The 10 Most Common Phishing Emails of 2021

Editor's note (September 2026): This is a 2021 roundup. The red flags and response steps below still apply. For current phishing email examples, see 8 Examples of Email Phishing Scams You Need to Know.

When it comes to phishing scams and cyber attacks, criminals consistently revise and fine-tune their methods. It is their full-time job to find a way to gain access to sensitive data, whether they're targeting businesses or consumers.

As the volume of attempted cyber attacks continues to grow, with worsening consequences, we must remain vigilant regarding what aspects of our daily online interactions might constitute a scam and how we can protect ourselves.

Phishing is still the top way attackers get in. IBM's Cost of a Data Breach Report 2026 found phishing was the most common initial attack vector for the fourth year in a row, and the average breach cost $4.99 million globally. Everyone should know what phishing emails look like and what to do when they spot one.

What is Phishing?

Hook Security defines phishing as an online scam that reaches consumers and businesses through email messages designed to appear to come from reputable sources, such as banking institutions or internet service providers. These fraudulent messages try to persuade recipients to share information or click a malicious link.

Phishing emails will ask the recipient to verify personal information, typically via a clickable link included in the email. Even if the targeted consumer does not provide personal information, clicking any phishing links can be enough to give cybercriminals complete access to a computer system. Providing this access is disastrous for individuals and always near-catastrophic for businesses.

How to Recognize a Phishing Email

Hook Security lists the biggest phishing email red flags as generic greetings, suspicious sender addresses, urgent or emotional language, requests to verify personal information, and messages that contain only a link. Spelling mistakes used to be a giveaway, but AI now lets scammers write clean copy, so don't count on them. If an email shows these warning signs, don't click the link or share information. Verify the request through contact details you already trust and report the message, as CISA recommends.

• Information phishers will pose as a legitimate company yet ask consumers to verify personal information via email, which is not typical for mortgage lenders or banks.
• Phishing emails rarely address recipients by name, beginning with "Dear Account Holder" or "Dear Valued Member."
• Phishing emails tend to have suspicious email addresses instead of domain addresses. For example, a scammer might use support@paypal22.com because they don't have access to the actual PayPal domain.
• Phishing emails consistently tend to have bad grammar and various spelling mistakes, though this is less reliable now that scammers use AI to write.
• Some phishing emails don't include any information other than a hyperlink. Clicking this link can easily download ransomware or spam onto a computer. Any established company attempting to reach their customers regarding account information will not include a hyperlink only.
• Phishing emails often use urgent or emotional language that pushes you to act before you think, such as a locked account, an unpaid fee, or a deadline.

What to do if you think you received a phishing email

1. Don't click links, open attachments, or reply, including any "unsubscribe" link.
2. Verify the request on your own. Go to the company's official website or call a number you already trust, not one from the email.
3. Report it. At work, use your Report Phishing button or tell your IT or security team. At home, forward it to reportphishing@apwg.org and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, as the FTC advises.
4. Delete the message.
5. If you already clicked or entered information, tell your IT team right away and change the affected passwords.

Technology alone can't stop every phishing email. People who know what to look for are an organization's best defense.

Employers need to prioritize security awareness training and phishing simulations, working them into how every team operates. With so many people working remotely, a security-first mindset matters more than ever.

Common Phishing Emails in 2021

The 10 most common phishing email themes of 2021 were COVID-19, corporate messages, streaming releases, sporting events, banking fraud, shipping and mail services, travel bookings, dating applications, subscription services, and investment opportunities. Each one shows how attackers use familiar subjects to go after personal, banking, or corporate information.

The Continuation of COVID-19

COVID-19 was a common 2021 phishing email theme because scammers used vaccination news and workplace topics to make fraudulent requests look relevant.

The pandemic has substantially impacted businesses and organizations of all sizes, so 2021 phishing emails related to COVID typically center on the workplace. For example, one particularly effective phishing attempt looks like a poll from HR asking about employee vacation preferences, encouraging employees to insert corporate credentials into a fake form to participate in the survey.

Cybercriminals also found success in offering fake vaccination certificates, and victims were to enter their personal information into a form to "generate a vaccination certificate." It should go without saying that there was no certificate, only stolen information.

Corporate Emails

Scammers love to utilize corporate emails to gain access to sensitive information. It's relatively easy for hackers to create an email that looks like authentic messages from other company employees, employing services or tools used within that specific organization.

For example, it's not uncommon for scammers to send a phishing email as important information from technical support or Microsoft products. Many compelling scenarios are used, including news regarding bonuses or salaries, health insurance, and social benefits information, and details regarding new bank fees.

