If you receive an email that looks suspicious, don't click any links, don't open any attachments, and don't reply.


Instead, report it directly from Outlook.


Step 1: Select the Email

Click once on the suspicious email to highlight it.


Step 2: Click the Report Button

At the top of Outlook, click the shield icon labeled Report.


Step 3: Choose "Report Phishing"

Click:

Report → Report Phishing

Outlook will submit the email to Microsoft for analysis and remove it from your inbox.

That's it. - The entire process takes about 5 seconds.



If you don't see the red shield:

  1. Open the email
  2. Click the three-dots ... (More Actions) menu in the upper-right corner
  3. Select Report


1 - More Actions , 2 - Report, 3 - Report Phishing or Report Junk




Which Option Should I Choose?

If the Email Is... Report Junk Report Phishing Block Sender
Unwanted advertisement ✅ ❌ ✅
Newsletter you didn't sign up for ✅ ❌ ✅
Sales solicitation ✅ ❌ ✅
Fake invoice ❌ ✅ ❌
Fake Microsoft login email ❌ ✅ ❌
Request for passwords or MFA codes ❌ ✅ ❌
Request to buy gift cards ❌ ✅ ❌
Suspicious attachment ❌ ✅ ❌
Legitimate sender you no longer want emails from ❌ ❌ ✅
You're not sure ❌ ✅
❌

What Happens When I Choose Each Option?

Option What It Does Who Benefits?
Report Junk Tells Microsoft the message is spam and moves it to Junk Email. You and future spam filtering.
Report Phishing Tells Microsoft the message is a security threat and helps improve protection for everyone. The entire company.
Block Sender Prevents future messages from that sender from reaching your Inbox. Only you.

The Easy Rule


Think about the sender's intent:

They are trying to SELL something

➡️ Report Junk

Example:

"Save 40% on office supplies!"

They are trying to TRICK you

➡️ Report Phishing

Example:

"Your Microsoft password expires today. Click here to keep access."

They are legitimate, but you're tired of hearing from them

➡️ Block Sender

Example:

A recruiter emails you every week about jobs you don't want.

The One Thing to Remember

If the email is suspicious, report it. Don't just block it.

Action Helps Only You Helps Everyone
Delete ✅ ❌
Block ✅ ❌
Report Junk ✅ ✅
Report Phishing ✅ ✅✅✅