ScamGuard

🪝 What is Phishing? Definition, Examples & How to Stop It

Phishing is the #1 cause of compromised accounts. Got a message that smells off? Paste it below and ScamGuard's AI tells you in seconds whether it's a phishing attempt — and what to do next.

What ScamGuard checks for

  • Free phishing detector for email, SMS, WhatsApp
  • AI-powered — works on perfect grammar too
  • Plain-English red flags explained
  • Covers brand impersonation (banks, PayPal, Microsoft, couriers)
  • Instant verdict — no signup
  • Updated daily from real scam reports

⚠️ Red flags and warning signs

  • Urgent threat ('account will be closed in 24h')
  • Generic greeting ('Dear customer')
  • Link domain doesn't match the brand
  • Asks for password, OTP or payment in gift cards
  • Unexpected attachment
  • Reply-To differs from sender

How to protect yourself

  • Never log in via a link in email or SMS
  • Enable 2-factor auth on every important account
  • Use a password manager
  • Verify with the brand by typing their real URL
  • Check unsure messages in ScamGuard first
  • Report confirmed phishing to APWG and the brand

ScamGuard tools you can use right now

Frequently asked questions

What is phishing in simple terms?

Phishing is when a scammer pretends to be a trusted brand or person to trick you into giving up passwords, payment details, OTPs, or clicking a malicious link. It usually arrives by email, SMS, WhatsApp or a fake call.

What are the main types of phishing?

Email phishing (mass campaigns), spear-phishing (targeted at one person), smishing (SMS), vishing (voice calls), whaling (targeting executives), clone phishing (resending a real email with the link swapped), and angler phishing (fake support accounts on social media).

What's an example of a phishing scam?

An email looking like it's from PayPal saying 'Your payment of $499 was processed — click here if this wasn't you.' The link goes to a fake login page that captures your password. The real PayPal would have you check inside the app, not via an email link.

How does phishing actually work?

Scammers buy lists of email addresses, send millions of look-alike emails, and only need a small fraction of people to click. The click either opens a credential-stealing site, downloads malware, or both. AI now writes perfect grammar so 'bad spelling' is no longer the giveaway.

How do I protect myself from phishing?

Never log in via a link from email or SMS — type the URL yourself. Enable 2-factor auth on every important account. Use a password manager — it won't autofill on fake domains. And check suspicious messages in ScamGuard before clicking.

Where do I report phishing?

Email: reportphishing@apwg.org. SMS: forward to 7726 (SPAM). Brand-specific: phishing@paypal.com, abuse@microsoft.com, etc. And submit to ScamGuard so we warn others about the campaign.

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