How to Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams

• Phishing scams use emails or text messages to steal personal and financial information by pretending to be from legitimate companies.
• Protect yourself from phishing by using security software, multi-factor authentication, and regularly backing up data.
• If you suspect a phishing attempt, report the message and avoid clicking links or attachments.

Phishing scams are a widespread tactic where scammers use deceptive emails or text messages to trick people into sharing personal information like passwords or account numbers. These messages often look like they come from well-known companies claiming a problem with your account or offering fraudulent deals. Scammers hope you’ll click on links or open attachments, which can lead to identity theft or financial loss. One example is a fake email from Netflix saying your account is on hold due to a billing issue—though it looks real, the request to update payment details via a link is a scam.

Several steps can protect you from phishing attacks. First, ensure your computer and phone have updated security software to safeguard against the latest threats. Second, use multi-factor authentication for your accounts, which requires an extra step to log in, such as entering a code or using a fingerprint scan. This extra layer makes it harder for scammers to access your accounts. Third, regularly back up your data to an external drive or cloud storage to protect your information in case of a breach.

If you receive a suspicious email or message, ask yourself if you have an account with the company or recognize the sender. If not, it’s likely a phishing attempt. In that case, delete the message and report it. If you believe you’ve fallen victim to a phishing scam, such as sharing personal information, visit IdentityTheft.gov for guidance on what to do next. If you think malware was downloaded, update your security software and run a scan to remove any issues.

Reporting phishing attempts is essential in helping authorities fight these scams. Forward phishing emails to reportphishing@apwg.org and phishing texts to SPAM (7726). You can also report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

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