Email scams have become more sophisticated than ever. From fake delivery notices to urgent messages claiming to be from your bank or government agency, scammers are constantly finding new ways to trick people. Knowing how to spot a scam email is your first line of defense against fraud.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the red flags, show you real examples, and explain what to do if you receive or fall victim to a scam email.
🕵️♂️ What Is a Scam Email?
A scam email is a fraudulent message designed to trick the recipient into taking an action—like clicking a link, downloading an attachment, or sending personal or financial information. These emails often impersonate trusted institutions such as the DVLA, HMRC, Amazon, PayPal, banks, or international organizations like the UN.
🚨 Common Signs of a Scam Email
Here’s what to look out for:
1. Suspicious Sender Address
Legitimate companies use official domains (e.g., @gov.uk, @paypal.com). Scam emails might come from:
- Free domains like Gmail, Yahoo
- Misspelled or strange-looking addresses
- Completely unrelated email names
2. Urgent Language or Threats
Phrases like:
- “Final warning!”
- “Your account will be suspended”
- “Immediate action required” …are designed to scare you into reacting without thinking.
3. Unusual Requests
If you’re being asked to:
- Pay a fee via gift cards
- Share your bank login
- Confirm personal info via link …it’s almost certainly a scam.
4. Generic Greetings
Scammers often use “Dear Customer” instead of your real name.
5. Spelling and Grammar Errors
Legit companies rarely make obvious language mistakes. Scam emails often do.
6. Suspicious Links or Attachments
Hover over links before clicking. If they lead to strange URLs or downloads, steer clear.
📩 Examples of Scam Emails
✅ Example 1: Fake Delivery Notification
Subject: Your Evri Parcel is on Hold
Message: We attempted to deliver your parcel today. Please pay the £1.45 redelivery fee to reschedule.
⚠️ This is a phishing scam asking for card details via a fake site.
✅ Example 2: Fake HMRC Refund
Subject: HMRC Refund Notification
Message: You’re due a refund of £426.73. Click here to claim.
⚠️ Looks official, but it’s a phishing attempt to harvest personal info.
✅ Example 3: United Nations Compensation Scam
Subject: Final Notice – You are a Compensation Beneficiary
Message: You’ve been selected to receive $10.5 million for past scam losses. Please pay $52 to process your payment.
⚠️ An advance-fee fraud targeting vulnerable scam victims.
🔒 How to Stay Safe
- Never click suspicious links or download unknown attachments
- Do not reply or engage—this confirms your email is active
- Use spam filters and report scam emails to your email provider
- Double-check the domain—look at the actual email address, not just the display name
- If in doubt, contact the company directly through their official website
📤 How to Report a Scam Email
In the UK:
- Forward to: [email protected]
- Report scams via Action Fraud (actionfraud.police.uk)
In the USA:
- Report to the FTC: reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Forward scam emails to [email protected]
In Australia:
- Report via Scamwatch: scamwatch.gov.au
In Canada:
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre: antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca
💬 What If You Fell for It?
If you clicked a link or entered details:
- Change your passwords immediately
- Contact your bank or credit card provider
- Scan your device for malware
- Report the scam to the relevant authorities
- Keep a record of everything—you may need it for legal or recovery purposes
🤝 Final Thoughts
Scam emails aren’t going away anytime soon—but by learning how to recognize them, you can protect yourself and help others stay safe too. Share this post with friends and family, and be part of the fight against fraud.