Email Scam — Recognize Phishing Before It Strikes
Email scams are evolving. From fake invoices to CEO fraud, learn how to spot the warning signs and protect your personal and professional accounts.
Most dangerous email scams
Fake delivery notifications
An email or SMS says you have a package waiting. The link leads to a fake site that steals your credit card details under the guise of paying a small delivery fee.
CEO fraud (BEC)
An email appearing to come from your CEO or manager urgently requests a wire transfer or gift card purchase. Always verify unusual payment requests via a second channel.
Fake invoice ransomware
You receive an invoice for a service you never ordered. The PDF or Excel attachment contains ransomware that encrypts your files and demands payment.
Account suspension threats
An email claiming your Netflix, PayPal, or bank account will be suspended unless you verify your details immediately. The link goes to a perfect copy of the real login page.
Red flags in suspicious emails
How to protect your inbox
Enable two-factor authentication
2FA prevents attackers from accessing your accounts even if they steal your password. Use an authenticator app, not SMS if possible.
Use unique passwords
A password manager ensures every account has a unique, strong password. If one service is breached, your other accounts remain safe.
Verify before clicking
Hover over links to see the real URL. When in doubt, log in through the official website or app instead of clicking email links.
Check breach status
Regularly check if your email has appeared in data breaches. If so, change that password immediately everywhere you reused it.
Email scams — Frequently asked questions
The most common are phishing (fake login pages), fake invoices with malware attachments, prize scams, impersonation of colleagues or bosses (CEO fraud), and fake delivery notifications.
See also: reverse phone lookup
Got a suspicious phone call too? Clairmo specialises in reverse phone lookup.
Check a phone number