phishing email

Meaning

This is a fraudulent email designed to look like a legitimate message from a trusted organization (like a bank or a government agency). Its goal is to trick the recipient into revealing sensitive information, such as passwords, credit card numbers, or personal data.

Examples

• I almost clicked the link, but then I realized it was a phishing email.

  I almost clicked the link, but then I realized it was a phishing email.

• Our company's IT department sent a warning about a new phishing email circulating this week.

  Our company's IT department sent a warning about a new phishing email circulating this week.

• A typical phishing email often creates a false sense of urgency to make you act quickly.

  A typical phishing email often creates a false sense of urgency to make you act quickly.

• If you receive a suspicious message asking for your password, it's likely a phishing email.

  If you receive a suspicious message asking for your password, it's likely a phishing email.

• He lost access to his bank account after falling for a clever phishing email.

  He lost access to his bank account after falling for a clever phishing email.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I received a fishing email today.

  ✓ I received a phishing email today.

  Although pronounced exactly like 'fishing,' the cybersecurity term is spelled with a 'ph' (phishing).

• ✗ Don't get tricked by the phishing.

  ✓ Don't get tricked by the phishing email.

  'Phishing' is the general noun for the illegal activity, but when referring to the specific message itself, you should use 'phishing email' or 'phishing scam'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• The bank will never ask for your password, so that message is definitely a ___.

  💡 A fake email designed to steal your credentials.

  Show answer

  phishing email

• I deleted the ___ because the sender's address looked completely fake.

  💡 A fraudulent message disguised as a legitimate one.

  Show answer

  phishing email