, sophisticated, and invasive form of phishing is on the rise: Spear phishing. Spear phishing is a social engineering tactic used to steal sensitive information from a specific person or group by tailoring the message.

Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers.

Increased attack sophistication makes it harder than ever for traditional cyber security solutions like SEGs, firewalls, and spam filters to detect and mitigate increasingly novel and sophisticated email threats. When there are tell-tale signs of a threat, these solutions can identify an incoming message as suspicious.

One way is to remember “the four Ps”: Pretend, problem, pressure, pay. Many scam tactics boil down to these four words.

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Young adults and adults over 75 are the most vulnerable to fraud attacks.

What is a phishing attack. Phishing is a type of social engineering attack often used to steal user data, including login credentials and credit card numbers. It occurs when an attacker, masquerading as a trusted entity, dupes a victim into opening an email, instant message, or text message.

Phishing may never go out of season, but with the right approach you can minimize the risk that your organization will ever get hooked.

Requests for personal information: Legitimate companies won't ask for sensitive information like passwords or Social Security numbers through email. If an email tells you to verify your account by clicking a link and entering your login details, it's likely a phishing attempt.

What do phishers want? ›

Phishing (pronounced: fishing) is an attack that attempts to steal your money, or your identity, by getting you to reveal personal information -- such as credit card numbers, bank information, or passwords -- on websites that pretend to be legitimate.

Look for: Unsolicited and suspicious messages, emails and social posts containing shortened links. Web pages that ask for login credentials or other sensitive information. Suspicious emails with uncharacteristic language.

With the sensitive information obtained from a successful phishing scam, these thieves can take out loans or obtain credit cards and even driver's licenses in your name. They can do damage to your financial history and personal reputation that can take years to unravel.

Phishing tactics, particularly email, require minimal cost and effort, making them widespread cyber-attacks. Victims of phishing scams may end up with malware infections (including ransomware), identity theft, and data loss.

Phishing is common for several reasons: Widespread email use: Email is a ubiquitous communication tool, making it easy for attackers to target many users with minimal effort. Phishing can be used in both targeted (spear phishing) and non-targeted attacks, casting a wide net to capture as many victims as possible.

Unsolicited offers: Don't respond to unsolicited cold calls, emails, junk mail, late-night commercials or infomercials, or social media posts that are either overly attractive or fear-inducing. These are all common tactics scammers use to entice you to engage.