How can I recognize a fraudulent email?


Email fraud is a serious threat that all email users face daily. The digital threat landscape is constantly evolving, and modern attacks are more sophisticated and targeted than ever, carrying serious consequences for victims.

How can I recognize a fraudulent email?

While advanced attacks can be very difficult to detect, there are various ways of recognizing email fraud that users should be aware of. Tips for recognizing and protecting against email fraud include:

  • Check for spelling and grammatical errors which can indicate that an email is fraudulent or malicious. Also, keep an eye out for suspicious subject lines and signatures.
  • Verify shared links to ensure that they do not lead to fraudulent websites or malicious code.
  • Scan all attachments for email viruses or malware.
  • If an email looks suspicious in any way, make a phone call to the sender to confirm the legitimacy of the email.
  • Use strong passwords to protect your accounts. Utilize two-factor authentication (2FA) or multi-factor authentication (MFA) whenever possible.
  • Subscribe to Guardian Digital’s Behind the Shield newsletter - if you haven’t already - to stay informed on the latest email-borne threats and trends and receive tips on how to secure your email.
  • Take time to stop and think things through! Thoroughly evaluate each email you receive before clicking on links or downloading attachments.
  • Make sure that you have a comprehensive, well-regarded business email security solution in place. Implementing an effective, multi-layered solution is the single best way to safeguard your email from advanced modern attacks.

Other FAQs