lutz logo
lutz logo
  • Services
  • News & Insights
  • About
  • Client Portal
Search
  • Services
  • Accounting
  • Advisory
  • Financial
  • M&A
  • Talent
  • Tech
  • Accounting Services
Services
  • Audit & Assurance
  • Client Advisory Services
  • Outsourced Accounting
  • Tax
  • Business Valuation
  • Litigation Support & Forensic
View All
Industries
  • Agribusiness
  • Construction
  • Family Office
  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing & Distribution
  • Nonprofit
View All
News & Insights
Financial Access Checklist
Guide
Financial Access Checklist

Share this information with your spouse to assure you each have access to manage important financial tasks independently.

Read More
  • Advisory Services
Services
  • Accounting
  • Financial
  • M&A
  • Talent
  • Tech
View All
Resources
The Art of Budgeting
Recording
The Art of Budgeting + Smart Saving Strategies
Learn how to get your finances under control and increase your savings! Hear real-life examples and best practices to secure a successful future.
Watch Now
Business Insights
Comparing Business Valuation Methods
Blog
Comparing Business Valuation Methods: Which is Right for You?
Valuation experts rely on three primary approaches to determine the value of a business: income approach, asset approach, and market approach.
Read More
  • Financial Services
Services
  • Financial Planning
  • Investment Advisory
  • Retirement Plan Services
  • Pooled Employer 401(k) Plan
View All
Resources
  • Lutz Financial Blog
  • Our Team
  • Client Portal
  • Charles Schwab Login
  • Send Files Securely
Contact Us
NEWS & INSIGHTS
Website Featured Content Images
Market Commentary
Financial Market Updates

Want to receive financial market updates straight to your inbox? Sign up below!

Subscribe
  • M&A Services
Services
  • Sell-Side Representation
  • Transaction Advisory
  • Exit Planning
  • Business Valuation
View All
Resources
Selling a C Corporation
Blog
Factors to Consider When Selling a C Corporation

Understand the tax issues affecting both buyers and sellers involved in C corporation merger and acquisition transactions

Read More
Business Insights
Post-Acquisition Checklist
Guide
Post-Acquisition Checklist for a Seamless Transition
To help you navigate this critical period, we've compiled a comprehensive checklist covering key areas that demand attention after the deal closes. 
Read More
  • Talent Services
Services
  • Search & Staffing
  • Outsourced HR
  • HR Consulting
View All
Candidate Resources
  • Job Seeker Process
  • Current Opportunities
  • Lutz Internships
Contact Us
News & Insights
Overcoming Bias in Recruitment
Blog
Unconscious Bias in Recruitment: How to Overcome It
Learn how to take the bias out of recruitment and build a diverse, talented workforce with these tips.
Read More
  • Tech Services
Services
  • Outsourced IT
  • Data Analytics
  • Technology Strategy
  • Software Consulting
View All
Resources
When to outsource your IT
Blog
How to Know When It's Time to Partner with an IT Pro

One day your technology seems manageable, and the next you're wondering if you need more support. Here are the clear signs it's time to outsource your IT.

Read More
Business Insights
Untitled design (1)-Mar-08-2024-08-50-35-9527-PM
Video
Pella Client Testimonial
"I've used them for valuation work, stock transfers, hosting all of my technology, and now data analytics. I'd say they lead the pack in terms of anticipating what I'm going to need before I even know I need it."
View Now
Business Insights
BLOG
Explore Topics

Get the latest news and insights on relevant topics that matter most to you.

View All
Webinars & Events
Events
Register Today

Register for an upcoming event or access our library of on-demand recordings.

View All
Financial Market
COMMENTARY
Stay Informed

Catch up on market moves with our weekly update, featuring in-depth insights and analysis.

View All
Resources
EBOOKS & GUIDES
Download Now

Take a deep dive into challenging business topics with these free educational resources. 

View All
  • News & Insights
  • Business Insights
  • Webinars & Events
  • Financial Market
  • Resources
Business Insights
BLOG
Explore Topics

Get the latest news and insights on relevant topics that matter most to you.

View All
  • About
About

Lutz is a business solutions firm for people seeking a partner to help energize and heighten economic and organizational success.

Our Company
Our Team
Offices
Careers
Internships
Contact Us
  • Contact
Client Portal

Log in to your relevant client portal to access your account, upload documents, or make a payment.

Make a Payment
Accounting Client Portal
Financial Client Portal
Charles Schwab Login
Send Files Securely
Contact Us
  • Cybersecurity

How to Spot the Scam: 3 Ways to Avoid Email Phishing Attacks

Jack Moylan, Account Manager
August 29, 2024
How to Spot the Scam: 3 Ways to Avoid Email Phishing Attacks

If you spend any time at all using email, you’ve probably seen it—a legitimate-looking (or somewhat legitimate-looking) email from a person or company that may or may not be familiar to you.

It could be:

  • A link
  • An attachment
  • A request for your financial or personal information

The email may make a strong argument for providing that information. It could threaten you with a fine, audit, or even arrest. It could be an enticement for a financial windfall. It could even be something as simple as a request to update or verify account settings. Yet, in nearly every case, responding as requested will lead to big trouble.

Phishing has been around for more than two decades, and despite repeated warnings through media and other channels, it remains disturbingly effective. You may think you're too wise to fall prey to a phishing scam, but according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's 2022 Internet Crime Report, phishing and its variants resulted in 300,497 complaints with adjusted losses of over $52 million in the U.S.

