How to Tell If Your Team Is Falling for Phishing Attempts

You know that feeling when something seems a little… off?

That’s how phishing works. It sneaks in quietly. An email that looks legit, a link that seems normal, a message that feels urgent. And just like that, one wrong click from a well-meaning employee can open the door to data theft, ransomware, or even a full-blown breach.

So how do you know if your team is falling for phishing attacks? Here are a few red flags to watch for and what to do about them.

 1. They Don’t Report Suspicious Emails

One of the biggest signs your team might be falling for phishing is silence. If no one is reporting phishing emails, it might not mean they aren’t receiving them, it could mean they’re clicking instead.

Train your staff to pause, think, and report before they click. Free resources like the FTC’s phishing guide are great for basic awareness.

 2. You’ve Seen Unauthorized Logins or Password Resets

Phishing attacks often lead to credential theft. If you’re noticing odd login attempts, password reset requests, or security alerts from tools like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace, someone may have been tricked.

Set up multi-factor authentication (MFA) everywhere you can. It’s one of the simplest ways to stop a breach even if credentials are stolen.

3. Staff Clicked a Simulated Phishing Test

Have you run a phishing simulation recently? If not, it’s time. Tools like KnowBe4 offer free phishing tests so you can see who’s at risk and train them before it’s too late.

If your team failed the last one, don’t shame them. Use it as a teaching moment. Phishing scams are designed to trick even the smartest people. Training is about building habits, not pointing fingers.

4. You’re Dealing with Strange Email Behavior

Have employees suddenly stopped getting certain emails? Are clients asking why they got weird messages “from you”? These are signs your domain may have been spoofed or compromised, both common results of phishing.

If something feels off, act fast. Change passwords, contact your IT team, and review email security settings.

The Bottom Line

Your team doesn’t need to be cybersecurity experts, but they do need to know the basics of spotting phishing attempts. Awareness, training, and simple tools like MFA can stop most threats before they start.

Need help training your staff or running a phishing test for your business? We’ve helped teams across Chicagoland build stronger defenses, without blame or burnout.

Let’s chat about how we can help

Because your people are your first line of defense—and they deserve the tools to stay safe.