5 Easy Ways to Spot a Suspicious Email

Cyber threats are a growing concern for businesses and individuals alike — and one of the most common entry points for cyber criminals is still the humble email inbox. Every day, people across Ipswich, Suffolk, and beyond are targeted by increasingly sophisticated phishing scams that aim to steal sensitive data, install malware, or gain unauthorised access to systems.

At Corbel, we regularly support businesses in Ipswich and across the Suffolk region with proactive Cyber Security advice and IT support. One of the most important steps in defending against email-based threats is simply knowing what to look out for. Fortunately, suspicious emails often follow familiar patterns — and with a little awareness, they’re much easier to spot.

Here are 5 easy ways to recognise a suspicious email and help keep your organisation secure:

1. Check the sender’s email address carefully

It might look like it’s from a familiar name or trusted organisation, but the sender’s actual email address can tell a different story. Look closely — scammers often use email addresses that are subtly different from genuine ones, swapping letters or adding extra characters. If something feels off, it probably is.

2. Look out for poor spelling and grammar

Phishing emails often originate from outside the UK and are rarely proofread. Spelling mistakes, awkward phrasing, or inconsistent formatting are common signs of a scam. Legitimate companies, especially local businesses and service providers in Suffolk, will usually communicate clearly and professionally.

3. Be cautious with urgent or threatening language

Scam emails often try to create panic. Common tactics include messages claiming your account has been locked, or that you’ll face fines unless you act immediately. These are designed to make you react without thinking. Always take a moment to verify before clicking.

4. Watch for unexpected attachments or links

Be particularly wary of attachments you weren’t expecting — especially those ending in unusual file types like .exe, .zip, or .scr. Likewise, if there’s a link in the message, hover over it first to see where it really goes. If it looks suspicious or doesn’t match the supposed sender’s website, steer clear.

5. Requests for sensitive information are a red flag

Reputable businesses — including banks, government bodies, and IT providers like Corbel — will never ask you to send passwords, financial details or other personal data over email. If you’re unsure, always confirm the request through a trusted channel.

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Helping Suffolk Businesses Stay Safe

Recognising and avoiding suspicious emails is a vital first line of defence — but it’s just one part of building a truly cyber-aware workforce.

At Corbel, we believe that Cyber Security Training is more than just a policy; it’s a powerful way to empower employees and strengthen your overall business resilience. Through targeted training, staff in your Suffolk business become active participants in your cyber defence strategy. They learn how to spot threats early, understand the risks of data breaches, and take informed steps to protect sensitive information — whether it belongs to the company or your customers.

For many small and medium-sized businesses across Ipswich and Suffolk, investing in training is also a cost-effective way to boost protection without major infrastructure costs. By reducing your vulnerability to phishing attacks and other threats, it can save thousands in potential disruption, data loss, and reputational damage.

We offer tailored Cyber Security awareness training, email security solutions, and expert support designed to meet the needs of businesses across the region.

Get in touch with Corbel today to find out how we can help you create a more secure, confident, and cyber-aware workplace — right here in Suffolk.

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Corbel Solutions are a Business IT Support provider based in Ipswich who work proactively throughout Felixstowe, Sudbury, Woodbridge, Stowmarket and the surrounding Suffolk area to deliver a range of services including IT Support, Cyber Security, IT Consultancy Services and Cyber Security Training. Additionally, Corbel have recently implemented a NEW service CoPilot for Microsoft 365 in order to help businesses embrace the power of Artificial Intelligence to streamline work and boost productivity. For more information or to have a chat with one of our team members, feel free to give us a call on 01473 241515 or email us on info@corbel.co.uk. Alternatively, you can book in an online appointment with one of our team members here.