At its core, phishing preys on human nature; we all make mistakes, we lead busy lives, and no one is immune from an occasional lapse in judgment or an honest oversight. Unfortunately, the bad guys are upping their game and becoming more sophisticated in their approach and execution. This makes it more difficult for people to decipher legitimate emails from phishing scams.

So, what should you do? We advise all of our clients to take widely accepted precautions such as:

  • Using unique passwords
  • Avoiding public Wi-Fi when accessing or sharing sensitive information
  • Scanning regularly for viruses and malware

On top of that, we recommend that our clients adopt a 3-step approach to guide them in preventing phishing attacks and minimizing damage if they occur:

 

Step 1: Ask yourself, “Is this for me?”

Use judgment when privileged information is being requested. If you work in, say, the marketing department and a mysterious email asks you to review an attached resume, that's an unusual request that should immediately raise a red flag. Your validation process should start with questions that include:

  • Should I be receiving this?
  • Am I expecting it?
  • Does it come through a standard chain of command or from a source I recognize?

If things don't feel right, proceed to step 2. 

 

Step 2: Ask others, “Are we expecting to receive this?”

Say you received this same email in question and suppose further that you work in human resources (HR). Questions to ask include:

  • Am I expecting this resume?
  • Is it standard operating procedure for me to receive it directly—or should it first go through other channels in the organization?

Instead of opening the attachment or clicking on the link, you should contact your supervisor and get verbal validation as to whether this is something you should have received in the first place. If your supervisor can't provide definitive verbal validation, contact your IT professionals immediately.

It's worth stressing: Verbal validation is absolutely critical. At Lutz Tech, we see too many cases where people's email accounts are compromised, and then hackers send phishing emails from those accounts. Such emails may seem legitimate since the senders' addresses are real. Worse still, if you were to reply to such an email and ask if the request is valid, the hacker who commandeered the account surely would reply that it is, setting the scene for disaster.

 

Step 3: Speak Up

Bad situations get much worse when they go unreported. Recently, our technology professionals saw a deviously clever phishing email that appeared at first glance to be from a company's IT department. In it, the respondent was asked to click on a link to reset their password. That link led to a phony company portal page where email credentials were requested.

If you fall victim to a scam like this, the amount of damage that can occur as a result could be significant. Yet, it grows exponentially if the incident goes unreported. By alerting the appropriate IT professionals early on, it's possible to mitigate the damage by:

  • Changing credentials
  • Tightening spam filters
  • Implementing other controls to prevent these types of attacks in the future

 

Strengthen Your Digital Defenses with Lutz Tech

Protecting your business from cyber threats is not just a necessity—it's a strategic priority. A single phishing attack can lead to significant operational disruptions and long-lasting reputational damage. At Lutz Tech, our dedicated IT professionals are at the forefront of cybersecurity, constantly monitoring and adapting to the latest threats. Our technology strategy services help you safeguard your business, ensuring that your operations remain secure and resilient. Contact us today for expert guidance on strengthening your digital defenses.

 

  • Woo, Communication, Activator, Positivity, Input

Jack Moylan

Account Manager

Jack Moylan, IT Account Manager, began his career in 2018. Since joining Lutz, he has become a reliable presence in Lutz Tech, known for his energy, client focus, and ability to connect with people.  With experience as both an Operations Associate and Account Manager, he brings a practical, well-rounded perspective to supporting clients on their technological journeys. 

Managing client relationships across a variety of industries, Jack helps businesses navigate the ever-changing technology landscape. He offers strategic guidance on budgeting, implementation planning, and systems security—ensuring clients feel confident in both their current environment and future direction. Jack thrives on the challenge and pace of the tech world and values the opportunity to collaborate with clients and teammates who are equally passionate about staying ahead of the curve. 

 

Jack lives in Omaha, NE, with his wife, Hannah, and son, Liam. Outside the office, you can find him spending time with family and friends, golfing, attending concerts, traveling, fishing, and hunting. 

402.763.2964

jmoylan@lutz.us

Connect on LinkedIn

Recent News & Insights

Guide
Finding a Lifelong Career
You’ll spend over 90,000 hours of your life at work. That’s more time than you’ll spend with ...
Read More
Rural Hospital
CMS Announces New Method II Billing Edits for Critical Access Hospitals
Starting July 1, 2025, Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) that bill under Method II will face a ...
Read More
Market Commentary
The Dollar and International Diversification + 4.30.25
With recent tariff and trade news, the tone and trading of the dollar has decidedly changed. ...
Read More
Recent News
Lutz Announces Ryan Cook as New Managing Shareholder
Lutz, a Nebraska-based business solutions firm, proudly announces Ryan Cook's appointment as ...
Read More
module-bg-desktop module-bg-mobile

Let’s get you where you want to go.

We work to simplify complexities, help make critical business decisions, and confidently focus on the things that are truly important to you. We embrace your business as our own to spark the right solutions and help you thrive.
Contact Us
Lutz-Logo-white
  • Services
    • Accounting
    • Consulting
    • Financial
    • M&A
    • Talent
    • Tech
  • About
    • Our Company
    • Our Team
    • Offices
    • Careers
    • Internships
    • Current Opportunities
  • Client Portal
    • Make a Payment
    • Accounting Client Portal
    • Financial Client Portal
    • Send Files Securely
    Submit RFP
TOLL-FREE: 866.577.0780 | © Lutz & company, PC 2025 | Privacy Policy
Follow us on Facebook Follow us on LinkedIn Twitter - X Logo Follow us on Instagram Follow us on Facebook