Email Safety & Security

Identifying and Avoiding Phishing

Phishing emails are sent by scammers to fraudulently obtain your personal identification and account information or to lure you into downloading malicious software. Learn to spot the difference between authentic Discover Communications and phishing scams:

• Discover includes the last four digits of your Discover card account number on the top and bottom of most emails
• Discover card emails often include your full name in the greeting line as it is displayed on your card
• Discover will never ask you to reply with information directly in an email
• Always go through our secure Discover.com site whenever you enter or send sensitive information
• A phishing email may contain an urgent request for personal or financial information such as user IDs, passwords, date of birth, Social Security number and credit card numbers
• A phishing email may contain grammar, spelling, or punctuation errors
• Identify masking links by holding your mouse over a link to reveal the actual web address
• Don't click on mismatched web addresses because this could initiate virus installations

Examples of Common Discover Phishing Emails

We've provided three types of phishing emails that you could receive. Different elements of phishing emails are pointed out, so you can become better at noticing and preventing fraud.

Worried You've Been Phished? Take Action.

• If you suspect that you have received a phishing or fraudulent email, forward it to emailwatch@discover.com
• If you interacted with the email and believe your account security has been compromised, please call 1-800-DISCOVER (1-800-347-2683) immediately
• Visit the U.S. Government's Consumer Protection website and report phishing emails to the Federal Trade Commission.