What might it look like?
FICTIONAL EXAMPLE FOR LEARNING
Your account will be suspended in 30 minutes. Verify your details at account-check.example to keep access.
Example addresses are non-working and are not links.
Warning signs to notice
- An unexpected deadline pressures you to act before checking.
- A link leads you to sign in or provide personal information.
- The address does not match the organisation’s official website.
A single sign does not prove a scam, and the absence of these signs does not prove safety.
Why it can be convincing
Familiar branding and an urgent problem can make a request feel routine. Sender names and logos can be copied, and a scam can use polished language.
What should I do?
- Pause. Do not use the message’s links, attachments or phone number.
- Open the organisation’s official app or type a known website address yourself.
- Contact the organisation using details you independently find.
- Never share passwords or one-time codes with someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
Keep learning
Read the source guidance at Scamwatch (external website)Sources checked 8 October 2026. Scam tactics change; check the linked service for current information.