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As a computer repair technician, I deal with several email scam cases every month. Most of them could have been avoided with a few simple habits. Here are the warning signs to recognise, some concrete examples and what to do if you're in any doubt.
The 6 warning signs to look out for
1. Fake urgency. "Your account will be suspended within 24 hours", "Immediate action required", "Last chance". Genuine services (your bank, the tax office, Amazon) never apply this kind of pressure. The goal: to make you click before you think.
2. An odd sender address. Instead of service@amazon.co.uk, you see service@amaz0n-security.com or support@amazon.co.uk.com. Click on the sender's name in your inbox to see the full address — often, that's exactly where it falls apart.
3. Spelling or grammar mistakes. Real companies have their emails proofread. An email riddled with mistakes ("please confirme your account", "your payement was declined") = a scam in 99% of cases.
4. The embedded form or the suspicious link. Hover over (without clicking) the links in the email. The real URL appears at the bottom of your browser or your email client. If it doesn't look like the official company, whatever you do, don't click.
5. A request for sensitive information. No bank, no public service, no reputable company will ever ask you by email for your password, your full bank card number or an urgent bank transfer. Never.
6. Unusual formality. If your bank normally addresses you as "Mrs Smith" and an email begins with "Dear customer", be suspicious.
3 real examples received by my clients
Example 1 — Fake Microsoft email
Subject: "Your PC is infected — Action required"
Sender: microsoft-security@notification-pc.com
Content: "Our system has detected 3 active viruses on your computer. Call 0892 35 XX XX immediately (€1.80/min) to fix the problem."
Verdict: scam. Microsoft never emails you. If you call, they ask for remote access and then €200-500 to "repair" a fake problem. A case I deal with several times a month in Le Cannet.
Example 2 — Fake bank email
Subject: "Temporary suspension of your account"
Sender: noreply@credit-agricole.assistance.fr
Content: "For security reasons, we have suspended your account. Click here to confirm your login details and lift the suspension."
Verdict: scam (phishing). If you click, you land on a site that looks exactly like your bank, but which steals your login details in real time. The fraudsters empty the account straight afterwards.
Example 3 — Fake delivery email
Subject: "Your Chronopost parcel is on hold — customs fee to pay"
Sender: delivery@chronopost-tracking.eu
Content: "Your parcel cannot be delivered without payment of a €1.80 customs fee. Click here to pay."
Verdict: scam. The ridiculous amount (€1.80) is there to get you to enter your bank card without suspicion. Once entered, your details are stolen and used for purchases of €1,000+. Very common over the festive season.
What to do if you receive a suspicious email
Golden rule: when in doubt, don't click anything. Don't panic. Run these checks:
- Go to the official site directly by typing the address into your browser (not via the link in the email). Log in to your account. If the situation is real, you'll see the information there.
- Call the company on the number shown on their official site (not the one in the email). Ask them to confirm.
- Check the exact sender by clicking on the name in your inbox. The full address is displayed.
- Report the email to signal-spam.fr or cybermalveillance.gouv.fr.
- Delete the email once you've confirmed it's a scam.
You've clicked: what do you do now?
If you have entered your login details or your bank card on a suspicious site, act immediately. Every minute counts.
Case 1 — You entered a password.
- Go to the real site immediately and change your password
- Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) if it's available
- If you were using this password elsewhere (a bad but common habit), change it everywhere
Case 2 — You entered a bank card.
- Call your bank immediately (emergency number on the back of the card)
- Cancel the card
- Keep an eye on transactions over the coming days
- File a report at the police station or online at pre-plainte-en-ligne.gouv.fr
Case 3 — You only clicked on a link. The risk is lower, but check the following:
- No download has started
- No "your PC is infected" pop-up has opened
- Run a full scan with Windows Defender or Malwarebytes (free)
How to protect yourself for the long term
- Use a password manager (Bitwarden is free, 1Password) — a unique password for each site, so you no longer have to remember them.
- Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) on your critical accounts: bank, main email, Amazon, government accounts.
- Never reuse the same password across several sites.
- Be wary of public Wi-Fi (train stations, cafés). Never do any banking on it.
- Update your system and your browser regularly.
- Educate the older members of your family — they're the number one target for email scams. Print this article out for them if necessary.
Have you been the victim of a computer scam? I can clean up your PC, secure your compromised accounts, and show you how to turn on 2FA everywhere. Call-out in 1-2 hours in Le Cannet, Cannes and Mougins, from €50. See the virus removal service.