---
title: "How to recognize and report phishing"
license: CC-BY-4.0
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
source: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: FTC Consumer Advice, \"How To Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams\" (public domain (US government work))."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-10-14
date: 2026-10-14
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-10-14
category: how-to
checked_on: 2026-10-14
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "How To Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams"
    publisher: FTC Consumer Advice
    url: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams
    accessed: 2026-10-14
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
  - id: S2
    title: "Use Strong Passwords (Secure Our World)"
    publisher: CISA
    url: https://www.cisa.gov/secure-our-world/use-strong-passwords
    accessed: 2026-10-14
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
---
# How to recognize and report phishing

## Summary
Phishing messages pose as a trusted company and push you to click a link, open an attachment, or "confirm" information. Contact the company through a number or site you already know. Forward phishing email to reportphishing@apwg.org, texts to 7726, and report to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

> **General information. Follow the official source for full instructions.**

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: Common phishing stories: suspicious activity on your account, a payment problem, a need to confirm personal information, an unrecognized invoice, a government refund, or a free coupon.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F2
  claim: Warning signs include a generic greeting and a request to click a link to update payment details.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F3
  claim: If the message seems to come from a company you deal with, contact it using a phone number or website you know is real, not the message's links.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F4
  claim: Protections: auto-updating security software and phone software, multi-factor authentication, and backups.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F5
  claim: Report phishing email to reportphishing@apwg.org, phishing texts to 7726 (SPAM), and either to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
- id: F6
  claim: If you gave a scammer your information, IdentityTheft.gov lists steps based on what was exposed.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0

## Pointers
- answers: Full official guidance beyond this summary
  where: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams; https://www.cisa.gov/secure-our-world/use-strong-passwords
  access: open, no account