Most Common Phishing Email Examples

Understanding the most common phishing email examples is essential as phishing tactics grow increasingly sophisticated, posing severe risks to both individuals and businesses.

Attackers are exploiting trusted brands and emerging technologies to deceive users into revealing sensitive information. These emails are not mere annoyances; they represent a significant threat, often leading to financial losses, data breaches, and reputational harm for organizations.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the phishing email examples most frequently used by scammers today and share actionable strategies to help you identify and avoid these threats.

Common Phishing Email Scam Examples 2025

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

Using this phishing type, 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.

Account Verification Scam

In this phishing scam example, 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), in this phishing form, emails pretends 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. 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 phishing email forms 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 example, 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 phishing type, 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 example 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 phishing email forms 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 forms 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 real phishing email methods direct recipients to a fraudulent website to “verify” their banking information, leading to potential identity theft.

Additional Phishing Examples for 2025

If you’ve already reviewed all the phishing scam examples above and want to explore even more phishing scams that may emerge in 2025, check out our extended list of phishing examples:

1. “Urgent Invoice Payment Required” (Form of Phishing Email)

Scammers impersonate vendors, demanding immediate payment via a malicious link or attachment.

2. “Your Account Has Been Hacked” (Scam Alert Phishing Sample)

Fake security warnings from platforms like Facebook or Amazon, urging password resets via fraudulent links.

3. “Tax Refund Pending” (IRS Phishing Email Techniques)

Emails claiming unresolved tax issues, tricking users into sharing Social Security numbers or bank details.

4. “Free Netflix Subscription” (Phishing Email Phishing Fraud Example)

Offers “exclusive” free access in exchange for credit card information.

5. “Package Delivery Failed” (Shipping Phishing Sample)

Mimics courier services (e.g., FedEx, UPS) with fake tracking links to steal addresses and payment data.

6. “Microsoft Security Update Required” (Tech Support Phishing)

Urges users to download “critical updates,” which install malware.

7. “Bank Account Suspension Notice” (Financial Phishing Example)

Alleges suspicious activity and redirects to fake banking portals.

8. “Job Offer from a Fortune 500 Company” (Recruitment Phishing)

Fake offers requesting personal details for “background checks.”

9. “COVID-19 Relief Fund Application” (Pandemic Phishing Scam)

Exploits health crises to harvest government ID or financial data.

10. “Instagram Copyright Violation Warning” (Social Media Phishing Form)

Threatens account deletion unless users click a malicious link.

11. “Cryptocurrency Investment Opportunity” (Crypto Phishing Example)

Promises high returns to lure victims into fake trading platforms.

12. “Airline Ticket Confirmation” (Travel Phishing Scam)

Fake itineraries with links to steal credit card information.

13. “Expired Password Alert” (Corporate Phishing Example)

Targets employees with fake IT department requests to “renew” credentials.

14. “Charity Donation Request” (Nonprofit Phishing Scam Example)

Impersonates reputable charities post-disasters to siphon funds.

15. “Google Drive File Shared with You” (Cloud Storage Phishing Example)

Redirects to fake login pages mimicking Google’s interface.

16. “Suspicious Login Attempt Detected” (Account Security Phishing Form)

Alleges unauthorized access to social media or email accounts.

17. “Winning a Gift Card” (Promotional Phishing Example)

Claims users won a Walmart or Amazon gift card after completing a survey.

18. “Medical Test Results Available” (Healthcare Phishing Scam Type)

Pretends to share lab reports to steal insurance or patient data.

19. “Update Your Payment Method” (E-commerce Phishing Example)

Targets Amazon or eBay users with fake payment portals.

20. “LinkedIn Connection Request” (Professional Network Phishing Type)

Fake profiles sharing malicious links under the guise of networking.

21. “Government Grant Approval” (Financial Aid Forms of Phishing)

Promises free grants in exchange for “processing fees.”

22. “Renew Your Subscription Now” (Streaming Service Phishing Froud Example)

Alleges expired Spotify or Disney+ accounts requiring urgent action.

23. “Password Manager Security Breach” (Cybersecurity Phishing)

Urges users to reset master passwords via compromised links.

24. “Fake PayPal Invoice” (Payment Platform Phishing Example)

Requests payment for unauthorized transactions.

25. “College Scholarship Opportunity” (Education Phishing Scam Example)

Targets students with fraudulent applications requiring sensitive data.

26. “Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Reset” (Account Phishing Fraud Example)

Tricks users into disabling 2FA for “security updates.”

27. “Utility Bill Overdue Notice” (Energy Provider Phishing Fraud Example)

Threatens service disconnection unless immediate payment is made.

28. “Fake Antivirus Alert” (Malware Phishing Example)

Pop-ups claiming “viruses detected” to sell fake software.

29. “Social Security Number Compromised” (Government Phishing Form)

Demands verification via phishing websites.

30. “Celebrity Endorsement Scam” (Social Media Phishing Example)

Fake posts from influencers promoting malicious investment links.

31. “Employee Benefits Enrollment” (Workplace Phishing Scam)

Targets HR departments with fake health insurance forms.

32. “Fake Google Review Request” (Local Business Phishing Method)

Asks business owners to resolve “fake reviews” via credential theft.

