Report a Phishing Email in Outlook

This article explains how to report suspected phishing messages using Microsoft Outlook for Windows, Mac, the web, iPhone, and Android. 
Before reporting: Do not click links, open attachments, reply, or forward the message. Select the message and use Outlook's built-in reporting command.

Recognize a suspicious message 

• Unexpected password or MFA code requests 
• Urgent threats that an account will be closed or suspended 
• Unfamiliar sender addresses, altered domains, or unusual wording 
• Unexpected attachments or links asking for personal or financial information 

If you clicked a link or responded 

1. Stop interacting with the message or website. 

2. Contact the Motlow IT Help Desk immediately. 

3. Change the affected password using the official Motlow sign-in page. 

4. Report whether you entered a password, approved an unexpected MFA prompt, opened an attachment, or provided personal or financial information. 

Classic Outlook for Windows 

Illustration: reporting phishing in Classic Outlook for Windows. 

1. Select the suspicious email. 

2. Open the Home tab if it is not already selected. 

3. Select Report, then choose Report Phishing. 

Result: Outlook submits the message for analysis and ordinarily removes or moves it from the Inbox. Follow any on-screen confirmation prompts. 

New Outlook for Windows 11

 

Illustration: reporting phishing in New Outlook for Windows 11. 

1. Select the suspicious email. 

2. Select Report on the toolbar. 

3. Choose Report Phishing and confirm. 

Result: Outlook submits the message for analysis and ordinarily removes or moves it from the Inbox. Follow any on-screen confirmation prompts. 

Outlook on the web 

Illustration: reporting phishing in Outlook on the web. 

1. Select the suspicious email in the message list. 

2. Select Report on the toolbar. 

3. Choose Report phishing and confirm. 

Result: Outlook submits the message for analysis and ordinarily removes or moves it from the Inbox. Follow any on-screen confirmation prompts. 

Outlook for Mac 

Illustration: reporting phishing in Outlook for Mac. 

1. Select the suspicious email. 

2. On the Home tab, select Report. 

3. Choose Phishing and confirm. 

Result: Outlook submits the message for analysis and ordinarily removes or moves it from the Inbox. Follow any on-screen confirmation prompts. 

If the Report button is missing for Mac Desktop

The new instructions explain how to:

1. Select More options (…) on the Outlook toolbar.
2. Select Customize Toolbar.
3. Locate Report under Email Options.
4. Drag Report to the toolbar.
5. Select Done.
6. Select the suspicious message and choose Report > Report Phishing.

Outlook Mobile for iPhone 

Illustration: reporting phishing in Outlook Mobile for iPhone. 

1. Open the message and tap the three-dot menu. 

2. Tap Report Junk. 

3. Choose Phishing, confirm the report, and tap Done. 

Result: Outlook submits the message for analysis and ordinarily removes or moves it from the Inbox. Follow any on-screen confirmation prompts. 

Outlook Mobile for Android 

Illustration: reporting phishing in Outlook Mobile for Android. 

1. Open the message and tap the three-dot menu. 

2. Tap Report Junk. 

3. Choose Phishing and confirm the report. 

Result: Outlook submits the message for analysis and ordinarily removes or moves it from the Inbox. Follow any on-screen confirmation prompts. 

If the Report command is missing 

• Update Outlook and restart the application. 

• Try Outlook on the web. 

• Contact the Motlow IT Help Desk at 931-393-1510 for the approved alternate reporting method. 

• Do not forward the suspicious message unless IT specifically instructs you to forward it as an attachment.