5 Signs of a
Phishing Email
Security Awareness Training — 2024
Sign 01 — Sender Address
The address looks almost right
Urgent: Verify Your Account
From: security@meridianbank-secure.com
Dear Customer, your account requires immediate verification...
Red flag: Real Meridian emails only come from @meridianbank.com — never variations like "meridianbank-secure.com"
Sign 02 — Urgency Tactics
It creates fear or urgency
⚠ URGENT: Account closes in 24 hours
Your account will be permanently deleted unless you verify within 24 hours. Act now to protect your funds.
Red flag: Urgency is a manipulation tactic. Legitimate banks never threaten immediate closure. When you feel rushed — slow down.
Sign 03 — Deceptive Links
The link goes somewhere else
Verify your Meridian account
Click to verify: www.meridianbank.com/verify
Actual destination:
http://62.148.201.94/steal/login
Red flag: Hover before you click. The displayed text can say anything — the real destination is what matters.
Sign 04 — Data Requests
It asks for sensitive info
Security check — reply now
Please reply with your Social Security Number, banking password, and one-time passcode to confirm your identity.
Red flag: Meridian will never ask for your password, SSN, or OTP via email. Ever. Report these immediately.
Sign 05 — Poor Writing
Spelling errors and generic greetings
Importent notiice from you're bank
Dear Valued Customer, we notised unusuall activety on your account. Please to be clicking here immediate.
Red flag: Meridian always uses your name and proofs every communication. Errors and generic greetings are phishing tells.
🛡️
Stay sharp. Stay safe.
Spot a phishing email? Forward it to [email protected]
01
Suspicious sender address
02
Urgency or fear tactics
03
Links that go elsewhere
04
Requests for sensitive info
05
Poor spelling & generic greetings
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