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Spotting scams often comes down to two key techniques: checking who the email is really from and where any links actually lead. For screen reader users, knowing how to do this safely can make a big difference in avoiding scams.

How to check the sender’s actual email address

Often, scam emails will use a familiar display name, like "MyGov" or "Australia Post," to make the message look official at first glance (or first listen). But the display name can easily be faked. It’s the full email address behind it that matters. Always take a moment to reveal and check the address, not just the name your screen reader announces at the top of the email.

With your screen reader, arrow or tab to the “From” field in the email header. On some emails, the sender’s full email address might not be read out by default and there will be a different method to locate that email.  

Once you have found the full email address, listen out for unusual domains (like @mygov-secure.com instead of @my.gov.au), or unfamiliar addresses entirely and make sure you check the spelling.

Tip

If you hear a mismatch between the sender’s name and the email address (e.g., "ATO Support" but the email is "ato1234@gmail.com"), it’s a scam.

How to check the real target of a link

Scam emails often hide dangerous links behind trustworthy-sounding text like “View your statement” or “Login here.” With a screen reader, you can find out where a link really goes before clicking.

An easy way to check the real target of a link is to locate the link with your screen reader and copy the link into a text editor like notepad on a Windows PC or TextEdit on a Mac. This will paste in the link in full which you can then review character by character.

Listen carefully. If the link doesn’t match the organisation’s real website (for example, “ato.gov.au” versus “ato-secure-online.com”), that’s a major red flag.

Warning signs to listen for

Misspelled domains

Scammers often swap or add letters to trusted websites. For example, ‘netfliix.com’ has an extra letter in it instead of ‘netflix.com’. To a screen reader, these will sound the same.

Link shorteners

Addresses like “bit.ly” or “tinyurl” can hide where a link is really going.

Safe practices for suspicious emails

  • Copy, don’t click. Always copy links into Notepad or a plain text editor to check them safely.
  • Manually navigate to official sites. If you’re unsure, close the email, open your browser and type the organisation’s website address yourself.
  • Don’t trust urgency. Scammers want you to rush. Taking a few extra minutes to run a check on the link can save you getting scammed.

Staying safe doesn’t mean you have to spot every scam instantly. It’s about building smart habits like checking sender addresses and inspecting links that help you stay one step ahead.

With a bit of extra caution and some screen reader know-how, you can stay safer online and avoid falling for email scams.