📸 What Are Image-Only Emails?

An image-only email contains no real text in the body — just a graphic that displays the message, often including logos, text, and even fake buttons or forms. Sometimes the whole email looks like a newsletter, a payment notification, or an urgent security alert — but it’s actually just a picture.

 

🚨 Why Scammers Use Image-Based Emails

Scammers use this method for several reasons:

Bypass Spam Filters: Spam filters are good at analyzing text for suspicious phrases. Images are harder for automated systems to scan, so scammers use them to hide shady content.

Hide Malicious Links: A single image can be “clickable,” leading to a phishing site. Since the link is hidden behind the image, you can’t easily see where it goes.

Avoid Detection Tools: Security software and email previews often don’t “see” the content if it’s just an image. That helps scam emails avoid detection or look innocuous in your inbox.

 

🔍 How to Spot an Image-Only Email Scam

No Selectable Text Try to highlight or copy part of the message. If you can’t, it’s likely an image.

Suspicious or Blurry Text Poor image quality, spelling errors, or strange fonts are common signs.

No Alt Text or Metadata Legitimate companies include alt text for images for accessibility — scammers don’t bother.

Unknown or Spoofed Sender Check the “From” address carefully. Look out for domains that don’t match the brand.

Urgency or Threats Be wary of messages claiming your account will be locked, or that you must act now.

Hover-Check Links Hover your mouse over buttons or the image — if it’s clickable, the URL may appear. Don’t click it; just see if it looks suspicious or unfamiliar.

 

✅ What to Do if You Receive One

Don’t click anything in the email.

Do not download any attachments.

Report it to your email provider as phishing or spam.

Delete the email immediately.

If you're ever unsure, go directly to the company's official website by typing the URL into your browser yourself.

 

🧠 Stay Smart, Stay Safe

While image-only emails aren’t always scams (some retailers and marketers use them), they’re often a sign of low effort or shady intent. If something feels off — trust your instincts and verify independently.