British email users are currently inundated with a continuous stream of fraudulent emails. Recent data from Action Fraud reveals that a staggering 43 million suspicious emails were reported between January and May 2025, emphasizing the importance of vigilance while checking email inboxes.
A key recommendation has emerged to combat scammers effectively. Rather than disregarding suspicious emails, the optimal approach is to report them. By reporting spam emails promptly, individuals can help prevent cybercriminals from targeting others in the future.
Action Fraud highlighted that as of May 2025, over 42 million suspicious emails had been reported to the Suspicious Email Reporting Service, leading to the removal of 400,000 scam websites by the National Cyber Security Centre.
It is straightforward to report suspicious emails to the service by simply forwarding them to report@phishing.gov.uk. The National Cyber Security Center explained that the primary aim of scam emails is usually to deceive recipients into clicking on malicious links that could compromise their devices or steal personal information.
With the prevalence of malicious emails, it is crucial to exercise caution and avoid clicking on any suspicious links. Companies like Netflix and Spotify are frequently targeted, with emails often falsely claiming that subscription payments have been terminated.
Amazon recently issued a cautionary alert to customers regarding a scam suggesting an increase in Prime membership fees, urging users to click on a cancellation link. The company advised customers to verify their Prime membership status directly through the Amazon mobile app or website to avoid falling victim to such scams.