Are “Delivery Status Notification (Failure)” Emails Spam?

Expert advice for spotting and stopping this new scam email tactic

Co-authored by Luigi Oppido and Hunter Rising

Last Updated: December 11, 2025 Fact Checked

• Meaning
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• Why You’re Getting It
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• Spotting Scams
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• Next Steps
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• If You Opened a Scam Email
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• Video

|Show more |Show less

If you find an email with the subject line “Delivery Status Notification (Failure)” in your inbox, you might feel confused if you didn’t send anything. Even though this notification comes directly from Gmail or your email provider, there’s a good chance that it’s actually spam. Keep reading, and we’ll go over the notification’s meaning and what to do about them. We also spoke with computer and IT experts for advice on recognizing spam emails and next steps if you open one.

“Delivery Status Notification (Failure)” Explained

A “Delivery Status Notification (Failure)” email means a sent email couldn’t be delivered. If you didn’t send an email, it may be spam trying to steal your information. If you receive this notification for an email you didn’t send, report it as spam and avoid clicking on any links, images, or files attached to it.

Steps

Section 1 of 5:

What does “Delivery Status Notification (Failure)” mean?

1. 
   It means that a sent email could not be delivered to the recipient. Getting an email with the subject line “Delivery Status Notification (Failure)” means that an email couldn’t be sent to the address that was listed. While the subject line is a little vague, the body of the email typically contains a more detailed reason why. Some of the potential reasons include:

   • The recipient has a full inbox
   • The service provider is currently down
   • The email address was entered incorrectly

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Luigi Oppido is a Computer & Tech Specialist who has over 25 years of experience in virus removal and computer repairs.

   Dan Rubianes is a Tech Strategist and founder of Cloudience with more than 25 years of experience in cybersecurity.

   Mitch Harris is an IT Expert who runs an IT consulting company to help with data security.

   Michael Thompson-Brown is a Cybersecurity Expert who is the owner and founder of PCRescue! in Portland, Maine.

   Brandon Phipps is a Technology Specialist that specializes in IT services and cybersecurity.
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Section 2 of 5:

Why do I keep getting mail delivery failure emails?

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   1
   The recipient email was entered incorrectly. If you only get a “Delivery Status Notification (Failure)” error when you send an email to someone, it could be a sign there’s something wrong with their address. Double-check that you’ve entered it correctly, and fix any mistakes before trying again.
2. 
   2
   Someone has spoofed or hacked your email. Scammers may use special software that allows them to send emails that look like they’re coming from your account. If you didn’t send any emails but are getting the delivery failure notification, then your account most likely hasn’t been compromised, but someone may be spoofing your email address.

   • If you’ve been hacked, computer and tech specialist Luigi Oppido says you’ll see that “all of a sudden your email's flooded with random spam email.” He mentions that they may all have the same contents or subject lines, and they’ll appear very quickly.
3. 
   3
   Someone is trying to phish your personal information. Tech strategist Dan Rubianes explains, “Phishing is a strategy of getting you to give information, passwords, credentials, or information that a hacker can then exploit.” If someone spoofed your email, they may send fake messages that bounce back to your inbox in hopes that you’ll click a link that gives the scammer access to your personal info.

   • This phishing technique is harder to catch because it comes from the mailer-daemon for your email service and looks more legitimate.
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Section 3 of 5:

How to Spot “Delivery Status Notification (Failure)” Scams

1. 
   1
   Confirm there are no outgoing messages in your Sent folder. Log in to your email account and click on your Sent folder. If you don’t see any sent messages that match the one that bounced back to your inbox, it’s a sign that it didn’t come from your account and someone is trying to get you to open a spam message.

   • If you see sent emails that you didn’t write, it’s a sign your account was hacked.
2. 
   2
   Check your inbox for multiple delivery notification emails. If you only get one email with the delivery failure notification, there’s a chance it’s an actual email you sent that ran into an error. However, if you’re receiving a lot of these emails without an explanation, then there’s a good chance someone they’re spam.
3. 
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   Look for your email with a different domain in the email. Some users who have run into this scam with their Gmail account notice their own email address listed in the body, but it ends with “@google.com” instead of “@gmail.com”. Seeing your own email address as the recipient is a sign that a scammer wants the email to go to your inbox so you’re more tempted to click it.
4. 
   4
   See if suspicious text, images, or files are attached to the email. IT expert Mitch Harris notes that many spam emails “ask you for personal information or ask you to log in” so they can steal your information. He also notes that scammers will usually use a generic greeting, like “Dear Customer,” instead of using your real name. Other signs of phishing include:

