Phishing scams cost businesses millions annually by exploiting human error and creating opportunities for cybercriminals to infiltrate organizations. Attackers exploit trust by using deceptive tactics to masquerade as reputable sources like banks, vendors, or even company leadership.
What makes phishing so dangerous is its reliance on psychological manipulation. These emails are designed to bypass critical thinking, creating urgency, fear, or curiosity to trick recipients into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links. In this blog, we’ll explore 10 common characteristics of phishing emails that every employee should recognize to secure their organization against potential losses and breaches.
Phishing emails play on your emotions and decision-making by targeting the amygdala—the part of your brain that processes fear and urgency. This is called “amygdala hijack.” It’s how attackers bypass your logical thinking, tricking you into making snap decisions without stopping to question if the email is legitimate.
Here’s what phishing emails are designed to do:
The key to staying safe is understanding how phishing emails work so you can spot them a mile away. Let’s break down the most common characteristics so you can recognize and avoid these scams.
Phishing emails often have a dead giveaway: bad grammar and awkward phrasing. These mistakes usually happen because attackers rush to create them or rely on translation tools. Sometimes, these errors are intentional. Why? Scammers know that detail-oriented people are likelier to spot red flags and ignore the email, so they focus on easier targets.
Here are some examples:
These errors stick out if you take a moment to read the email carefully. That’s why it’s so important to teach employees to slow down and analyze anything that feels “off.” A little extra caution can go a long way in stopping these scams.
Scammers tweak email addresses just enough to look legit, hoping you won’t notice the difference. Sometimes, they use slightly altered domains and other times, the email address might seem completely unrelated to the organization they’re pretending to be.
Here’s what to watch for:
Tip: Hover over the sender’s name to see the full email address. If it doesn’t match the official domain, it’s a red flag. Double-check before clicking or replying; you’ll save yourself a lot of trouble.
Cybercriminals use urgency to pressure you into acting fast - before you’ve had a chance to think. These emails are full of threats like account closures, legal trouble, or unexpected fees, all designed to make you panic and click.
Here are some common examples:
Why does this work? Because when people panic, they skip over the details. That’s why it’s so important to remind employees: Pause. Read. Think. If an email demands immediate action, take a moment to verify if it’s real. A little caution can save a lot of trouble.
Phishing emails usually skip the personal touch. Instead of addressing you by name, they stick to generic greetings like “Dear Customer,” “Dear User,” or “Hello Client.” Why? Because these emails are sent to thousands of people at once—it’s a numbers game.
Here’s the difference: Legitimate companies almost always personalize their emails. They’ll include your name, account info, or other details that make the message feel specific to you. Phishing emails don’t bother with that level of effort.
Tip: If an email feels cold and generic, take a closer look. It’s often a red flag for phishing.
Phishing emails often disguise malware as innocent-looking files or redirect you to fake websites that steal your information. Here are some examples to watch for:
Tip: Train employees to hover over links before clicking; this shows the actual destination URL. Also, remember to use email filters and antivirus tools to block suspicious attachments before they reach your inbox.
Scammers often replicate the branding of legitimate organizations to appear credible. They may use logos, formatting, and domain names that closely mimic those of trusted companies. For example:
Look for minor inconsistencies in domain names, font styles, or logo quality, as phishing attempts often cut corners in design.
Phishing emails often try to sound official by overloading the message with technical terms or industry jargon. However, the usage is usually out of context or overly generic.
Examples:
Legitimate emails from trusted sources typically use clear, concise language tailored to the recipient, so anything too elaborate may be a sign that you’re being targeted.
The subject line is often the first clue of a phishing email’s intent. Scammers use alarming phrases to create a false sense of urgency or importance. For example:
Real organizations rarely use threatening language. They provide detailed follow-ups or reminders instead of urgent, alarmist subject lines.
Stopping phishing takes more than just knowing it exists. You need a plan. Consistent, proactive training helps employees spot and avoid these threats before they cause damage. The best training? Practical, hands-on sessions that simulate real attacks.
Jericho Security specializes in empowering businesses to combat phishing threats. Here’s how we do it:
To learn more, check out our blog about 10 phishing prevention tips and their solutions.
Phishing tactics are always changing, and attackers are getting smarter. But your business can stay ahead of the game with the right tools and training. The key is being proactive by arming your team with the skills to recognize and stop threats before they escalate.
That’s where Jericho Security can help. We don’t merely teach employees to spot phishing emails - we help your entire organization build a culture of cyber-awareness. With Jericho, your team will learn to detect the latest tactics, avoid dangerous mistakes, and respond confidently to suspicious activity. Schedule a demo with Jericho today and see how we can help you protect what matters most.