Listen to this post: Phishing Emails at Work: Examples and How to Report Them
Picture this: Sarah, a finance assistant in a bustling London office, checks her inbox during a coffee break. An email from her CEO pops up at 10pm. “Urgent: Need iTunes gift cards for a client deal. Buy £500 worth now and expense it.” Her heart races. She almost logs into her bank app. Good thing she paused.
That’s a classic phishing email at work. Scammers send fake messages that look real. They trick you into sharing passwords, clicking dodgy links, or wiring money. In 2026, these attacks flood UK workplaces. AI helps crooks fix grammar, steal real company names, and mimic voices. Over 57% of organisations face them weekly. Losses hit £600 million from digital fraud last year alone. Data theft leads to ransomware. Jobs vanish. Reputations shatter.
This post shares real 2026 examples from UK offices. Spot red flags fast. Learn exact steps to report them via NCSC and Action Fraud. Ready to guard your inbox?
Sneaky Phishing Scams Hitting UK Offices in 2026
UK offices buzz with emails. But in early 2026, phishers strike hard. Phishing tops threats for small firms. They send 3.4 billion bad emails daily worldwide. UK fraud is 44% of all crime. Average loss per victim? £900. Workers in finance, IT, and HR fall first. Why? Busy days, trust in bosses, fear of missing deadlines.
Crooks use AI for slick tricks. Fake logos shine. Subject lines scream urgency. Targets range from all staff to execs. One click unleashes chaos: stolen data, locked files, drained accounts. Imagine your screen freezing mid-meeting. Chaos ensues.
Here’s a quick rundown of common 2026 scams in UK workplaces. Each packs a punch.
| Scam Type | Subject Line Example | What It Asks | Targets | Quick Check Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fake HR Perks | “Free Lyft Rides for Team – Claim Now” | Click link for voucher | All staff | Hover link; does it match Lyft? |
| CEO Fraud | “Quick Request – Need Your Help” | Buy gift cards or wire cash | Assistants, finance | Call boss on known number |
| Microsoft Alert | “Your Account is Suspended” | Log in to fix | IT teams | Check sender domain |
| HR Benefits Update | “Update Your Pension Details Today” | Open attachment | Employees | Verify via HR portal |
| Past-Due Invoice | “Overdue Payment – Action Required” | Pay new bank details | Accounts | Phone supplier direct |
| Shared File | “Review Document from Colleague” | Download from Drive | Teams | Ask sender in person |
| Supplier Change | “New Bank for Payroll Bonus” | Update payment info | Finance | Check official letterhead |
| Payroll Bonus | “Your Bonus is Ready – Verify” | Enter bank details | Staff | No bonuses via email |
These hit hard because they blend in. A midnight email from “the boss” feels normal in hybrid work. For deeper real-world samples, check 52 phishing email examples from 2026.
CEO Fraud: When the Boss Seems to Need Cash Fast
The email lands late. “Urgent wire transfer for deal. Keep quiet.” Sender mimics CEO’s name: john.smith@yourfirm.co.uk. But hover shows john-smith@fake.ru. Asks for £5,000 in gift cards or bank transfer. Targets PAs and finance pros. Why it fools? Urgency plus authority. No chit-chat like real boss emails.
In 2026, BEC scams cost firms millions. Up 33% last year. One whaling hit averages $47 million. Picture your desk mate rushing to Tesco for vouchers. Tip: Reply asking for details. Real CEOs pick up the phone.
Fake Alerts from Microsoft or IT Tools
Pop-up fear: “Security breach! Log in now.” From “Microsoft Security” with your firm’s logo. Urges password reset via shady link. Hits IT desks hard. Plays on downtime dread. In offices, one click spreads malware.
AI crafts perfect grammar now. But sender? support@micros0ft-alert.com. Stats show 1.2% of emails malicious. Tip: Use browser login page direct. No email links.
HR and Invoice Tricks That Pressure Staff
“Benefits update overdue” with PDF. Or “Invoice #4567 past due – pay today.” Attachments hide malware. Targets everyone. Urgency: “Act in 24 hours or lose access.” New hires click 44% more.
Fake supplier banks snag payroll. See NCSC guidance on spotting these. Tip: Forward to real supplier email.
Red Flags That Scream ‘Phishing’ in Your Work Inbox
Pause before you click. That gut twinge saves cash. AI polishes scams, but old tricks linger. Spot these eight signs. They shout fake.
- Generic greetings: “Dear User” not “Hi Sarah,” like real team notes.
- Sender mismatch: Name says CEO, but email@randomdomain.net. Hover to check.
- Urgent demands: “Act now or account locked!” Real firms give time.
- Dodgy links: Hover shows bank.com not yourbank.co.uk. Never click.
- Unexpected attachments: “Review.doc” from unknown. Scan first.
- Odd requests: Gift cards? Wires? Bosses use proper channels.
- No personal touch: Misses your role or recent chat details.
- Secret pressure: “Don’t tell IT.” Legit work shares info.
These work even in 2026. Phishing hits 57% of firms weekly. Train teams with quick chats: “Share a scam screenshot weekly.” Verify odd emails by phone or Slack. Build habits. Your inbox stays safe.
For more on defending against them, see NCSC advice for organisations.
Report Phishing Emails the Safe UK Way and Protect Your Team
Spot one? Act fast but safe. Reporting stops spread. Helps NCSC block sites. Protects mates. It’s simple. Follow these steps for work emails.
- Don’t click or reply. Close tab. No info shared.
- Forward full headers. Send to report@phishing.gov.uk. NCSC tracks it. Include all: From, Subject, body.
- Alert IT helpdesk. Use Outlook’s “Report Phish” button if set up. Or email them copy.
- Screenshot evidence. Can’t forward? Snap full screen. Note date, time.
- Escalate if harm done. Clicked link? Lost cash? Call Action Fraud at 0300 123 2040. Contact bank pronto.
Only report inbox emails, not junk. Why bother? UK firms lose billions. Your report shuts scam sites quick. In 2026, self-assessment scams surge near tax deadline. Forward HMRC fakes to phishing@hmrc.gov.uk too.
Team up. Share steps in next meeting. Bookmark this. Easy wins build safe habits. Check threats for small UK businesses in 2026 for more.
Spot Scams, Report Fast, Stay Secure
UK offices face sneaky phishing daily. From CEO cash grabs to fake invoices, examples abound. Red flags like odd senders and urgency give them away. Report via NCSC and Action Fraud to fight back.
Share this with your team. Run a mock email test. Trust your gut on weird ones. Check your inbox now. Spot one today?
Safer workplaces start here. Picture calm desks, no panic calls. You’ve got the tools. Use them.
