Email scams are one of the most common methods cybercriminals use to trick people into handing over money, passwords, or sensitive information. Whether you’re a home user managing your inbox or a business professional dealing with dozens of emails daily, knowing how to spot scam emails is essential for your digital safety.
We’ll show you exactly what to look out for – and how to stay one step ahead of email scammers.
What Are Scam Emails?
Scam emails, often called phishing emails, are fraudulent messages designed to deceive the recipient. They typically appear to come from a trusted source, such as a well-known company, government agency, or even someone you know. The goal is to trick you into taking an action that benefits the attacker, such as clicking a malicious link, downloading a dangerous file, entering personal information, or transferring money.
These emails are crafted to look genuine. They often use familiar branding, official-sounding language, and urgent or threatening messages to pressure you into reacting quickly. Common examples include messages claiming your account has been locked, a payment failed, or you’re entitled to a refund – all designed to trigger panic or curiosity.
Scam emails don’t just target businesses, they affect home users too. In fact, personal accounts are often more vulnerable because they may lack the same levels of protection and awareness.
Phishing tactics continue to evolve, making it more difficult to spot a scam at first glance. This is why knowing the signs, staying alert, and using the right tools are essential. Recognising a scam email before interacting with it is the first step in preventing a costly security breach.
Why Scam Emails Are So Dangerous
Scam emails are dangerous because they exploit human behaviour just as much as technology. They’re deliberately crafted to look convincing and use familiar logos, professional language, and even the names of real people or companies. In many cases, the email content mimics genuine communications so closely that even cautious users can be fooled.
These emails can slip through spam filters and whilst email security systems are improving, scammers are constantly adapting, finding new ways to disguise malicious content so it lands straight in your inbox.
These messages often impersonate someone you trust – a colleague, supplier, delivery service, or even your bank. By exploiting that trust, they encourage you to act quickly without verifying the details. And that’s exactly what they want.
The consequences of interacting with a scam email can be severe. Clicking a malicious link or downloading a rogue attachment can infect your device with malware or ransomware. Entering personal information can lead to identity theft or financial fraud. For businesses, the fallout can include data breaches, regulatory penalties, and reputational damage.
In short, a single careless click could have lasting consequences. That’s why awareness and prevention are critical to staying secure.
10 Clear Signs You’re Dealing with a Scam Email
Scam emails have become more convincing, but they still leave clues. Knowing what to look for can stop an attack before it starts. Here are 10 red flags that should raise your guard:
1. Unknown or Suspicious Sender
Always check the sender’s email address – not just the display name. If it looks odd, unfamiliar, or mimics a brand with subtle misspellings (e.g., support@paypal123.com), proceed with extreme caution. Legitimate companies don’t use alternative domain names.
2. Poor Spelling and Grammar
While not all scam emails are riddled with errors, many contain awkward phrasing, spelling mistakes, or inconsistent formatting. Professional organisations typically send well-edited content and have reviewed the content before sending.
3. Urgent or Threatening Language
Phrases like “Act now or your account will be suspended” are designed to force snap decisions. Scammers thrive on pressure – urgency overrides rational thinking. Its uncommon for a legitimate business to put this kind of pressure on without prior warnings.
4. Unfamiliar Links or Attachments
Hover over links before clicking — if the destination looks suspicious, mismatched, or overly complex, don’t touch it. Attachments can contain malware, ransomware, or keyloggers.
5. Requests for Personal or Financial Details
No reputable company will ask for passwords, bank information, or National Insurance numbers via email. If they do it’s almost certainly a scam.
6. Scam Emails have Too Good to Be True Offers
Scam emails often promise rewards, refunds, or prizes out of nowhere. If you didn’t enter a competition or expect a payment, assume it’s fake and delete it immediately.
7. Impersonation of Trusted Brands
Scammers often spoof familiar companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Apple, or HMRC — copying logos and layouts convincingly. Check the domain, and never click embedded buttons blindly.
