How to Spot a Phishing Email (Part 1)

Welcome to the first part of our email series on the critical topic of how to spot a phishing email, particularly in the healthcare sector. As digital communication becomes increasingly prevalent, the risk of falling prey to these deceptive schemes also grows. These phishing scams often mimic communications from trusted entities like insurance providers or medical institutions, tricking healthcare professionals and patients into divulging sensitive information. This initial email will guide you through identifying common signs of phishing, such as suspicious sender addresses, urgent and alarming language, and unexpected requests for personal information. By mastering these indicators, you can safeguard yourself from the risks associated with these scams, including unauthorized access to personal health information and substantial financial losses. Stay tuned for more in-depth insights in the upcoming parts of this series.

What is phishing?

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), phishing is a type of fraudulent communication that targets individuals and organizations by sending an email or text appearing to be from a well-known source. Cybercriminals use phishing attacks in an attempt to gain sensitive personal information such as passwords, account numbers, credit card information, or social security numbers. For healthcare professionals, this could mean compromising patient data, which is a severe breach of trust and a violation of privacy laws.

How to Spot a Phishing Email?

1) Check the sender’s email address

Carefully examine the sender’s email address. Cybercriminals often use email addresses that appear similar to legitimate sources but contain subtle misspellings or variations. Look for any irregularities in the domain or sender’s name.

2) Beware of urgent or threatening language

Phishing emails often create a sense of urgency or fear to pressure recipients into taking immediate action. Healthcare professionals should be cautious of emails that claim a patient’s life is at risk or demand immediate responses.

3) Examine the email content

Phishing emails often contain grammatical errors, misspellings, or awkward language usage. Legitimate organizations typically have strict quality control over their communications, so errors should raise suspicion.

4) Be cautious with attachments

Avoid opening email attachments from unknown or unexpected sources. Malicious attachments can contain malware or viruses that can compromise your computer and network.

5) Verify the request for personal or sensitive information

Legitimate organizations, including healthcare facilities, should never request sensitive information like social security numbers or login credentials via email. If in doubt, contact the organization directly through a trusted channel to confirm the request’s legitimacy.

6) Look for inconsistencies

Pay attention to inconsistencies in the email, such as unexpected changes in formatting, logos, or branding. Cybercriminals may try to mimic official correspondence, but small discrepancies may give them away.

7) Check the salutation

Legitimate organizations often address recipients by their full name. Be cautious if the email uses generic greetings like “Dear Customer” or “Hello User.”

8) Use email filtering and security tools

Employ robust email filtering and security software to help identify and block phishing attempts automatically. These tools can be a valuable layer of protection.

9) Educate yourself and your team

Ensure that all healthcare professionals on your team are aware of phishing risks and know how to recognize and report suspicious emails. Regular training and awareness programs are essential in maintaining cybersecurity.

Be on the lookout for Part 2 of this How To Spot a Phishing Email series where we’ll provide examples of a Phishing Email and what to do if you suspect Phishing.