Scam Radar
For families and tiny offices

Is this email a scam?

Go down this list before you click, pay, or reply. It takes about one minute. Tick each warning sign you see.

Please read: this checklist is a set of examples to help you think. It is not a guarantee and it is not a scam detector. It does not read or scan your email, and nothing you tick leaves this page. A message can pass every check and still be a scam. When in doubt, contact the company a way you already trust.

Warning signs

Example: a fake "account on hold" email

Made-up example for practice

From: Account Team <alerts@secure-billing-help.co>
Subject: Your account is on hold

Dear Customer, we could not process your payment. Update your card in 24 hours or your service will stop. Click here to update.

Signs here: a sender address that is not the company's, a generic greeting, a deadline, and a link to "update payment." The FTC says real companies will not email or text you a link to update your payment information. (Source: FTC: How to recognize and avoid phishing scams)

What to do if it looks like a scam

  1. Do not click links, open attachments, or call numbers in the message.
  2. Go to the company's website by typing it yourself, or use the app you already have. Or call a number from your card or bill.
  3. Report it. The FTC asks people to report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. CISA also explains how to report phishing: CISA: Recognize and report phishing.
  4. If you clicked or shared info, see what to do next.

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Sources we used

Links checked November 5, 2026. If a page moved, search the agency site for the title.