Also see:
Mark/Unmark a Message as Spam/Phishing in Gmail
Report A Message as Spam/Phishing using Outlook Desktop App
Report A Message as Spam/Phishing using Outlook on the Web
Outlook Web Access - Email goes to the Junk folder by mistake
Here are several things to look out for to guide you as you attempt to identify these:
1. Ensure you know and trust the sender.
This is your first and best way of knowing if an email is real or not. Make sure the sender is someone you know. The only way to be sure is to look at the
email address ([email protected]), not the displayed name (Bob Jones). Look at what follows the "@" in the email address as well.
2. Watch for common spam topics in the subject line.
There are a lot of things it can be about, but strange investment opportunities, unexpected bonuses, payroll or HR changes, long lost relatives, and far away princes most likely aren't really contacting you. It's all a goal to get you to click on a malicious link (i.e. a "call to action")
3. Hover over links and sanity check the URLs before clicking
The words you see on the screen can be manipulated to make them look legit, but the malicious links can't be easily disguised. If there's a Microsoft SharePoint document being shared with you whose link points to someplace other than Microsoft, that's a pretty good clue that something's not right.
Similarly, be sure you check ALL of the links - many emails will have a lot of legitimate links, but the "call to action" link will be a different domain / obscured / malicious.
4. Be especially wary of "calls to action"
Spam emailers frequently want you to send them some sort of personal information. They do this by posing as a trusted and frequently visited website, like Amazon or Facebook, and they need you to send them some information. They will say there's a problem with your account or something similar. It also might pose as a problem with your bank account, payroll info, or some sort of legal trouble.
Similarly, if clicking a link takes you right to a login page, you should be wary of entering your username and password.
5. Don't open any attachments from people you don't recognize or that you weren't expecting.
If you're not expecting the attachment, email or call the person directly (DON'T just reply to the questionable email), and ask if they were trying to send you an attachment.
6. Most of all, if ever in doubt, forward to Pinnacle for review!
We'll be happy to review the email and help you determine if it's legitimate, as well as understand how we made the decision so you can watch out for the same things.
