Don’t Take the Bait: Real-Life Clues That an Email Isn’t Safe 

It always starts the same way: you get an email that looks urgent. Maybe it’s from your bank saying there’s a “problem with your account.” Maybe it’s your boss asking you to handle something immediately. Or maybe it’s a vendor you trust, sending an invoice that looks just like the last ten you’ve received. 

These emails feel normal—until you look closer. Here are a few real-world examples of what we’ve seen and how to spot the signs before you click: 

The “Boss in a Hurry” 

An employee once received an email that looked like it came from their manager. The subject line was short and urgent: “Quick favor.” The message inside was simple; “Can you pick up $500 in gift cards and send me the codes?” 

At first glance, it was believable. But when the employee slowed down and checked the sender’s address, the truth came out: the email came from a free Gmail account, not the company’s domain. 

Lesson: Always check the actual email address—not just the name. 

The “Bank Problem” 

Another common one: an email claiming your account will be frozen unless you “confirm your login immediately.” The message includes a link that looks official, but when you hover over it, the URL goes somewhere completely different. 

A quick pause would remind you—your bank will never email your password or account number, and they don’t shut down accounts through random links. 

Lesson: Credentials and account numbers don’t belong in email. If in doubt, log in directly from the official website. 

The “Vendor Invoice” 

Phishers also love to impersonate vendors. One company got what looked like a routine invoice from a regular partner—but the dollar amount was higher than normal. The email was polite, professional, and carried the vendor’s logo. The only giveaway? The return address had one extra letter slipped in—easy to miss unless you looked carefully. 

Lesson: If a request feels unusual or off, verify it another way before sending payment. 

Final thought: The most effective phishing emails don’t look like scams—they look like everyday business. The trick is slowing down and asking three quick questions: 

• Does the sender’s address match who they say they are? 

• Does this request make sense? 

• Is there sensitive info here that doesn’t belong in email? 

If anything feels wrong, don’t respond—verify instead. That extra minute could save your company from a costly mistake.