14/04/2026
Scam Emails in 2026 - What You Need to Know
If you've noticed more suspicious emails landing in your inbox lately, you're not imagining it. I'm hearing from clients almost every day about convincing-looking emails that turn out to be scams, and the truth is they've become a lot harder to spot than they used to be.
Here's what's changed - and what to watch out for.
The old warning signs no longer apply. A few years ago I used to tell people to look out for poor spelling and grammar. Forget that. Scammers now use AI to write fluent, professional-sounding emails that look indistinguishable from the real thing. They can even personalise them with your name, your bank's branding, or details that make them seem legitimate.
QR codes are the new dodgy link. You've probably seen more QR codes in emails recently - "scan this to verify your account" or "scan to view your document." Be very wary of these. They're designed to bypass the habit people have developed of hovering over links to check them. If an email asks you to scan a QR code, treat it with the same suspicion you'd give a link you didn't ask for.
Urgency is still the biggest red flag. Whether it's your bank, HMRC, a parcel delivery company, or even Amazon - if an email is pressuring you to act immediately or threatening consequences if you don't, slow down. Legitimate organisations give you time. Scammers don't, because they don't want you to think it through.
Delivery scams are everywhere right now. With so much online shopping, fake "missed delivery" or "customs fee" emails are one of the most common things I'm seeing. If you're not expecting a parcel, or the email asks for a small payment to release one, go directly to the courier's official website rather than clicking anything in the email.
When in doubt, go directly to the source. Don't click links in emails - open your browser and go to the company's website yourself, or ring them using a number you find independently, not one provided in the email. It takes an extra minute and it could save you a great deal of trouble.
What to do if you think you've already been caught out. First - don't panic, and don't try to fix it by downloading anything, as that often makes things worse. If you've clicked a link or entered any details, change your passwords immediately from a different device if you can. Contact your bank straight away if any financial information was involved, as they can act quickly to protect your account. Run a scan with your existing security software, and if you're not sure what you're looking at or whether your computer has been affected, get some help sooner rather than later - the longer you leave it, the more complicated it can become.
If you're worried about your PC or just want peace of mind, I offer home visits and can check everything over for you properly. You can book online at restart.uk.com/book - it's straightforward, and I'll make sure you come away knowing your machine is safe and that you're confident about what to look out for going forward.
