15 Types of Spam You'll Find in Your Inbox

Ugh, spam emails. They’re like the cockroaches of the digital world – no matter how hard we try to get rid of them, they keep coming back, more clever and sneaky than ever. I don’t know about you, but my inbox feels like it’s under constant siege these days.

Sure, some spam is laughably obvious (No, I don’t believe I’ve won the Nigerian lottery, thanks), but others? They’re downright devious. They slip past our defenses wearing clever disguises, from fake Amazon order confirmations to urgent “security alerts” from our banks. And don’t even get me started on those COVID-19 “updates” that are really just phishing attempts in disguise. It’s enough to make you want to throw your computer out the window!

But fear not, in this post, I’ll break down the most common types of spam lurking in the depths of your inbox. Think of it as your field guide to the wildlife of the email ecosystem – once you know what to look for, you’ll be much better equipped to spot these digital predators before they can sink their teeth into your personal info.

1. “Email delivery fail” spam

This type of spam masquerades as a notification from your email provider, claiming that a message you sent couldn’t be delivered. In legitimate cases, if you email a non-existent address, your server will bounce the message back with a “delivery failed” notice.

Spammers exploit this by sending fake delivery failure emails. These emails often include a malicious attachment, which they claim is the original message that couldn’t be delivered. If you open the attachment, your device could be infected with a virus.

To stay safe, avoid opening any delivery failure notifications unless you’re certain you attempted to send the email in the first place.

2. Phishing emails disguised as COVID-19 updates

During the pandemic, a surge of phishing emails emerged, exploiting people’s concerns about COVID-19. These emails often claimed to offer important health information, vaccine updates, or even government relief programs. The subject lines were crafted to appear urgent, making it easy to mistake them for legitimate updates.

However, clicking on the links in these emails typically led to phishing sites designed to steal your personal information or infect your device with malware. The scammers behind these emails preyed on the uncertainty and fear that many felt during the pandemic.

To protect yourself, be cautious with any unsolicited COVID-19-related emails. Verify the information by going directly to official sources rather than clicking on links in emails.

3. Sneaky notification spam

Sneaky spam relies on deceptive subject lines that mimic common social media notifications to trick you into opening the email.

For example, a subject line like “You Have: [1] Unread Message” is a classic tactic. It plays on your curiosity, making you think you’ve missed something important.

Once you open the email, you’ll likely find a link that’s anything but legitimate. Clicking it could lead to phishing sites or download malware onto your device.

If you receive emails like these, even from senders you initially subscribed to, don’t hesitate to mark them as spam. It’s better to be cautious than risk your security.

4. Cryptocurrency scams

As interest in cryptocurrencies has grown, so have the scams targeting those eager to invest. Cryptocurrency spam often arrives in your inbox promising unbelievable returns, exclusive initial coin offerings (ICOs), or foolproof mining opportunities. The emails may even mention well-known cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Ethereum to appear legitimate.

However, these offers are usually too good to be true. Clicking the links can lead to phishing sites designed to steal your money or personal information, or you might be lured into investing in worthless or non-existent digital assets.

5. The “Re:” Trick

The “Re:” trick is a classic spam tactic that still manages to fool people. The spammer crafts the subject line to make it look like a reply to an email you supposedly sent. Seeing “Re:” at the beginning of the subject can easily make you think it’s part of an ongoing conversation.

However, once you open the email, it quickly becomes clear that it’s unrelated to anything you’ve discussed. Typically, the content jumps straight to a sales pitch or some other unsolicited offer.

To avoid falling for this, be cautious with emails that seem to be replies but don’t match any recent conversations you’ve had.

6. Fake job offers

With the rise of remote work, fake job offer spam has become increasingly common. These emails typically promise high-paying, flexible jobs that seem too good to pass up. The subject lines often mention “work from home” or “urgent hiring,” designed to grab your attention.

Once you open the email, you’re either directed to a phishing site that asks for personal information or pressured to pay a fee upfront for supposed training or materials. In some cases, the scammers may even try to extract sensitive information like your Social Security number or bank details under the guise of a job application.

PayPal spam is a common phishing tactic where scammers pose as PayPal, sending emails about supposed account changes or pending transfers that require your “authorization.” If you fall for it and click the link, you’ll be redirected to a fake PayPal site designed to steal your login credentials.

Similar scams target users with emails about various payment issues but avoid mentioning a specific payment processor. The goal is always the same: to trick you into entering your sensitive information on a fraudulent site.

