Spotting A Scam Email

Spotting A Scam Email

How to Spot a Scam Email: A Simple Guide as a unexperienced tech user!

Email can be a wonderful way to stay in touch with family, manage bills, and receive updates from services you trust. But unfortunately, scam emails—also called phishing emails—are becoming more common, even here in Morpeth, Alnwick and across the North East.

The good news? Once you know the signs, they’re much easier to spot.

Here’s a helpful guide to keep yourself safe online.

1. Check Who the Email Is From

Scammers often pretend to be someone you trust: the NHS, your bank, Royal Mail, or a well-known company. But the email address is usually a giveaway.

Look out for:

• Strange or slightly wrong spellings (e.g., royalmai1.com instead of royalmail.com)
• Long, odd-looking addresses full of numbers
• Email addresses that don’t match the company name at all

If it doesn’t look right, delete it.

2. Beware of Urgent or Threatening Language

Scammers love to panic people into clicking quickly. If an email says something like:

• “Your account will be closed in 24 hours!”
• “You owe a fee—pay now!”
• “Click this link immediately!”

…it’s probably a scam. Genuine companies don’t threaten you or rush you like that.

3. Look for Spelling and Grammar Mistakes

Scam emails often contain:

• Poor spelling
• Weird phrases
• Unprofessional formatting

Large organisations like banks, government departments, and councils proofread their emails carefully—scammers don’t.

4. Never Click Links or Attachments if You’re Unsure

Links may take you to fake websites designed to steal your details. Attachments may contain viruses.

Useful tip: Hover your mouse over a link without clicking. You’ll see the real website address at the bottom of your screen. If it looks suspicious or unfamiliar, don’t click.

5. They Ask for Personal Information

No real company will ever ask you for:

• Your passwords
• Your PIN
• Bank account details via email
• National Insurance number

If an email asks for private information, delete it.

6. Too Good to Be True? It Probably Is.

Scam emails sometimes offer:

• Prizes
• Inheritances
• Refunds
• Gifts or vouchers

If you didn’t enter a prize draw, you haven’t won one!

7. Look Out for Fake Delivery Texts and Emails

Many people in Morpeth have recently reported emails pretending to be from:

• Royal Mail
• DPD
• Amazon

These often say you need to pay a small fee to release a parcel. Royal Mail and other couriers do NOT ask for payment by email for unexpected parcels.

8. Trust Your Instincts

If something feels off—even slightly—it’s better to be cautious. You can always check with someone you trust.

Who You Can Ask for Help

If you’re unsure about an email, you can ask:

• A family member or neighbour
• Your local library may run digital help sessions
• Northumbria Police’s fraud advice team (101)
• Action Fraud (0300 123 2040)
• Canny Clever – 0330 321 4777

There’s no shame in asking—scammers target everyone.

Final Thoughts

Spotting scam emails gets easier with practice. Stay cautious, follow the steps above, and remember: you can always delete an email if you’re unsure. If it’s important, the company will contact you again.