Guides › Email & Inbox
Check if a suspicious email is a scam
Get a plain-English verdict on a worrying email, with the warning signs spelled out and what to do next.
When to use it
Whenever an email asks you to click, pay or log in
Step by step
Don't click anything
Leave links and attachments alone. Copy the sender's full address (not just the display name), the subject and the text.
Ask AI for a second opinion
Paste the details with this prompt. Never paste passwords or codes.
Prompt to copyHelp me check whether this email is likely to be a phishing scam. Sender address: [full address]. Subject: [subject]. Text: [paste text]. Link text shown (don't visit it): [paste if any]. Give me: 1) A verdict: likely scam, unclear, or likely genuine. 2) Each warning sign you can see, explained in plain English. 3) What I should do now. 4) How to check with the real organisation safely, without using any contact details in the email.Act on it safely
If it looks like a scam, report it using the 'Report phishing' or 'Report' option in Gmail or Outlook, then delete it. If unsure, contact the organisation using a number or website you already know.
What you get
Verdict: likely scam. Signs: sender is 'support@royalmaii-parcels.com' (misspelt), urgent 'pay £1.99 within 24 hours', generic greeting, link text doesn't match the company. Next: report as phishing, delete, and check any real parcel on the courier's own app.
Tips
- AI can't see where a link really goes, so treat 'likely genuine' as a hint, not a guarantee.
- At work, forward suspicious emails to your IT team as well.