Phishing Email Detection Cheat Sheet | Spot Scam Emails & Fake Links | Email Security Guide | Printable PDF | Digital Download

Would You Click This Email?

Phishing emails pretend to be your bank, a delivery company, the IRS or even a friend. The convincing ones look real enough to fool careful people:

✕ An email from "your bank" says your account is locked

✕ A delivery notice arrives for a package you don't remember ordering

✕ The sender's name looks right, but you never checked the actual address

✕ "Act within 24 hours or lose access" makes you panic-click

✕ An "invoice" attachment shows up that you weren't expecting

✕ You already clicked, and now you're not sure what to do

The Phishing Email Detection Cheat Sheet gives you a fast, repeatable check. It lists the warning signs to look for, the checks that expose a fake, and what to do if you've already clicked. Keep it next to your inbox and you can check a suspicious message in under a minute.

What's Inside

✔ Check The Sender

• Check the real email address, not just the display name.
• Spot lookalike domains like "amaz0n.com" or "paypaI.com" (a capital i in place of the L).
• Notice when the reply-to address doesn't match the sender.

✔ Scan The Message

• Urgent threats and deadlines
• Generic greetings like "Dear customer"
• Spelling and grammar slips in "official" mail
• Attachments you weren't expecting

✔ Don't Click

• Preview where a link really goes before you open it.
• When in doubt, type the company's web address yourself in a new tab.

✔ If You Clicked

• Don't enter anything; close the page.
• If you typed a password, change it right away from a trusted device.
• If you downloaded anything, scan your device.
• Report the email to your email provider or IT team.

✔ Pro Tip

Why phishing usually depends on you using their link or their phone number, and how going to the company directly gets around it.

Perfect For

Gmail, Outlook and Yahoo users · Online banking customers · Seniors targeted by scam emails · Parents teaching family email safety · Employees and remote workers · Small business owners · Students

Why You'll Love It

✓ Instant digital download

✓ One printable page

✓ Check any email in under a minute

✓ Works with any email provider

✓ Covers spotting a fake and what to do after a click

✓ Great to post by your desk or share with family

Great Companion Guides

Online Banking Safety Checklist · Payment App Safety Checklist · Spotting Malicious Apps Cheat Sheet · Monthly Statement Review Tracker · Safe Online Shopping Checklist · Wire Transfer Safety Card

All sales final.

Why it works: It's one page you can check in under a minute, right next to your inbox. It works with Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo or any other email provider.

📄 1-page printable PDF (US Letter) · Instant download · Unlimited personal printing

A Making Sense Of Security guide: free guides and tools at MakingSenseOfSecurity.com

Save With A Bundle

This card is part of a $5 bundle — get the full set and save:

• Student Safety Bundle — $5

Great Companion Guides

Pair this cheat sheet with:

Online Banking Safety Checklist

Payment App Safety Checklist

Spotting Malicious Apps Cheat Sheet

Monthly Statement Review Tracker

Safe Online Shopping Checklist

Wire Transfer Safety Card

All Sales Final. Please reference this page for details.