Email scams (phishing)
Fake invoices, renewal charges, and account alerts landing in your inbox — and how to tell a real message from a phishing one.
How these scams work
A phishing email impersonates a brand — PayPal, Norton, Apple, your bank — with a subject built to alarm you: a charge, a suspended account, an invoice you don't recognize. The goal is to get you to click a link or call a number in a panic. The tells are in the details: the real sender address (not the display name), a deadline or threat, and a link that doesn't go where it claims.
What to check first
- Check the full sender address, not the display name — look-alikes swap letters (paypa1, app1e).
- Hover or long-press a link to see where it really goes before you ever tap it.
- Never use the link or phone number in the email — open the app or type the company's real address yourself.
The email scams we've checked
SCAMEmail
PayPal email scam: is that invoice or alert real?
Got a PayPal email about a payment, invoice, or account limit you don't recognize? Here's the verdict and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Amazon email scam: is that order or account alert real?
Got an Amazon email about an order, a locked account, or a charge you don't recognize? Here's the verdict and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Apple ID email scam: is that "locked account" alert real?
Got an email saying your Apple ID was locked, suspended, or accessed from a new device? Here's the verdict and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Geek Squad email scam: is that renewal real?
Got a Geek Squad email about a subscription renewal or auto-charge you don't remember? Here's the verdict and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Norton email scam: is that renewal charge fake?
A “Norton” email about an auto-renewal or a $400 charge you never approved? Here's why it's a scam — and what to do before you call that number.
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SCAMEmail
McAfee email scam: is that renewal charge real?
Got a McAfee email about an auto-renewal charge or expired subscription you don't recognize? Here's the verdict and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Microsoft email scam: is that account alert real?
Got a Microsoft email about a sign-in, account suspension, or expiring password you don't recognize? Here's the verdict and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Netflix payment scam: is that "payment failed" email real?
Got a Netflix email saying your payment failed or your account is on hold? Here's the verdict on the Netflix payment scam and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
DocuSign email scam: is that document real?
Got a DocuSign email asking you to review or sign a document you weren't expecting? Here's the verdict and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
USPS email scam: is that delivery notice real?
Got a USPS email about a package on hold, a failed delivery, or a redelivery fee? Here's the verdict and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
IRS refund email scam: is that refund notice real?
Got an email about an IRS tax refund you need to claim or verify? Here's the verdict on the IRS refund email scam and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Fake check scam: why you'll owe the money back
Someone sent you a check and asked you to deposit it and send part back? The check is fake and you'll owe every cent. Here's the verdict and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Phishing email examples: 7 real fakes, annotated
Seven real-world phishing emails — PayPal, Amazon, Microsoft, Netflix, DocuSign, IRS, and Geek Squad — each annotated so you can see exactly what gives it away.
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SCAMEmail
Coinbase email scam: is that alert or invoice real?
Got a Coinbase email about a blocked withdrawal, a locked account, or a purchase you never made? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Wells Fargo email scam: is that alert real?
Got a Wells Fargo email about suspicious activity, a locked account, or an unrecognized purchase? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Venmo email scam: is that payment email real?
Got a Venmo email about a pending payment, a frozen account, or money waiting for you? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Chase email scam: is that fraud alert real?
Got a Chase email about unusual activity, a locked account, or a purchase you don't recognize? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Zelle email scam: is that payment email real?
Got a Zelle email about a pending payment, an incomplete transfer, or money waiting to be claimed? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Cash App email scam: is that payment email real?
Got a Cash App email about a pending payment, a random deposit, or a sweepstakes you won? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Rental scam: how to spot a fake listing before you pay
Found a great rental, but the “landlord” can't show it and wants a deposit by wire or Zelle first? Here's the verdict and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Craigslist scams: fake escrow, shipping, and wire tricks
Selling or buying on Craigslist and a distant buyer wants to use an escrow service, a shipping agent, or a cashier's check? Here's the verdict and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Puppy scam: that online puppy probably doesn't exist
Paid for a puppy online and now there's a shipping, crate, or insurance fee before it can be delivered? Here's the verdict and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Overpayment scam: refunding the difference is the trap
A buyer paid you too much — by check or payment app — and wants the difference sent back? Here's the verdict and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Inheritance scam: that unclaimed estate email is fake
An email says a relative you've never heard of left you millions, and you just need to pay a processing fee? Here's the verdict and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Sextortion scam: don't pay — here's what to do
An email claims they recorded you and shows an old password, or someone you met online is threatening to share your photos? Here's the verdict and exactly what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Home title theft: spot the deed scam before it moves
Worried someone is using your name to sell a property or change its deed? Here's what home title theft is, what a title-lock ad gets wrong, and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Car wrap scam: is the paid-ad offer real?
A text, email, or ad promises easy money to wrap your car, then sends a check and asks you to pay an installer? Here's the scam pattern and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Ticket scams: spot the fake seller before you pay
A ticket seller wants payment now, sends a copycat link, or offers only a screenshot? Here's how to check the event, delivery method, and buyer protection first.
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SCAMEmail
eBay scams: spot the fake buyer or seller
A buyer or seller sends a fake eBay notice, pushes you off-platform, or asks for a wire or gift card? Here's the verdict and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Airbnb scams: spot the fake host or payment link
A host moves you off Airbnb, sends a payment link, or pressures you to share a code? Here's the verdict and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
GoFundMe scam: is that fundraiser or message real?
A GoFundMe fundraiser, email, or DM asks for a fee, your banking details, or a donation outside gofundme.com? Here's how to check it.
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SCAMEmail
Synchrony Bank scam: is that message or call real?
A message or call claims to be Synchrony Bank and asks for account details, a login, or urgent payment? Here's how to check the impersonation safely.
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SCAMEmail
Work-from-home scam: is that job offer real?
A remote job promises big money with little work, asks for a fee, or sends a check to deposit? Here are the tells and recovery steps.
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SCAMEmail
Investment scams: guaranteed returns are the tell
A stranger promises big returns with little risk, shows fake profits, or asks you to pay to unlock an investment? Here's the verdict and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Mystery shopper scam: the check is the trap
A secret-shopper job sends you a check, asks for an upfront fee, or tells you to wire money back? Here's the verdict and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Steam scams: fake reports, codes, and trades
A Steam message says you were falsely reported, asks for a code, or pressures you into a trade or gift card? Here's the verdict and what to do.
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SCAMEmail
Online shopping scam: spot the fake store
A bargain site takes your payment, never sends the item, or insists on a gift card or crypto? Here's the verdict and what to do.
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