The internet helps us stay connected through email, chats, and social media. But it's also a target for scammers. Email scams, spam, and phishing attacks can steal your personal data or harm your device. Learning how to prevent or avoid spam and phishing emails is key to staying safe online and protecting your information.

What is Spam?

Spam refers to unwanted emails, often full of ads or fake offers. These messages clutter your inbox and can sometimes carry malware or phishing links. Most email services use spam filters to catch these emails before they reach you.

Spam Filters at Work

Email providers like Gmail check each message and move suspicious ones to the spam folder. This keeps your inbox clean and safer to use. But filters aren’t always right. Sometimes real emails end up in spam, so check that folder now and then.

How to Mark Emails as Spam

If spam slips into your inbox, you can mark it. In Gmail, just select the email and click “Mark as Spam.” This trains your email to catch similar messages in the future.

How to prevent or avoid Spam and phishing emails

Stop Spam Before It Starts

Spam messages often contain hidden image trackers. When the images load, it tells the spammer your email is active. That can lead to more spam.

How to Turn Off Images in Gmail:

  1. Click the gear icon and choose Settings.

  2. Find Images, and select Ask before displaying external images.

  3. Click Save.
How to prevent or avoid Spam and phishing emails

From now on, Gmail will block images unless you choose to load them.

Watch Out for Phishing

Phishing is a trick to steal your personal info. These emails look real—maybe from your bank or a known company—and ask you to log in or share details like passwords or credit cards.

Signs of a Phishing Email:

  • It creates urgency (e.g., “Your account will close!”).
  • It asks you to click a link or download something.
  • The sender’s address looks off, even if the name is familiar.

Scammers often create websites and email addresses that use slight variations of the real address. If you look closely at this address, you'll notice that it's actually from bankofamercan.com.


Fraudulent emails often use subject lines that look important and show concern for your safety. Who wouldn't be concerned about an alert on a bank account!


It's easy to make a copy of any logo. This one looks identical to Bank of America's official logo, but it doesn't make it any more authentic.


Just because this link says www.bankofamerica.com doesn't mean that's where it will go. We recommend not following links from this type of email. Instead, type the web address into the address bar so you'll know exactly where you're going.


Phishing scams often suggest that failure to respond immediately will result in negative consequences, like a freeze on your bank account.

If something feels strange, don’t click. Instead, go to the official website directly.

Other Email Scams to Avoid

Some scams offer rewards for sending money first. Others may pretend to be your friend or coworker. They often ask for urgent help or share attachments that carry harmful software.

Stay Safe:

  • Never send money based on just an email.
  • Don't open attachments from people you don’t know—or weren’t expecting.
  • If you're unsure, verify the request another way.

Email scams are everywhere, but you can protect yourself. Use spam filters. Don’t open unknown attachments. Watch for phishing tricks. Be careful, and trust your gut. A few smart steps can keep your inbox and your data safe.