Determine if the nature of the correspondence is suspicious. The subject content of the email, phone call, or text message will often help you determine if the message is legitimate.
Phishing correspondences will usually ask you for sensitive, personal information that the organization should already have. For example, if your bank sends you an email asking you to provide them with your bank account and routing number, it may be a phishing scam.
In some cases, phishing correspondence may be written to induce panic or assume a threatening tone designed to make you act immediately and provide your personal information.