Sadly, the idea of phishing emails is something that occurs and will continue. Email providers are constantly working hard to find ways to delete those kinds of emails before they even reach your inbox. When one does, always confirm with someone if you suspect the email is a phishing scam.
One way to avoid for scam emails is to look for flaws in the emails. Check the senders' email address and if you recognize it. Also, check the spelling and details of the email. This may be a payment scam if there are spelling mistakes and easy-to-spot grammar errors. Also, if the email came from someone higher in the organization, contact them by phone or in-person to confirm its authenticity.