33. “VPN Service Expiration” (Cybersecurity Phishing Example)

Urgent renewal notices for nonexistent subscriptions.

34. “Event Registration Confirmation” (Conference Phishing Scam)

Mimics event organizers (e.g., TEDx) to steal attendee data.

35. “Credit Score Improvement Offer” (Financial Phishing Example)

Promises credit boosts in exchange for sensitive financial details.

36. “Fake Dropbox File Request” (Cloud Phishing Scam)

Shared documents that install ransomware when downloaded.

37. “Insurance Policy Renewal” (Healthcare Phishing Example)

Alleges lapsed coverage to harvest insurance IDs.

38. “Fake Google Ads Suspension” (Marketing Phishing Scam Types)

Targets advertisers with fake account reactivation links.

39. “Rental Property Inquiry” (Real Estate Phishing Example)

Scammers pose as tenants to send malicious deposit requests.

40. “Fake Zoom Meeting Invite” (Remote Work Phishing Variants)

Infects devices with spyware via compromised calendar links.

41. “Sweepstakes Winner Notification” (Lottery Phishing Scam Example)

Requests bank details to “transfer” prize money.

42. “Fake Apple ID Lockout” (Tech Brand Phishing Example)

Alleges unauthorized purchases to steal iCloud credentials.

43. “Legal Summons Delivery” (Government Phishing Scam Types)

Threatens lawsuits unless users click to “view court documents.”

44. “Fake LinkedIn Job Interview” (Recruitment Phishing Attack Example)

Invites candidates to fake video calls to distribute malware.

45. “Fitness Tracker Data Breach” (Health Tech Phishing Attack Example)

Claims compromised Fitbit or Apple Watch accounts.

46. “Domain Name Expiration Notice” (Small Business Phishing Schemes)

Urges website owners to renew domains via fraudulent portals.

47. “Fake Airbnb Booking Confirmation” (Travel Phishing Example)

Requests payment for “pending reservations.”

48. “Email Account Storage Full” (Storage Phishing Email Samples)

Prompts users to upgrade storage via malicious links.

49. “Fake COVID-19 Test Results” (Health Phishing Example)

Exploits pandemic fears to collect medical information.

50. “Quishing Alert: Verify QR Code Security” (Hybrid Examples of Phishing Attacks )

Combines QR codes and email to redirect users to phishing sites.

Protect Your Employees Against Common Phishing Examples with Keepnet Human Risk Management

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

Phishing Simulator

At Keepnet, our Phishing Simulator immerses employees in realistic attack scenarios, enabling them to quickly recognize and effectively respond to phishing attempts before any damage can be done.

Drawing on a vast library of over 15,000+ phishing examples, we deliver highly engaging and dynamic phishing tests that closely mirrors real-world threats. By doing so, we help foster a security-conscious culture across every level of your organization.

Our next-gen, AI-integrated platform is designed to be both multi-support and effortless to use, allowing administrators to rapidly roll out tailored campaigns via email, SMS, or other preferred channels.

This seamless setup ensures no interruption to your team’s daily workflow, while in-depth analytics provide clear visibility into performance and areas needing improvement. Whether it’s testing basic recognition skills or running advanced social engineering simulations, Keepnet’s Phishing Simulator equips your workforce with the skills they need to safeguard your organization against evolving cyber threats.

Security Awareness Training

At Keepnet, we deliver cutting-edge security awareness training specifically designed to empower employees against ever-evolving cyber threats. Our platform seamlessly integrates with a variety of delivery methods—including SMS notifications, direct integration with existing LMS solutions, and compliance-focused modules—ensuring that each organization can easily reach its workforce wherever they are.

With an average 95% training completion rate, we take pride in providing a proven solution that fosters a genuinely security-aware culture across all levels of an enterprise.

Beyond our comprehensive training modules, we incorporate an effective Behavior Change Model that reinforces positive security habits and helps employees retain critical knowledge over the long term.

Our AI-powered approach provides in-depth analytics, allowing administrators to tailor training initiatives based on performance data and user feedback. By continuously updating our content to counter the latest phishing tactics, and offering flexible localization options to serve diverse teams around the globe, Keepnet is committed to guiding organizations toward a safer and more resilient security posture.

Incident Response Tools

At Keepnet, our Incident Response Platform unify every stage of threat detection and mitigation into a single, streamlined interface. The embedded Phishing Reporter empowers employees to quickly flag suspicious emails for in-depth, automated analysis.

Our Incident Analysis engine then rapidly categorizes and prioritizes threats, helping security teams focus on the highest-risk issues first. Paired with a clear, real-time ROI Summary, organizations can easily quantify the tangible benefits, from hours saved to the financial impact avoided.

Beyond initial triage, our Investigations module offers both automated and manual paths to resolution, enabling teams to adapt workflows to the complexity of each incident.

Granular dashboards provide complete visibility—from the moment a user reports a suspicious email, through analysis and final remediation—ensuring critical details never fall through the cracks. With Keepnet’s Incident Response Tools, you can swiftly contain threats and confidently validate security measures, all while substantially reducing the time and resources required to keep your organization safe.

Discover how Keepnet Human Risk Management Solution and advanced anti-phishing products 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.

Editor's note: This blog is updated on 13th of February, 2025.