How to Tell if an Email is a Scam (5 Easy Checks)
Scam emails are getting really convincing. They look like they're from Amazon, your bank, CRA, or even someone you know. Every week, customers bring me their laptops asking "I think I clicked something I shouldn't have."
The good news? Scam emails almost always have a few giveaways. Once you know what to look for, you can spot them in seconds.
Here are the 5 things I check every time.
1. Check the Sender's Actual Email Address
This is the biggest one. Scammers disguise their emails to look like they're from a real company, but the actual email address tells the truth.
Don't just look at the name. Tap or hover on it to reveal the full email address behind it.
A real email from Amazon comes from something like shipment-tracking@amazon.ca. A scam might come from amazon-support@randomletters.com or amaz0n@something-suspicious.net.
If the domain (the part after the @) doesn't match the real company, it's fake.
2. Look for Urgency or Threats
Scammers want you to panic. They want you to click before you think.
Watch for phrases like:
"Your account will be suspended in 24 hours"
"Immediate action required"
"You must verify your information now"
"Unusual activity detected - respond immediately"
Real companies don't threaten you. If something were actually wrong with your account, they'd give you time and options - not a countdown.
3. Watch for Generic Greetings
Real companies usually know your name. They'll say "Hi Patrick" or "Dear Mr. Donnelly."
Scammers are blasting thousands of emails. They don't know who you are. So they use:
"Dear Customer"
"Dear User"
"Dear Account Holder"
"Hello Friend"
Generic greeting + urgent request = almost always a scam.
4. Hover Over Links Before Clicking
This one can save you a lot of trouble. Before you click any link in an email, hover over it (on a computer) or press and hold (on a phone) to see where it actually goes.
The link text might say "Click here to verify your Amazon account" but the actual URL might be something like http://sketchy-site.ru/amazon-fake.
If the link doesn't go to the company's real website, don't click it.
5. When in Doubt, Go Direct
This is the safest rule of all. If an email says there's a problem with your Amazon account, your bank, or anything else - don't click the link in the email.
Instead:
Open a new browser window
Type the website address yourself (amazon.ca, your bank's website, etc.)
Log in directly
Check if there's actually a problem
If the email was real, you'll see the issue when you log in. If it was fake, you just avoided a scam.
Still Not Sure? Just Ask
If you get an email and you're not 100% certain, forward it to me. I'm happy to take a look and tell you if it's real or not. No charge for a quick "is this safe?" check.
That's what we do at Computer Wall. We help people understand their technology - not just fix it.
Computer Wall - Stony Plain, AB
📍 5019 47 Ave, Stony Plain (dedicated shop on property)
📞 780-994-6203
Walk in Mon-Fri 10-5. Or just call, text, or email - whatever's easiest for you.
