--- title: "Scam email checker: is this email real? | TapSafely" url: https://tapsafely.com/scam-email-checker source: TapSafely description: "Paste a suspicious email or forward it to check@tapsafely.com. Our free scam email checker spots phishing links, fake senders and pressure tricks." --- [Home](https://tapsafely.com/)/[Free tools](https://tapsafely.com/tools)/ Scam email checker Free scam email checker # Scam email checker: is this email real or phishing? Paste the email text below, including any links. Or simply forward the email to check@tapsafely.com and get a reply with the verdict in about a minute. - **Fake senders:** names that don't match the real address - **Phishing links:** log-in pages that copy real brands - **Invoice tricks:** renewals and orders you never made - **Pressure:** suspended accounts and 24-hour deadlines Free, no sign-up, in any language. We don't store what you check. [Open the free checker on this page](https://tapsafely.com/scam-email-checker) to check a message, link or screenshot. ## Easiest way: forward it Forward the suspicious email to **check@tapsafely.com**. We read the sender details and links and reply with a risk level and advice. [How email checks work](https://tapsafely.com/check-by-email). ## Signs an email is phishing - **The sender name and address don't match.** "PayPal Service" sent from a random Gmail or a strange domain. - **It's urgent.** Your account is limited, a payment failed, or a parcel will be returned today. - **An invoice or renewal you don't recognise,** often with a phone number to "cancel". [This is a tech support scam](https://tapsafely.com/scams/tech-support-scams). - **Links go somewhere else.** Hover over a link (or long-press on a phone) to see the real address before tapping. - **Unexpected attachments**, especially .html, .zip, .iso or documents that ask you to "enable content". - **A QR code asking you to log in.** Scammers use QR codes to slip past email filters. [Check a QR code](https://tapsafely.com/qr-code-checker). ## How to see who really sent an email - **Gmail:** tap the sender name, or open the three-dot menu and choose "Show original" on a computer. - **Outlook:** hover over or tap the sender name to see the full address. - **Apple Mail:** tap the sender name at the top of the message. Look at the part after the @. A real company email usually comes from the company's own domain. Even then, don't use the links: open the app or website yourself. ## How to report a phishing email - Use your email app's **Report phishing** or **Report junk** button. - In the UK, forward it to **report@phishing.gov.uk**. - In the US, you can forward it to **reportphishing@apwg.org** (the Anti-Phishing Working Group), and report fraud to the FTC. - Forward fake brand emails to the brand's own phishing address. [Find it on our brand pages](https://tapsafely.com/scams/brands). ## Questions people ask Is it safe to forward a scam email to you? Yes. Forwarding doesn't open links or attachments. We check the email and reply to you. We don't keep the email after checking. Can an email hack me if I just open it? Opening an email in an up-to-date app is very low risk. The danger comes from clicking links, opening attachments, or replying with details. The email comes from the real company domain. Is it safe? Usually, but accounts and systems can be hacked, and some tools let scammers send through real services. If the email asks for money or details, check in the app or website instead of using the links. Why do scam emails get past my spam filter? Scammers constantly change wording, use new domains, and hide links in images, PDFs or QR codes. No filter catches everything, which is why a second check helps. I replied or clicked. What should I do? If you shared a password, change it and turn on two-step verification. If you shared bank or card details, call your bank using the number on your card. Watch out for follow-up messages. ### Already clicked or paid? Acting in the first hour matters. [What to do now](https://tapsafely.com/been-scammed) ### Still unsure? Describe what happened and our AI assistant will help, in any language. Ask TapSafely ### Check by email Forward suspicious emails to **check@tapsafely.com**. [How it works](https://tapsafely.com/check-by-email) ## Related guides [Guide ### Phishing links and fake login pages Learn the one skill that stops most scams: reading who really owns a link. With examples of look-alike addresses and fak… Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/phishing-links)[Guide ### Tech support and remote-access scams Pop-ups saying your computer is infected, or calls from "Microsoft". How tech support scams work and what to do if someo… Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/tech-support-scams)[Guide ### Fake tax refunds, government payments and fines Messages about tax refunds, benefit payments or unpaid fines are common scams. Learn how tax offices really contact you … Read guide](https://tapsafely.com/scams/fake-tax-refund-messages) ## More free tools [Free tool ### Link checker See who really owns a link, how old the site is and where it leads, before you open it. Open tool](https://tapsafely.com/link-checker)[Free tool ### Scam text checker Paste a suspicious text or WhatsApp message and get a clear risk level in seconds. Open tool](https://tapsafely.com/scam-text-checker)[Free tool ### Screenshot checker Upload a screenshot of an ad, post or chat you can't copy. Open tool](https://tapsafely.com/screenshot-scam-checker)[Free tool ### QR code checker Scan a QR code safely and see where it leads before anything opens. Open tool](https://tapsafely.com/qr-code-checker)