To protect yourself, never click on links in unsolicited emails about your accounts. Instead, visit the website directly by typing the URL into your browser.

8. Subscription renewal scams

Subscription renewal scams are on the rise, preying on the fear of losing access to essential services. These emails claim that a service you rely on – like antivirus software, cloud storage, or streaming platforms – is about to expire. The subject lines are often alarming, urging you to renew immediately to avoid disruption.

The email typically includes a link to a fake renewal page that looks just like the real deal. If you enter your payment information, it goes straight to the scammers, and you might even inadvertently sign up for a service you never needed in the first place.

9. General outreach spam

Occasionally, you’ll receive emails that are clearly part of a mass outreach campaign but are poorly targeted. For example, I once got one that was laughably off-base – something I shared with you before:

This kind of spam could be more effective if the sender took the time to research their audience. Instead, these emails often come across as impersonal and irrelevant, making them easy to spot as spam.

To avoid cluttering your inbox, it’s best to delete these emails immediately or mark them as spam.

10. Invoice or payment request scams

Invoice or payment request scams are becoming more sophisticated, often targeting businesses and individuals alike. These emails claim to be from a vendor, service provider, or even a coworker, asking you to pay an outstanding invoice or settle a bill. The subject lines usually convey urgency, such as “Payment Due” or “Final Notice,” prompting quick action.

The email often includes an attachment or a link to what appears to be an invoice. However, clicking on it could either install malware on your device or lead to a phishing site that captures your payment details.

11. General affiliate spam

I have nothing against affiliate marketing when it’s done right, but some of the emails that land in my inbox are downright absurd. For instance, I received one that was a perfect example of what not to do:

These emails typically follow a predictable formula: (1) grab your attention with an over-the-top, sensational headline, and (2) immediately push a low-quality affiliate offer. The lack of value and transparency makes these emails easy to recognize – and even easier to dismiss.

If you encounter this kind of spam, it’s best to delete it and move on.

12. “Biz op” spam

“Biz op” spam, short for business opportunity spam, is similar to affiliate spam but with a slightly more subdued approach. Instead of flashy, exaggerated headlines, these emails use more down-to-earth language. The goal is usually to drive you directly to a specific website, bypassing the typical affiliate links.

Despite the different approach, the underlying pitch remains the same: an unrealistic promise of easy money with minimal effort. These offers are almost always too good to be true.

As with other types of spam, it’s best to delete these emails and avoid clicking any links.

13. Fake gifts and prizes

The formula for this type of spam is all too familiar: “Congratulations! You’ve won a prize! Click here to claim it!”

It’s a classic scam designed to lure you into clicking a link that could lead to malware, phishing sites, or other malicious content. The promise of a gift or prize is just a bait-and-switch tactic to trick you.

The safest course of action? Delete these emails immediately – there’s no real prize waiting for you.

14. Rolex spam

Rolex spam is one of those persistent nuisances that seems to show up in your inbox regularly. Whether it’s offering you a “luxury watch” at a suspiciously low price or pushing a counterfeit product, these emails are part of one of the most lucrative spam markets out there.

As I mentioned in a previous post, Rolex spam remains one of the top three most profitable types of spam. Despite its predictability, it continues to trick people into buying fake or overpriced goods.

Your best bet? Ignore and delete these emails – there’s no real deal to be found here.

15. The old school of spam

The old school of spam never seems to fade away. This category includes the classic subjects like V****a, adult content, and other similar offers. Despite the rise of more sophisticated scams, these types of spam remain two of the most profitable markets.

Interestingly, it’s not that people are necessarily tricked into clicking these links. Instead, it’s more likely that out of the millions of recipients, a tiny fraction actually seeks what’s being offered and clicks on the links deliberately.

These emails are as persistent as they are predictable, and the best approach is to delete them on sight.

Wrapping it all up

Spam emails aren’t just a nuisance – they’re a real threat to your privacy and security. From phishing attempts to fake invoices, scammers are constantly refining their tactics to catch you off guard. By staying informed about the various types of spam that can land in your inbox, you’re better equipped to spot the red flags and protect yourself from potential harm.

Remember, the best defense is a cautious mindset. If an email seems suspicious or too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t hesitate to delete questionable emails, report them as spam, and avoid clicking on any links or downloading attachments unless you’re absolutely sure they’re legitimate.

That’s it for my list. If you have any ideas for no.16, don’t hesitate to let me know.