Most Common Phishing Email Examples - Keepnet

Phishing attacks continue to evolve, posing serious threats to individuals and businesses alike. The number of phishing emails is higher than ever, with scammers leveraging trusted brands and technology to trick people into sharing sensitive information. A phishing email is more than a minor disruption; it’s a serious threat that can result in financial losses, data breaches, and damage to your organization’s reputation.

To help you stay secure, we’ll explore the most common phishing email examples currently targeting users and provide practical strategies for recognizing and avoiding them.

What is a Phishing Email?

A phishing email is a fraudulent message crafted to deceive recipients into sharing sensitive information, such as login credentials, financial details, or personal data. Cybercriminals make these emails look like they come from trusted sources—like banks, popular brands, or government agencies—using familiar logos, official-sounding language, and formatting to make the message appear legitimate.

How Does a Phishing Attack Happen?

A typical phishing attack begins when a scammer sends a targeted email containing a malicious link or attachment. If the recipient clicks on the link or downloads the attachment, they’re redirected to a fraudulent website or install malware on their device, unknowingly exposing personal data or providing access to their organization’s network.

Phishing attacks can be highly sophisticated, with cybercriminals employing social engineering tactics to manipulate recipients. Many phishing attempts play on emotions like fear, curiosity, or urgency to make recipients overlook common red flags.

How To Identify Phishing Emails?

Spotting a phishing email can be tricky, as scammers use convincing tactics to bypass our usual caution. However, there are key warning signs to look out for:

• Urgent or threatening language that pressures you to act immediately.
• Spelling and grammar mistakes, which are common in phishing emails and can signal a scam.
• Generic greetings like "Dear Customer" instead of using your name.
• Suspicious links or attachments; always hover over links to check where they actually lead.
• Mismatched email addresses; double-check if the sender’s address matches the company’s domain.

For a deeper dive, check out Keepnet’s guide to the top phishing risks and prevention strategies to strengthen your defenses and recognize these tactics quickly.

Common Phishing Email Scam Examples

Phishing scams target everyone, from individual users to businesses. Here’s a list of the most common phishing email examples to be aware of:

Google Docs Scam

Attackers send an email claiming a Google Doc is shared with you, complete with a link. The link redirects to a fake Google login page where, if you enter your credentials, scammers steal your login details.

Learn more about security awareness training here.

Account Verification Scam

In this scam, emails pretending to be from well-known brands urgently ask you to verify your account details to “keep your account secure.” The link provided usually leads to a fake login page designed to capture your login credentials.

Microsoft email scams are especially common, with attackers posing as Microsoft, asking users to confirm account information or make security updates.

CEO Fraud

Also known as Business Email Compromise (BEC), this phishing tactic involves attackers posing as a company executive, such as a CEO or CFO. The email urgently instructs employees to transfer funds or share sensitive information, often emphasizing confidentiality or time-sensitivity to prevent verification. This creates a sense of pressure and authority, making employees less likely to question the request.

Tax Refund Scam

This common scam targets individuals during tax season. Attackers pose as tax authorities, claiming a refund is due and requesting personal information. This phishing email often appears authentic, complete with logos and legal jargon.

PayPal Scam

In this scam, emails claiming to be from PayPal warn of “suspicious activity” on your account or say that your account has been frozen. The message urges you to log in and “verify” your account to restore access. However, the link leads to a fake PayPal login page designed to capture your credentials.

Protect your accounts by training employees to recognize phishing emails.

Dropbox Scam

In this scam, an email appears to be from Dropbox, notifying users that a file has been shared with them. The message includes a link to “view the file,” but clicking it leads to a fake Dropbox login page. If users enter their credentials, scammers capture their login information.

Suspicious Activity Alert

This phishing email informs you of “suspicious activity” on your account, often mimicking banks or online payment platforms. The email pushes you to “verify” recent transactions, providing a link that leads to a phishing website.

Advanced Fee Scam

Sometimes known as a "Nigerian Prince scam," the advanced fee scam promises recipients a large sum of money in exchange for paying small upfront fees. These phishing emails exploit people’s hopes for quick financial gain.

The Fake Invoice Scam

Fake invoice emails target businesses by impersonating a legitimate vendor and requesting urgent payment. These email phishing scams often contain fake invoices that, if paid, funnel funds directly to cybercriminals.

To learn more about avoiding phishing attacks, explore how to recognize phishing emails here.

Requests for Personal Information

These phishing emails attempt to gather sensitive information—such as login credentials, Social Security numbers, or bank details—by posing as messages from trusted organizations. They often look like legitimate requests from banks, government agencies, or well-known companies to make recipients feel safe sharing their information.

Banking Alert Scam

A banking alert phishing scam warns recipients of unauthorized account activity. These emails direct recipients to a fraudulent website to “verify” their banking information, leading to potential identity theft.

How To Avoid Phishing Email Scams?

Recognizing phishing emails is only the first step. Here are practical ways to protect yourself and your organization from these common threats:

• Verify the sender’s information: Double-check any suspicious emails with the organization’s official customer service before responding.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA): This adds an extra layer of security, making it harder for attackers to access your accounts even if they have your credentials.
• Avoid clicking on links in suspicious emails: Hover over any link to verify its authenticity. If in doubt, visit the website directly by typing the address into your browser.
• Update your software and security settings: Keeping your software and antivirus tools up-to-date is crucial to guarding against malware attached to phishing emails.
• Educate employees about phishing attacks: Regular security awareness training helps employees recognize phishing attempts and respond effectively.

Explore Keepnet’s Phishing Simulator for practical ways to train employees against phishing threats.

Enhance Your Email Security with Keepnet’s Advanced Anti-Phishing Solutions

Phishing attacks are only growing more sophisticated, so staying ahead requires proactive solutions. Keepnet provides a comprehensive platform designed to address phishing, ransomware, and other social engineering threats:

• Phishing Simulator: Offers real-world scenarios for training employees in identifying and responding to phishing attempts.
• Security Awareness Training: Keep your team informed about the latest phishing tactics.
• Incident Response Tools: Quickly and effectively manage incidents, reducing the impact of potential phishing breaches.

Discover how Keepnet’s advanced anti-phishing solutions can strengthen your organization’s defenses against these common threats. Start a free trial today to explore our phishing protection tools firsthand and boost your security awareness programs.