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How to Spot—and Stop—Phishing Emails and Texts
Trivia: Who played the first TV incarnation of Batman (1966 series)?
RetireHub
November 18, 2025
Rise and shine, RetireHub community! ☀️ Your Tuesday newsletter is here!
Today we’re sharing smart tips onHow to Spot—and Stop—Phishing Emails and Texts, along with the best deals, fun trivia, and more!
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On this day in 1928, Mickey Mouse made his official debut in Steamboat Willie, ushering in a new era of animation. This charming black-and-white short wasn’t just another cartoon—it was one of the very first to feature synchronized sound, which made audiences gasp and laugh in ways they’d never experienced before. Mickey’s whistling, the playful music, and the inventive visual gags helped turn him into a worldwide icon almost overnight. Today, Steamboat Willie is remembered as a landmark moment in entertainment history and the beginning of Walt Disney’s transformation from a small studio into a cultural legend.
How to Spot—and Stop—Phishing Emails and Texts
Staying safe online has become just as important as locking your front door. Phishing scams—fraudulent emails, texts, or messages designed to trick you into sharing personal information—are becoming more sophisticated every year. The good news? With a few reliable habits, you can protect yourself with confidence.
Phishing messages often create a sense of urgency. You might see a text claiming your bank account is locked, a notice saying a package couldn’t be delivered, or an email warning of suspicious activity. Scammers rely on pressure, hoping you’ll act quickly before you’ve had time to think. When you see something alarming, take a breath. Real companies will never punish you for verifying information before responding.
Another red flag is unfamiliar or suspicious sender information. Phishing emails often come from addresses that look almost right—but not quite. Extra numbers, odd punctuation, or misspelled company names are all signs of trouble. The same goes for text messages that include random links, shortened URLs, or demands for immediate action.
Pay close attention to spelling and grammar, too. While scams have improved, many still contain awkward phrasing or small mistakes that legitimate organizations rarely make. If something feels “off,” trust your instincts.
Links are one of the most dangerous parts of a phishing message. Never click a link unless you’re absolutely certain it’s legitimate. Instead, go directly to the company’s website by typing the address into your browser, or call the customer-service line printed on your card or statement—not the number in the message.
If a message asks for sensitive information—such as your Social Security number, password, banking details, or verification codes—stop immediately. Reputable companies never ask for this kind of personal information through email or text.
Protecting yourself also involves a few easy tech habits. Keep your phone and computer software updated, turn on two-factor authentication for important accounts, and use strong, unique passwords. These small steps make it much harder for scammers to break in, even if you accidentally interact with a suspicious message.
Finally, don’t delete a phishing attempt right away—report it. Most email services allow you to mark messages as junk or phishing. Many cell providers let you forward scam texts to 7726 (which spells “SPAM”) to help block future attempts. Every report helps protect others, too.
With awareness, patience, and a few smart habits, you can stay one step ahead of scammers—and keep your online life safe and stress-free.
How do you usually handle suspicious messages? |
Yesterday’s Poll Results: How often do you check your net worth?
Most respondents keep an eye on their financial picture at least a few times a year, making that the leading habit by a comfortable margin. A significant group shared that they’ve never checked their net worth before but are thinking about starting—a great sign of growing financial awareness. Others prefer checking only when major life events happen, while a smaller portion reviews theirs annually or follows their own unique approach.
TOP COMMENTS
“Every month, cause I get a statement from the brokage house.”
“I can pull out a rough number off the top of my head, and I regularity do it when checking up on my 401(k), usually every Sunday ... I only deal with four numbers, my 401(k), my checking account, my home's theoretical, real estate website value, and my remaining mortgage ... Those four numbers are my meat and potatoes ...”
“A couple of times a year, unless something happens to warrant checking it. At this moment we owe more than we bring in but working on that.”
“All the time. It’s my metric to decide how far off retirement is. It’s my reminder to donate now to charities I care about. It’s my justification for providing money to my kids before I’m dead.”
“I track our finances and sit down with my husband at the end of each quarter to see how we are progressing.”
“Every other day”
How to Talk Money with Aging Parents: Four Compassionate Tips
When having the “money talk” with aging parents, start by acknowledging your own emotions—such as fear, guilt, or frustration—to ensure you lead with care and understanding. Next, create a welcoming space for discussion by recalling positive financial moments and asking about their past decisions, building trust without blame. It’s crucial to support their autonomy, helping them make informed choices rather than taking control, and to build a team—including siblings or trusted professionals—so everyone works together respectfully toward shared goals.
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Slang Phrase of the Day
Phrase: Slaps
Meaning: In slang, “slaps” is used to describe something—usually music—that is exceptionally good, catchy, or energizing. If a song “slaps,” it means it’s so enjoyable you can’t help but react to it.
In a sentence: “My granddaughter played me a new jazz remix the other day, and I have to admit—it really slaps!”
Good News of the Day
Delivering Good Celebrates 40 Years of Gift-Giving That Heals
A nonprofit called Delivering Good is celebrating its 40th anniversary by marking a remarkable impact—over $3 billion worth of new clothing, toys, and home goods distributed to people facing poverty, disaster, and other hardships. What began as two small charities—one focused on children in need and the other on disaster relief—has grown into a national organization that partners with retailers and manufacturers to give families essential items with dignity. As they look ahead, the group aims to scale up even further, faster, and smarter, using decades of experience to bring more comfort and hope to millions in crisis.
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RetireHub Trivia
Want more trivia? Play our “Nostalgia Trivia Game” on our site! We add fresh questions daily, so there’s always something new to test your knowledge.
Not into trivia? No worries! We’ve got plenty of other fun games to enjoy, like:
Who played the first TV incarnation of Batman (1966 series)? |
What is the chemical symbol for potassium? |
Which famous artist painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel? |
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