Scam emails 101: How to tell if an email is a scam or spam

Let’s talk about everyone’s favorite online nuisances. Spam and scam emails. Yep, those pesky messages that clog up our inboxes faster than a coffee line during rush hour.

But fear not, because we’re about to arm you with the knowledge on how to spot a scam or spam email from a mile off. And also, what happens if you open a spam email! Ready to find out how to tell if an email is a scam or spam?

Firstly, what’s the difference between scam and spam emails?

They’re both annoying. They both clutter our inboxes. But there is a slight difference between the two.

A scam email is like the digital version of a sneaky con artist. These emails are all about trickery, pretending to be from legit sources like banks or companies or even people familiar to you. But really, they’re just after your personal info, cash or access to sensitive accounts. They’ll sweet-talk you with fake offers or scare you with urgent demands for money, all in the hopes of pulling a fast one on you. A scam email’s main goal is to exploit victims for financial gain or access to confidential info.

A spam email is like the uninvited guest crashing the party in your inbox. They could be a harmless loser, or they could be a little dangerous! They’re like those annoying flyers you get shoved into your letterbox, but in digital form. Spam is the same as junk email, and usually consists of sketchy product promos to downright bizarre offers that you’re not interested in. They’re sent out in bulk to a large number of people without their consent. Some spam emails may be from legit companies, but most are just trying to sell you stuff you’ve never shown an interest in. Or at worst, lure you into clicking on something you shouldn’t for fraudulent purposes.

And what happens if you open a spam or scam email?

If you open a spam or scam email, a few things may happen depending on the content of the email and your actions. At the very least, you’re stuck dealing with more annoying messages cluttering up your inbox. But if you’re not careful and click on any funky links or attachments, things can get messy. You might end up with malware being installed on your device or being subject to targeted phishing scams that aim to steal your personal info or cash. Long story short, just ignore and delete!

So how do I spot a scam or spam email?

Unfortunately, scam and spam emails have come a long way over the years. A bit like plant-based meat alternatives. (Anyone remember the days of cardboard not-chicken?) So the question of how to tell if an email is a scam or spam is getting more difficult to answer.

The #1 thing to remember is to trust your gut and use your common sense. If you are not expecting an email or if something seems off, it’s probably a sign that something’s not right. This is the best way for how to spot a scam or spam email! 

10 ways how you can tell if an email is a scam or spam

1. Sketchy sender addresses

Legitimate emails usually come from addresses that make sense, like “@company.com.” But if you spot something wonky like “bigbucks@totallynotascam.com” or (more likely) “email-support@r9843hefejdfb.com” then it’s time to hit that delete button. This is the first thing to do in how to tell if an email is a scam!

2. Panic-inducing urgency

Ever received an email screaming for immediate action or else the world will end? It’s usually something like, “Payment due to redeliver your parcel otherwise it will be destroyed in 3 days”. But legit companies don’t usually hit you with ultimatums like that via email. So be sure to think twice before handing over your personal info or making any payments.

3. Grammar gone wrong

We’re not saying you need to be a grammar nerd, but if an email reads like it was written by a malfunctioning robot, chances are it’s not from your legit, friendly, neighbourhood company. Typos, misspellings, weird phrases, and dodgy formatting are all signs that something fishy is going on.

4. Strange attachments and links

Be wary of emails with unexpected attachments or links from strangers. Hover over those links (without clicking!) to check if they lead where they claim to. For example, a link may look like it says “google.co.uk” but its hyperlink might be “gooogle.com”. If you’re using a mobile device, you can do usually do this by long-pressing on the link and selecting ‘copy link address’ and pasting it into a note to check it. And if an attachment seems suspicious, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Delete, delete, delete!

5. Generic greetings 

“Dear Valued Customer.” Yeah, right. Legit emails usually know your name, because you’ve probably already given it to them! If you’re getting hit with generic greetings, it’s likely the sender is casting a wide net to many victims, hoping someone takes the bait. Don’t be that someone.

6. Too-good-to-be-true 0ffers

Free money, exotic vacations, and all your dreams coming true? “YOU’VE WON”? “YOU HAVE BEEN CHOSEN”? We’re sorry to say but you’re probably not that lucky, my friend. No one is! Because this type of empty promise is the hallmark of a scam email. Remember, folks, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

7. Fishy money requests

No, your long-lost prince relative from another country didn’t email you asking for cash, promising to reimburse you with 1000% interest. Scammers love to spin sob stories or impersonate someone you know to tug at your heartstrings (and your wallet). Don’t fall for it. Keep your cash close and your skepticism closer!

8. Missing contact info

Legit companies want you to reach out to them. So, if an email lacks any legit contact info or looks like it was signed by a robot, it’s probably not from a trustworthy source. Hit up Google and find the real contact details instead. It’s a great thing to check when wondering how to tell if an email is a scam!

9. Check a website is secure

If you have clicked on an email link, make sure you do a double take on the website you land on. Before you spill your guts to an online form, make sure the website is trustworthy. Look for the “HTTPS” encryption at the start of the link and the little padlock icon in your browser’s address bar.

10. Trust your gut!

Just for safe measure, we’re mentioning this one again! Please, trust your instincts. If something smells fishy (and we’re not talking about last week’s sushi), it probably is. Report suspicious emails, warn your pals, and don’t be afraid to hit that delete button.

Above all, stay sharp when looking for scam emails and spam emails

So, there you have it, folks! Now you know how to spot a scam or spam email, and what happens if you open a scam email. With these tips in your back pocket, you’ll be dodging scam emails like a pro. Stay sharp, stay safe, and may your inbox be forever free of fishy business. Happy emailing!

Got a question? We can answer it. Click here to get in touch.

Looking to improve your business’ cyber security?

Here are some of our most trusted tools and suppliers that we use to protect and safeguard our clients against online threats.

Cybersmart Comprehensive cyber security solution with monitoring, training, insurance, and continuous compliance.

Heimdal Security Advanced threat protection for endpoints, networks, cloud, emails, and identities.

Hornetsecurity Specialized Microsoft 365 security for email protection and compliance.

Vade AI-powered email security against phishing, malware, and ransomware.

KnowBe4 Human risk management with security awareness training, anti-phishing, and real-time coaching.

Keeper AI-enabled platform for password management, secure connections, and data breach prevention.

Webroot Device and network protection against malware, phishing, ransomware, and more, with cloud-based intelligence.