Scam Emails: How to Spot Them Before You Click

Scam Emails: How to Spot Them Before You Click

Scammers have perfected the email con. Fake invoices, password resets, and security warnings look so convincing that even careful users get tricked.

The good news? Every scam email contains red flags you can spot in seconds — if you know where to look.

Example 1 — “Your Account Will Be Suspended”

 “⚠️ Your account will be deactivated in 24 hours”

Body (typical): 

We noticed unusual activity on your account. Please verify your identity to keep access.

👉 [Verify Now]

⚠️ Why this is a scam

• Generic greeting (“Dear customer”) and threat of suspension.

• Link points to a non-official domain (e.g., secure-login-verify.com).

• Urgent language designed to make you click without thinking.

💡 What’s really happening

The link goes to a fake login page that steals your credentials. Once entered, the attacker immediately tries your email and password elsewhere.

✅ What to do next

1️⃣ Don’t click links in emails.

2️⃣ Type the official website manually.

3️⃣ If you already clicked, change your password immediately.

Example 2 — “Invoice for Your Recent Purchase”

“Your invoice for $879.23 is attached”

Why this is a scam 

• Attachment is a ZIP or Word file that prompts you to enable macros — that installs malware.

What’s really happening 

The email contains a malicious attachment that downloads a remote-access tool or credential stealer.

What to do next 

• Never open attachments you weren’t expecting.

• If you’re unsure, contact the sender using a known address — not by replying.

Example 3 — “Password Reset Request”

“Reset your Google (or Yahoo,Microsoft, etc) password now”

Why this is a scam 

• The link doesn’t go to google.com. Hover and you’ll see something like security-reset-google-auth.com.

What’s really happening 

A phishing form collects your credentials and two-factor codes.

What to do next 

• Always reset passwords only from the official site or app.

• Enable 2-factor auth through your account settings (not from an email link).

Example 4 — Fake “Support” Emails

“Your antivirus subscription expired – Renew Now”

Why this is a scam 

• Uses real company logos but links to fake payment pages.

• Aims to collect credit card numbers and personal data.

What to do next 

• Go to the real company website directly to check your subscription status.

• Report fake emails to the company’s fraud address (e.g., phishing@ companydomain).

🧠 Pro Tip

If an email creates panic or urgency, stop and read it out loud. If it sounds like a threat or a rush job — it’s a scam.

If you’re not sure an email is legit, forward it to [email protected] and we’ll check it for you — no charge.

Protect your data before you click.