Identifying and Reporting Email Scams

Instructions on how to identify and report phishing emails 

Phishing is when someone is using malicious attempts to gain control of your account through email. How to identify phishing: 

– Links: Typically phishing emails will have a link. If you do not recognize the URL, do not click the link. 

– Spelling/Grammar: Occasionally, scam emails will have poor grammar and spelling. Official SIU emails have been spell checked and will be error free. 

– Urgent/Threatening Language: Emails that use phrases such as “your account is suspended” or “verify your information” should not be trusted. Requests for financial aid documents, job offers, or account information should not be trusted. 

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Reporting phishing can now be done in Outlook. Here are brief instructions: 

– Website: Click the three horizontal dots in the upper right corner of the email. Select “Report Suspicious” near the bottom of the list. 

– Desktop client: Click the “Report Suspicious PhishAlarm” in upper right on the toolbar. 

– Android app: Tap the three vertical dots underneath the timestamp in the email (NOT in the blue bar). Tap the image that looks like an envelope on a fish hook. 

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Junk mail is different from phishing emails, and it does not have to be reported to the university. Junk can be business advertisements, newsletters, or anything that doesn’t seem malicious. 

From the Outlook website or desktop client, you can mark it as junk by right clicking the email from your inbox and selecting ‘mark as junk’. 

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For more information and images showing how to report phishing emails, go to this website: 

https://oit.siu.edu/infosecurity/training-awareness/spam-scam-advice.php

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