10 Most Common Phishing Emails to Watch Out For

Phishing emails are everywhere these days, and they’re one of the easiest ways cybercriminals trick people into giving up sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or even company data. They can be sneaky, but the good news is that spotting them gets easier once you know what to look for.

At Rushax, we’re all about keeping you informed because staying aware is the best way to stay protected. Let’s break down 10 of the most common phishing email scams and how you can avoid falling for them.

#1. The Fake Bank Alert

One of the most frequent phishing tactics involves impersonating a bank. These emails claim that your account has been locked, there’s unusual activity, or you need to verify your information.

How to Spot It:

• Urgent subject lines like "Account Suspended" or "Unauthorised Login Detected."
• Links to fake login pages resembling your bank's website.
• Generic greetings like “Dear Customer” instead of your name.

#2. Delivery Service Scams

You receive an email from a courier service like FedEx, UPS, or DHL saying a delivery attempt failed. These emails aim to steal your personal or financial details under the guise of rescheduling a delivery.

How to Spot It:

• Claims you must "confirm your identity" by entering sensitive data.
• Links that lead to poorly designed websites.
• Requests for payment of unexpected delivery fees.

#3. Tax Refund or Audit Scare

Phishing emails pretending to be from government tax agencies (e.g., IRS, HMRC) often promise refunds or threaten audits.

How to Spot It:

• Government agencies typically don’t email about refunds or audits.
• Links to unverified websites or demands for payment via gift cards.
• Threatening language to create a sense of panic.

#4. Tech Support Fraud

These emails claim your computer or software has a critical issue. They often appear to come from Microsoft, Apple, or another major tech company.

How to Spot It:

• Promises to fix the issue if you click a link or call a number.
• Requests for remote access to your computer.
• Poor grammar and unusual sender addresses.

#5. The "You've Won" Lottery Scam

Everyone loves good news, but if you didn’t buy a ticket, you didn’t win the lottery. Scammers prey on this excitement with fake lottery or prize-winning emails.

How to Spot It:

• Requires you to pay a "processing fee" to claim your prize.
• Vague details about how you entered the contest.
• Suspiciously generic prizes, like “You’ve won £1,000,000!”

#6. Fake Job Offers

Phishers send lucrative job offers with promises of high salaries for little effort. These scams often target individuals seeking remote work.

How to Spot It:

• The email asks for sensitive information like your National Insurance Number
• Offers that sound too good to be true.
• Email addresses that don’t match the company's domain.

#7. Impersonation of Trusted Contacts

Hackers may compromise someone you know and use their email account to send phishing messages. These emails often ask for money or sensitive details.

How to Spot It:

• Uncharacteristic requests for help, such as asking for gift cards or wire transfers.
• Vague explanations for urgency.
• Odd writing style inconsistent with the sender’s usual tone.

#8. Subscription Renewal Scams

You receive an email claiming your subscription to a service like Netflix, Spotify, or Amazon Prime is expiring. The goal? To steal your login credentials or payment information.

How to Spot It:

• Requests to "renew now" with suspicious links.
• Sender addresses that don’t match the company.
• Fake receipts for subscriptions you never signed up for.

9. Charity Scams

Scammers often prey on goodwill, sending fake emails pretending to be from charities or disaster relief organisations, especially during crises.

How to Spot It:

• Urgent requests for donations, often in cryptocurrency or gift cards.
• Links to websites that look legitimate but have slightly altered URLs.
• Lack of details about how your donation will be used or vague organisation names.

#10. Social Media Phishing

Scammers impersonate platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter (X), warning of account suspensions or unusual activity.

How to Spot It:

• Links leading to login pages that look like the real thing but have slightly altered URLs.
• Requests for immediate action to "secure your account."
• Generic branding or missing personalisation.

How to Protect Yourself

Phishing emails are evolving, but you can stay ahead by:

1. Verifying the Sender: Check the email address for inconsistencies.
2. Avoiding Suspicious Links: Hover over links to view the URL before clicking.
3. Not Sharing Sensitive Info: Reputable companies never ask for personal details via email.
4. Using Security Tools: Install spam filters and antivirus software to catch malicious attempts.

We hope the list of our 10 most common phishing emails has given you valuable insights on protecting yourself against phishing threats and will make you to think twice before clicking on email links!