More confidence online
Make unwanted email easier to manage.
You do not have to reply to every message. Start by separating familiar subscriptions from messages you do not trust.
For an unfamiliar or suspicious message
Do not reply, open an attachment, or follow its links. A familiar display name does not prove who sent the email.
- Select the message in your inbox.
- Look for Report spam, Junk, or Report phishing. The name and location depend on your email app; it may be in a three-dot menu.
- Use Report phishing for a message that impersonates someone to ask for a password, payment, or personal information. Use Spam or Junk for other unwanted messages.
- Let your email app move it out of your inbox.
Marking messages as spam helps your email service recognize unwanted mail, but it will not stop every message. Blocking one sender can help with repeat messages from that address, though spammers often change addresses.
When to unsubscribe
For a newsletter or store you recognize and knowingly subscribed to, an unsubscribe link can be appropriate. Your email service may also show its own unsubscribe option.
For suspicious mail from a sender you do not recognize, do not click an unsubscribe link. Treat it as spam instead. A link inside the message may not go where it claims to go.
Check requests another way
If an email says there is a problem with your bank, shopping account, or another service, open the app you already use or type the website address you know. Do not use a link or phone number from the email to verify the email itself.
Do not email passwords or verification codes. If you entered a password on an unfamiliar page, use the service’s official app or website to change it and seek trusted help promptly.
Keep the task manageable
Start with a few recent messages. You do not need to clear your whole inbox in one sitting. Check before marking or deleting a group of messages so you do not lose mail you wanted to keep.