Is This Email a Scam — How to Tell
Phishing emails have gotten dramatically better. The classic 'Dear Costumer' typos are still out there, but plenty of scams now pass for real corporate mail. If you're wondering how to tell if an email is scam, these six checks catch nearly every attempt.
Check 1: Look at the Real Sender Address
The display name can say anything ('Apple Support', 'Chase Bank'). Click or tap the name to reveal the actual email address. If it's something like 'apple-support@mail-secure-update.co', it's a scam. Real companies email from their own domain.
Check 2: Hover Over Links Before Clicking
On desktop, hover your mouse over any link to see where it actually goes (usually shown at the bottom of your browser). On mobile, long-press the link to preview the URL. Knowing how to tell if an email is scam often comes down to this single habit.
Check 3: Watch for Urgency or Threats
'Your account will be closed in 24 hours.' 'Suspicious activity detected — verify now.' Real companies rarely use this kind of pressure. Scammers do, because urgency disables the part of your brain that pauses.
Check 4: Check for Generic Greetings
Companies you actually do business with usually know your name. 'Dear Customer' or 'Dear User' is a yellow flag.
Check 5: Unexpected Attachments
Never open unexpected attachments — especially .zip, .exe, .doc, or .pdf files from people you don't know. They're a common malware delivery method.
Check 6: When in Doubt, Go Directly
If an email claims to be from your bank or Amazon, open a new browser tab and go to the site directly. If something needs your attention, it'll be there. This single rule is the most reliable way to know how to tell if an email is scam — and it costs nothing.
Check Your Exposure in 10 Seconds
You don't need to guess whether your information is floating around in a breach dump. ThreatRidge cross-references billions of leaked records and gives you a plain-English Cyber Health Score in about ten seconds. No signup. No credit card. We don't store or sell the email you enter.
If your score comes back low, you'll see exactly where the exposure is and what to do next. If it comes back clean, you'll know you're ahead of most people online — and what to do to stay there.
The best time to check your exposure was yesterday. The second best time is right now. Check your free Cyber Health Score at ThreatRidge.com.
Related reading: I Got a Scam Text — What Should I Do · What To Do Immediately After a Data Breach
🔒 Is Your Data Already Exposed?
Check your free Cyber Health Score in 10 seconds. No signup. We never store or sell your email.
Check Your Free Score →