What Is a Phishing Scam and How to Report It Effectively?
A phishing scam is a deceptive email, text message, or online communication that appears legitimate but is designed to steal money or sensitive personal information. Phishing is one of the most common cyber threats today, targeting individuals and organisations alike.
How to Spot a Phishing Email
Phishing emails are crafted to trick recipients into entering confidential information such as passwords, credit card details, or account numbers by clicking on malicious links.
Typical signs of phishing include:
- Generic greetings like “Dear Customer” instead of your name.
- Poor grammar, spelling mistakes, or unusual language.
- Urgent requests for immediate action, like paying a fee or updating account details.
- Unexpected messages about prizes, deliveries, or account alerts.
- Mismatched URLs that don’t match the official website.
Clicking on a phishing link can lead to malware infection or identity theft. With the rise in online activity, phishing scams have become increasingly sophisticated and prevalent.
How to Report a Phishing Scam
If you suspect an email is a phishing attempt, do not click any links or open attachments. Reporting it promptly can prevent further attacks.
1. Contact the Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Report suspicious emails to the ISP used to send the message:
- Yahoo: Report to Yahoo
- Gmail: Click the ‘Report Spam’ button.
- Hotmail/Outlook: Click the ‘Report Phishing’ button.
2. Notify the Company Being Spoofed
If the email impersonates a bank or retailer, alert the company. Many organisations have dedicated fraud-reporting pages and guidance for affected users.
3. Report to Action Fraud
Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cybercrime. Reports are analysed by the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, helping disrupt criminal activity and prevent further scams.
Learn More About MetaCompliance Solutions
Phishing attacks continue to be one of the most effective methods used by cybercriminals, making employee awareness and rapid response essential. MetaCompliance helps organisations reduce phishing risk through targeted education, real-world phishing simulations, and actionable insights that strengthen human defences.
Our Human Risk Management Platform supports phishing prevention and response through:
- Automated Security Awareness
- Advanced Phishing Simulations
- Risk Intelligence & Analytics
- Compliance Management
To strengthen your organisation’s ability to detect, report, and prevent phishing scams, contact us today to book a demo.
FAQs about How to Report a Phishing Scam
What is a phishing scam?
A scam where attackers impersonate legitimate entities to steal sensitive information or money.
How can I identify a phishing email?
Look for poor grammar, urgent requests, generic greetings, mismatched URLs, or unexpected messages.
Is phishing only via email?
No, phishing can also occur via text messages, social media, and phone calls.
Can phishing attacks lead to identity theft?
Yes, stolen information can be used for identity theft or sold to other criminals.