All lessons › Level 3: Emails & look-alikes

Check who really sent it

The name at the top of an email can be anything. Anyone can call themselves "Amazon" or "Your Bank".
Look at the email address after the @ sign. Real Amazon mail ends in amazon.in, amazon.de or amazon.com.
Look-alike addresses use small tricks: amaz0n (zero instead of o), paypa1 (one instead of l), or paypal.com.account-check.net, where the real owner is the last part: account-check.net.
On a phone, the email app often shows only the name, not the address. Tap the sender's name to see the full address before you trust the email.

RememberRead the address after @, not the name.

Example from the test

Your order could not be delivered

Dear Customer,
We could not deliver your package. Confirm your address within 24 hours or it will be returned.
Confirm address
Amazon Customer Service

Answer: Scam. The address is amaz0n-orders.com, with a zero instead of the letter o. Real Amazon mail comes from amazon.in, amazon.de or amazon.com. The 24-hour threat is another sign.

PayPal <[email protected]>

Your account has been limited

Dear user,
We noticed unusual activity. Your account is limited until you verify your identity.
Verify now
PayPal Security Team

Answer: Scam. The real owner of the address is the last part: account-check.net. "paypal.com" at the start is only a disguise.