---
title: "Is This Email a Scam? A 10-Point Checklist for Small Businesses | Comp Components"
description: "Not sure if an email is real? A 10-point phishing checklist for Temecula small businesses, what to do if you already clicked, and how to protect your team."
url: https://compcomponents.com/is-this-email-a-scam.html
---

Free guide from a Temecula IT company

# Is this email a scam? A 10-point checklist

Phishing emails are the most common way small businesses get hacked. Before you click, reply, or pay, run through this checklist.

[Open the step-by-step guide](https://help.compcomponents.com/troubleshooter)
[Still stuck? Call 951-595-7716](tel:19515957716)

## Warning signs

1. **The sender's address doesn't match.** The name says your bank or Microsoft, but the actual email address is something else. Look at the address, not just the name.
2. **It's urgent or threatening.** "Your account will be closed today," "final notice," or "act now" are classic pressure tactics.
3. **It asks you to sign in.** Links that take you to a login page for Microsoft 365, your bank, or a shipping company are the most common trap.
4. **It asks for money or gift cards.** Especially a "boss" asking for gift cards or an urgent wire transfer.
5. **Payment details changed.** A vendor emails new bank details for an invoice. Always confirm by phone using a number you already have.
6. **Unexpected attachments.** Invoices, voicemails, or "documents" you weren't expecting, especially .zip, .html, or files that ask you to enable macros.
7. **Links don't match.** Hover over a link (don't click) and check where it really goes.
8. **Generic greeting.** "Dear customer" from a company that knows your name.
9. **Odd spelling or formatting.** Less common than it used to be, but still a warning sign.
10. **It just feels off.** Trust that instinct. Checking takes a minute; recovering from a breach can take weeks.

## What to do

* **Don't click, reply, or open attachments** to "test" it.
* **Verify another way.** Call the person or company using a number you already have, not one in the email.
* **Report and delete it.** In Outlook, use *Report → Report phishing*.

## Already clicked or entered a password?

Act quickly. Change that password from a different device, make sure multi-factor authentication is on, and call us at [951-595-7716](tel:19515957716). The sooner it's handled, the less damage it can do.

Want to know how well your business is protected against phishing? Take the free [IT Gap Assessment](https://help.compcomponents.com/assessment) in our Help Center. It checks MFA, email protection, backups, and staff training in about five minutes.

## When it's more than a quick fix

### Windows Server Support

Active Directory, Group Policy, Hyper-V, and migrations, 2012 R2 through 2025.

[Learn more →](https://compcomponents.com/windows-server-support-temecula.html)

### Microsoft 365 Management

Teams, SharePoint, Exchange, MFA, and security policy management.

[Learn more →](https://compcomponents.com/microsoft-365-support-temecula.html)

### Network Support

Wi-Fi, firewalls, VPN configuration, and network troubleshooting.

[Learn more →](https://compcomponents.com/network-support-temecula.html)

## Serving Temecula Valley and the surrounding area

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## Need IT support today?

Server down, network issue, or just tired of unreliable support — reach out and we'll get back to you fast.

[951-595-7716](tel:19515957716)

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Comp Components · Temecula, CA · 951-595-7716 · support@compcomponents.com · https://compcomponents.com/contact.html