Why Spotting a Scam Email Is Still a Skill Worth Having

Phishing is still one of the most widespread online threats in 2025 with 91% of cyberattacks reported to begin with a phishing email. Since 2024, the scale and sophistication of cyberattacks have both surged, with cybercriminals now sending 3.4 billion malicious emails every day.

With 82% of phishing websites tailored to smartphones, and 76% using HTTPS, the technical filters most people have in place have to work 10 times harder. Knowing how to detect an AI-powered phishing attack is the last line of defence – but an important one if you want to ensure that you're doing everything right.

Good cybersecurity starts with really simple habits. And, honestly, anyone can adopt them – even grandma.  By learning to recognise the signs: unfamiliar attachments, links and suspiciously urgent demands – you'll be able to stay one step ahead at all times, and keep your data safe.

Main Risks of Scam Emails

I know first-hand that deceptive emails can look very real. Some messages use fake logos, images and familiar names, but most will use urgent language to get a response quickly, causing you to let your guard down. Knowing how to spot a scam message just gives you more control. You can protect yourself and help others avoid becoming victims, too. Even though good antivirus with scam and phishing protection will block many threats, human skills are still needed. Your attention adds an extra layer of security.

Common Signs of a Scam Email

Scam emails often try to get your personal or sensitive information by pretending to be a real company or person. These messages use tricks to seem urgent, trustworthy, or familiar so you will respond or click a link. I’ll be honest, I almost clicked on an email that looked exactly like it came from my bank, warning me of a ‘security breach.' As someone who's constantly travelling, I – rightly or wrongly, always feel that my details are at risk, so It felt urgent and familiar, and I nearly handed over my details before I paused. These days, I look for a few simple clues that help me sniff out the impostors. Here’s what I’ve learned to watch for so you can avoid the same near‑miss.

Fake Sender Addresses

In my experience,  scam emails often use fake addresses. The sender's name may be familiar, but the actual email address could be slightly incorrect, with missing words, extra letters, or unusual domains. To spot a fake email address: Carefully hover over the sender’s name to see the full email. Look out for small changes like “.co” instead of “.com” or “support@amaz0n.com” instead of “support@amazon.com”. Compare the sender’s address to previous, real emails from the same company. Phishing scams use these tricks because many people trust a company’s name but don’t check the full address. If the address looks odd, don’t reply or click any links.

Pressure or Urgency

Phishing attacks often create a sense of urgency to make you act fast. The email might claim your account will be locked or that you need to update your credit card information immediately. Examples of urgency: “Your account will be suspended in 24 hours!” “You must verify your social security number now to avoid problems.” “If you do not confirm your payment details, your order will be canceled.” Scammers do this so you don’t have time to think or check the email. Take a moment and consider whether any real company would demand your confidential information so quickly or threaten you.

Suspicious Links

Many phishing emails include malicious links. These may look like they lead to a real site, but actually go somewhere dangerous. Clicking these links can expose your computer to viruses or trick you into entering usernames, passwords, or credit card numbers. What to check: Hover over links to see the actual web address (URL) in your browser’s status bar. Look for misspelt website names or extra words, like “www.paypaI.com” with an uppercase “I” instead of an “l.” Never click a link if you’re unsure. Instead, go directly to the real website through your browser. Scammers often hope you won't notice small spelling mistakes or strange URLs before they steal your sensitive data.

Generic Greetings or Odd Formatting

A real email from your bank or another trusted company will often use your real name. Scam or phishing emails may use generic greetings such as “Dear Customer” or “Hello User.” They rarely use your full name or personal details. Other signs include grammatical or spelling errors, strange spacing, odd fonts, or unusual layouts. Text that looks copied and pasted, or sentences that don’t make sense. These red flags indicate that the sender does not have your actual account details, so they use a single message for multiple people. Be careful if you see poor grammar or awkward writing, especially if you are asked for private information or card numbers.

Scam Email Examples

Scammers often pose as familiar services, claiming a package is delayed, an urgent bill is overdue, or a critical alert requires immediate attention. They use pressure tactics and authoritative language to prompt you into divulging passwords or opening malicious attachments. Below are some of the most common examples that illustrate these schemes, along with the telltale signs to watch out for.

Missed Delivery Notices

Scam emails that appear to be delivery notifications often claim that a package is waiting or that delivery has failed. They might use logos from companies like FedEx, UPS, or DHL. These emails typically request that you click a link to reschedule or confirm your shipping details. Common signs include Spelling errors, awkward grammar, or generic greetings. Also, be cautious of links that lead to fake websites pretending to be legitimate delivery companies, as well as requests for payment information or personal details. Sometimes, they have a malicious attachment disguised as a tracking slip or invoice. Opening these files can infect your device with malware.

