The Most Common Phishing Scams Cybersecurity Teams Are Seeing at the Close of Q1

Phishing remains one of the most effective and dangerous ways cybercriminals breach organizations. Despite better email filtering and growing security awareness, attackers are adapting faster than ever. In the first quarter of the year, cybersecurity companies observed a sharp rise in more convincing, targeted, and multi‑channel phishing scams that are harder to detect and easier to fall for. Below are the most common phishing scams security teams saw in Q1, how they work, and what businesses should be watching for.

1. AI‑Generated Email Phishing Gets Personal

Traditional phishing emails were often easy to spot, poor grammar, odd formatting, or generic messaging. That’s no longer the case. In Q1, security providers reported a surge in AI‑generated phishing emails that look and sound legitimate. These messages use artificial intelligence to:

• Mimic writing styles of real employees or vendors

• Reference recent projects, invoices, or meetings

• Remove spelling and grammar “red flags”

These emails often impersonate Microsoft, Google, HR departments, or trusted partners and push users toward credential‑stealing login pages or malicious attachments. Cybersecurity researchers have noted that AI phishing messages now bypass basic email filters and are much more likely to be opened and clicked than older phishing attempts.

What to watch for:

Even well‑written emails can be malicious. Employees should verify unexpected login requests or attachments, especially those creating urgency.

2. Business Email Compromise (BEC) Continues to Grow

Business Email Compromise (BEC) remains one of the most financially damaging phishing scams. In Q1, cybersecurity firms reported continued growth in:

• Fake payment requests

• Vendor impersonation emails

• Executive spoofing (“CEO fraud”)

Attackers often gain access to a real email account first, then monitor conversations before striking, making messages appear completely legitimate. Industry reports show wire‑transfer and invoice‑fraud BEC attacks rose significantly compared to previous quarters, costing organizations billions in losses annually.

What to watch for:

Any changes to payment instructions, banking details, or urgent money requests should be verified using a second communication method (such as a phone call).

3. QR Code Phishing (“Quishing”) Goes Mainstream

QR codes are no longer just for restaurant menus.

In Q1, security teams flagged a rise in QR‑code‑based phishing schemes. These attacks typically involve:

• Emails containing QR codes labeled “scan to view document” or “scan to update account”

• Scanning the code leads to a credential‑harvesting website

• Mobile devices often bypass corporate security controls

Because QR codes can’t be previewed like links, users often scan without thinking — especially on phones. The Anti‑Phishing Working Group reported QR phishing as one of the fastest‑growing tactics in recent quarterly reports [fortra.com], [newswire.com]

What to watch for:

Employees should be cautious about scanning QR codes received via email or printed unexpectedly on documents.

4. Vishing: Phone‑Based Phishing Makes a Comeback

While email gets most of the attention, vishing (voice phishing) made a strong return in Q1.

These scams use phone calls or voicemails to impersonate:

• IT support

• Banks

• Government agencies

• Internal help desks

Some vishing attacks work alongside email phishing, where users receive an email and then a follow‑up call to reinforce urgency. Security research shows phone‑based social engineering is increasingly successful because it creates pressure and feels more “human” than email.

What to watch for:

Legitimate IT teams do not ask for passwords, MFA codes, or remote access over unsolicited calls.

5. MFA Fatigue and Push Notification Attacks

Multi‑factor authentication (MFA) is one of the best phishing defenses, but attackers are adapting.

In Q1, organizations saw more MFA fatigue attacks, where attackers:

• Steal a user’s password

• Trigger repeated MFA push notifications

• Hope the user clicks “Approve” just to make it stop

Once approved, attackers gain instant access, even with MFA enabled.

Security firms report MFA fatigue attacks are especially successful against busy employees working remotely or on mobile devices.

What to watch for:

MFA prompts should only be approved when the user is actively signing in. Unexpected prompts are a strong warning sign.

Why Phishing Works and What Businesses Can Do

Q1 phishing trends show that technology alone isn’t enough. Attackers are relying on psychology, urgency, and trust, not just malicious links.

To reduce risk, organizations should:

• Combine advanced email security with regular security awareness training

• Enforce MFA everywhere and educate users on MFA fatigue

• Implement clear payment‑verification procedures

• Encourage employees to report suspicious messages without fear

Phishing attacks will continue to evolve. The organizations that fare best are those that prepare employees to recognize and respond, not just rely on filters to block every threat.

Stay Ahead of Phishing Threats with Total Communications

Phishing attacks are evolving faster than most internal IT teams can keep up with and it only takes one click to cause serious disruption. Total Communications helps organizations reduce risk by taking a proactive approach to cybersecurity, combining advanced security tools, expert monitoring, and user awareness to defend against today’s most common phishing attacks. Whether you’re concerned about email security, MFA fatigue, or safeguarding your employees against social engineering, Total Communications can help you:

• Strengthen email and endpoint security

• Reduce human risk with security awareness best practices

• Detect and respond to threats before they impact your business

• Build a layered cybersecurity strategy that evolves with the threat landscape

Don’t wait for a phishing attack to test your defenses.