8. Generic Greetings
Emails addressed to “Dear customer” or “Hello user” likely weren’t sent by an organisation that knows you. Genuine companies usually personalise their messages.
9. Mismatch Between Name and Address
An email might appear to come from “Microsoft Support,” but the actual address may be a random Gmail or unknown domain. Always verify both fields on the senders email details.
10. Unexpected Attachments in Scam Emails
Any unsolicited email with an attachment – especially PDFs, ZIP files, or Office documents is a major red flag. These are common carriers for malware and should not be opened
Pro Tip
If something feels off, trust your instincts. It’s always safer to double-check than to clean up after a breach…
What To Do If You Receive a Scam Email
Even the most cautious users receive scam emails. The key is knowing how to respond calmly and correctly. Here’s exactly what to do if something in your inbox doesn’t feel right:
1. Do Not Click Anything
Avoid clicking on links, buttons, or attachments. Even previewing a malicious file can trigger malware, spyware, or ransomware downloads. One careless click is all it takes to compromise a device or network.
2. Do Not Reply to the Scam Email
Never engage with a suspicious sender. Replying tells scammers your email address is active, which may lead to more phishing attempts or inclusion on spam mailing lists.
3. Mark as Spam or Report It
Most modern email platforms have a “Report phishing” or “Mark as spam” option. This helps improve global filters and may stop the scam from reaching others. In businesses, flag the message to your IT or security team immediately.
4. Verify Through Official Channels
If the email claims to be from your bank, a delivery company, or HMRC, visit their official website directly or call a known phone number — never use links or contact details provided in the suspicious email.
5. Scan Your Device
If you clicked a link or opened an attachment, run a full scan using trusted antivirus or EDR (Endpoint Detection and Response) software. Disconnect from Wi-Fi while scanning if possible, to stop any potential outbound communication with an attacker.
6. Change Passwords Immediately
If you entered login credentials, change your passwords straight away – starting with the affected account and any others that use the same password. Use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) or Multi-factor authentication (MFA) wherever possible.
7. Inform Others of the Scam Email
If you’re in a workplace or family setting, let others know – especially if the email may have gone to multiple recipients. Early awareness can stop a wider issue before it spreads.
How to Protect Yourself From Scam Emails
Spotting scam emails is one part of the puzzle, prevention is the other. Here’s how to build strong, ongoing protection around your email, devices, and digital identity.
Use a Professional Email Security Service or Spam Filter
Basic spam filters aren’t always enough. Advanced email security solutions can block phishing attempts, flag suspicious senders, and inspect links and attachments before they reach your inbox. Businesses especially should implement email security gateways or endpoint security with threat detection.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) or Multi-Factor Authentication(MFA)
Even if someone gets your password, with 2FA or MFA enabled, it adds a critical second layer of protection. Use an authenticator app or SMS code for all your online logins, especially for email, banking, and cloud services.
Keep Your Antivirus and Operating System Updated
Updates often include security patches that fix newly discovered vulnerabilities. Outdated systems are a prime target for attackers. Set devices to update automatically wherever possible.
Educate Others in Your Household or Workplace
Cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. Teach family members or employees how to identify scam emails and what to do when they receive one. A single mistake by one person can put everyone at risk.
Use Strong, Unique Passwords for Every Account
Avoid reusing passwords across multiple sites. If one site is compromised, your other accounts become vulnerable. A strong password should be long, random, and contain a mix of characters, numbers and symbols.
Consider a Password Manager
Password managers securely store and generate unique passwords for every account. They also help identify reused or weak credentials, reducing the risk of credential stuffing attacks.
Stay Informed About Common Scams
Cyber threats constantly evolve. Subscribe to a trusted security blog, follow industry updates, or use services that alert you to known phishing campaigns and breaches.
Protect Yourself with CybrSupport
At CybrSupport, we help both home users and businesses put these safeguards in place – from advanced spam filtering to staff awareness training. The best defence isn’t just reacting to scams – it’s building a system that prevents them from getting through in the first place.
Let us know if you’d like a tailored email security package or an audit of your current defences.