New Movies and Television Shows

New releases on streaming services such as Netflix and Hulu tend to stir up many phishing emails. People might receive an email from what appears to be their streaming company, enter their credentials on a fake (but extremely convincing) website, and have their username and password immediately stolen.

Phishing emails might also ask for information and account updates, successfully securing a credit card or PayPal information from consumers.

Sporting Events

Phishing emails regarding sporting events, such as the Super Bowl or the FIFA World Cup, are developed and sent well in advance. Consumers should note that the topics included in these emails usually involve invitations to bid on a contract to supply services or goods at the event.

Phishers and cybercriminals are known for creating fake ticketing sites as well. Consumers will pay an excessive amount and receive zero tickets and stolen banking information.

Banking Fraud Victims

Phishers love playing on the public's emotions, particularly regarding monies owed. In 2021, many fake websites imitating well-known banking institutions were blocked and taken down. Scammers took advantage of this by sending out emails meant to draw in consumers with the promise of payouts and compensation for those affected by fake banking websites.

It's also common for attackers to send emails related to issues with mobile banking. These emails are recognizable by the sense of urgency attached to the message, which pushes the recipient to panic and act instantly instead of taking the time to notice inconsistencies within the text.

Shipping and Mail Services

Emails from delivery services were all the rage for cybercriminals in 2021. This type of phishing email usually informs the recipient that a small delivery or mail fee remains unpaid, and consumers can take care of it by clicking the following link.

Those who fall for this trick often lose banking information and personal data to thieves. Another popular method in the shipping niche is to provide a link to a fraudulent website and disguise it as a tracking link.

Travel Bookings

As travel picked back up in 2021, scammers went after travel bookings and vacation tickets. Cybercriminals are forever creating fake resources where consumers can book a fantastic holiday for an amazing deal.

It's also typical to see phishing emails that offer discounts on airfare and train tickets. In these cases, victims lose both money and personal data.

Dating Applications

The shift to dating applications was in motion long before we saw a global pandemic change the world. However, during and in the wake of COVID, more people than ever turned to dating apps to meet someone new.

Many cybercriminals set up shop on dating applications to extract money and information from unsuspecting people. Emails asking for information to join dating websites at a discounted price are also popular.

Subscription Services

The world has never seen so many automatic subscription services, from deodorant and music to grocery shopping and movies. While this is incredibly convenient for us, it's even better for online attackers.

Phishers will exploit streaming services by sending emails inviting consumers to try new streaming outlets at a discounted price or renew subscriptions to specific platforms so you don't lose your data or current price point.

Investment Opportunities

As the topic of investing becomes more common among people online, scammers are taking advantage of the fact that the industry is no longer a targeted niche. Many new investors aren't too familiar with information security rules, and criminals are happily taking advantage.

In these instances, cybercriminals will recreate the informational resources of recognized companies and then offer consumers a chance to make money through investing, whether it be cryptocurrency, oil, or gas. You might be asked for your social security number or bank details to verify your identity and create an account.

The Phishing Forecast

Phishing email themes follow current events, digital launches, and other timely trends, and attackers keep changing their methods to get data that doesn't belong to them.

Staying informed about popular phishing methods, and the safeguards businesses and individuals can put in place, is the best protection.

To avoid falling victim to phishing, companies should teach employees what to look for so scammers can't access sensitive data or install malware. Above all, stay active in enforcing security protocols.

FAQ

How can I tell if an email is a phishing email?

Look for a generic greeting, a sender address that doesn't match the real company's domain, urgent or emotional pressure, a request to verify personal or payment information, and links that don't go where they claim. Hover over a link before clicking to see the real address.

What should I do if I think I received a phishing email?

Don't click, reply, or open attachments. Verify the request through a trusted contact method, report it to your IT team or to reportphishing@apwg.org and ReportFraud.ftc.gov, then delete it. If you already clicked, tell IT right away and change your passwords.

Why are phishing emails about COVID-19, shipping, and banking so common?

They borrow topics people already expect to hear about. A delivery notice, a bank alert, or a health update feels routine, and a sense of urgency pushes people to act before they check whether the message is real.

What are the most common types of phishing emails right now?

The themes haven't changed much since 2021. The FTC says phishing emails today often claim suspicious account activity, a problem with your payment information, an invoice you don't recognize, or a refund or free offer. What has changed is the channel: the same scams now arrive by text (smishing), phone call (vishing), and QR code (quishing). See our current phishing email examples for more.

Book a demo today to learn more about phishing simulations and effective employee security awareness training.