Impersonated “Family Member” Emergencies

This scam pretends to be from a relative in trouble. The sender might claim to be your child or grandchild, stuck in another country, or in need of urgent financial assistance. These emails often beg you not to tell anyone else, creating a sense of panic. Watch for the following signs: Odd requests for money, gift cards, or wire transfers. Strange grammar or a writing style different from what your real family would use. Urgent messages asking for your login credentials or even passwords. These scams rely on you acting fast without thinking, so always double-check before responding or sending money.

Business Payment Scams

These are also called “CEO fraud” or “business email compromise.” The scammer pretends to be a boss or supplier and asks for an urgent payment. The email may look very real, even using correct names and company logos. Look for unusual payment requests, such as changes to bank account details. Last-minute pressure to click a link or open a suspicious attachment. Requests for company login credentials or secret information. Always call the real sender using a trusted phone number if you receive a suspicious payment request. Never click links or download attachments in suspicious emails.

Useful Tools

You can use free online services and built-in email options to find out if an email might be fake or dangerous. These tools help you check hidden info, look up suspicious senders, and even scan for malware.

Gmail’s “Show Original,” MailTester, VirusTotal

Gmail’s “Show Original” lets you see the full email header. The header displays details such as the sender’s actual email address, the path the email took, and any warnings about spam or phishing. Look for signs like mismatched “From” addresses or weird sending servers. MailTester helps you check if an email address is valid. You copy and paste the suspicious email address to see if it exists or if it looks fake. If MailTester says an address is invalid or risky, be extra careful. VirusTotal scans attachments and links for malware. You can upload a file or paste a URL from the email, and VirusTotal will check it against many antivirus programs. Results show if it’s safe or if known viruses, spyware, or other threats are detected.

Scam Email Lookup Services

Scam email lookup services let you search for known scam addresses or suspicious domains. Good options include the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG) and some community-based scam databases. These sites collect reports of scams and track new phishing email addresses. To use them, type the email address or domain into the search box. If the sender shows up as reported or dangerous, don’t reply or click anything. Many services offer additional information, such as when the scam was reported and what type of threat it poses. Some lookup sites also let you report new scam emails, which helps others avoid the same tricks. Always double-check strange emails with at least one trusted scam reporting site.

What to Do If You're Unsure

If you aren't sure whether an email is real or fake, do not click on any links or download attachments. This will help protect your information from possible threats. Double-check the sender. Look up the email address. If it doesn't match the company's website or appears suspicious, be extra cautious. Reach out to the trusted source directly using a phone number or website you find. Do not use contact information or links from the suspicious email. Ask someone you trust for their opinion. A second set of eyes can help spot scams you might miss. Use online tools to check if the email has been reported as a scam. Some examples are scam alert websites or your email provider’s reporting tool. If you still can’t decide, it’s safer to delete the message and move on. Your safety comes first.

Final Tips

Always double-check the sender’s email address. Scammers often use fake addresses that closely resemble real ones. Don’t open links or download attachments from unexpected emails. Even if an email seems urgent, take a second to review it. Use strong passwords and never reuse the same password for different accounts. Adding multi-factor authentication to your accounts helps protect you if your password is stolen. If you get emails asking for personal information, do not reply. Legitimate companies rarely ask for passwords or bank details this way. Look for spelling or grammar mistakes. Fake emails often have awkward language or small errors that look suspicious. Here’s a simple checklist to follow:

Checklist Before Clicking

• Check the sender’s address
• Look for spelling and grammar errors
• Don’t click on unknown links
• Use multi-factor authentication
• Never share personal information

If something feels off, trust your instincts and verify the email by reaching out to the company through their official website. Use a separate app or browser to do this, not the links in the email.

Learn the Red Flags and Stay One Step Ahead

Scammers use emails to trick you into sharing personal details or money. Knowing what signs to look for helps you spot scams before you get fooled. Look at the sender’s address. Scam or phishing emails often use unusual addresses or ones that resemble, but do not exactly match, legitimate companies. For example, an email from “amazonsupport-service@email.co” should raise concern. Check the greeting. Many fake emails use general greetings like “Dear Customer” instead of your real name. Real companies usually use your name if you have an account with them. Watch for urgent language or threats. Emails claiming things like “Your account will be closed now!” or “Act fast to avoid trouble!” are designed to panic you. Scams rely on fear and pressure so you react quickly without thinking.

Common Red Flags in Scam Emails:

Trust your instincts. If something feels strange, don’t click any links or download anything. You can ask someone you trust or contact the company directly using their real website or phone number. Staying alert to these signs makes it much harder for scams to succeed.