   • Misspelled words
   • Urgent requests for information
   • Claims that you won money or a prize
   • Unknown files attached to the email
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Section 4 of 5:

What to Do with “Delivery Status Notification (Failure)” Scam Emails

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   Report the email as spam. Select the email and look for the “Report” or “Mark as spam” button in your email client. Once you report the email, it will usually send a copy to your email provider so they’re able to recognize and filter out similar messages in the future.
2. 
   2
   Avoid opening or clicking any images or links in the email. There’s a chance the email contains malicious files or viruses, so don’t interact with it at all. After marking it as spam, simply delete the email from your inbox so you don’t risk accidentally opening one of the files.

   • If you already clicked on something in your email, jump to our section on what to do next.
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Section 5 of 5:

What to Do if You Opened an Email Scam

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   1
   Disconnect from the Internet right away. As soon as you realize you opened a scam email or phishing attempt, turn off your Wi-Fi or cellular data, or unplug the Ethernet cord from your computer. This helps prevent hackers from connecting to your device and stops other malicious files from downloading in the background.
2. 
   2
   Change your passwords. Oppido recommends making a complex password that has at least 8 characters, but they’ll be more secure if they’re longer. To keep your email safe, he recommends making your password secure but also easy to remember by using 3 words that don’t make sense together in a random order.

   • Example: Something like “FrostyAnimalSticky” would make a good password.
   • Remember to include any password requirements needed for the site, such as a uppercase letter, number, or symbol.
   EXPERT TIP

   

   Brandon Phipps

   Technology Specialist

   Brandon Phipps is a Technology Specialist based in Bakersfield, CA. He is the owner of Second Star Technologies and specializes in Managed IT Services for small and mid-sized businesses in Bakersfield, CA. With over 23 years of experience, he offers expert cloud computing, cybersecurity, and network management solutions. Brandon is a committed community member and coach who leads and innovates in tech and sports coaching. His dedication to local businesses and communities is evident in his hands-on, tailored approach to IT solutions.

   

   Brandon Phipps
   Technology Specialist

   Use a password manager to generate and save new passwords. Password managers store all your passwords across devices and are only accessible with a master passkey. Some browsers like Chrome and Firefox have built-in password managers and generators, but you can use others such as LastPass, BitWarden, or 1Password.
3. 
   3
   Turn on two-factor authentication. Harris says, “two-factor authentication ensures that if anybody tries to access your account from a device that hasn't been saved, it's going to require verification” through a text, email, or authenticator app. Each website and email provider has slightly different methods to turn on 2FA, but you can normally activate it from your account’s Security settings.

   • If you get a notification for a login attempt you don’t recognize, Harris notes that you should change your password again because someone still has access to it.
   • Follow our guides for turning on 2FA on Gmail, Yahoo, and Facebook.
4. 
   4
   Scan your device for malware. Cybersecurity expert Michael Thompson-Brown notes that “one of the best indicators [for malware] is unusual behavior on your computer” such as new downloads or programs running that you don’t use. He recommends checking the Task Manager to check what’s running, and end any processes you don’t recognize.

   • If your computer slows down, Oppido says to run a virus scan once a week to check for any malicious software. He also mentions that real-time scanners will catch malware and unrecognized files before they become a problem.
   • If you accidentally downloaded something malicious, Rubianes notes that endpoint antivirus will prevent you from opening or installing suspicious programs.
5. 
   5
   Delete any recent downloads. If you clicked on a link and it started downloading files to your device, try to interrupt them if you’re able to. If the files are already downloaded, avoid opening them and just delete them right away. For good measure, empty the Trash on your computer to permanently delete the files.
6. 
   6
   Notify your contacts. If you’re worried about a hacker or someone sending messages or emails to other people, send an email out to your contacts list. Let them know that you were a recent victim of a scam email and to be on the lookout for any suspicious messages from your account. That way, they know to avoid opening any emails or links that could make them a victim too.
7. 
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   Monitor online accounts for signs of fraud. Contact your bank and any other providers if you entered any financial information into a phishing link. Let them know that you’ve been phished and set alerts for any suspicious activity. If you notice any purchases or transactions that you didn’t authorize, report them right away.

   • If you think someone has stolen your identity, then report them on the FTC website.
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