For exhibitors and attendees
Not sure an email is really from the event? Check it in seconds.
Scammers target exhibitors and attendees because you’re busy, the deadlines are real and the sums are large. When an event uses SummitShield, checking is quick, free and needs no account.
Three ways to check
Before you pay, book or reply
1. Forward it to the event’s check address
The organiser gives you an address for checks. Forward the email, invoice or offer to it, and you’ll get a reply telling you whether it’s really from them.
2. Use the event’s check page
Paste in an email address, a website, a phone number or bank details. You’ll see straight away whether it belongs to the event, plus the event’s official suppliers and any scams already reported.
3. Click the stamp
Important emails from the event may carry a SummitShield stamp. Click it to see what the real email looked like: who sent it, when, and where its links go. If it doesn’t match, you’ll be warned.
Live example
Try an event check page
Here’s what a check page looks like for a made-up event. Paste one of its scam addresses, or a supplier’s email, and see the answer you’d get.
Warning signs
If you see any of these, stop and check before you pay or reply.
- A change of bank details by email
- Pressure to pay or book today
- Hotel rooms cheaper than the event’s own block
- An offer to sell you the attendee list
- A “renewal” for a directory you never ordered
- An address that’s nearly the event’s, or a free email account
Good habits
Five habits that keep you safe at any event.
- 1Check new bank details by phone, on a number you already have
- 2Only book rooms through the event’s official housing partner
- 3Use the event’s check page or check address
- 4Look for the stamp on invoices, and click it
- 5If in doubt, don’t pay until you’ve checked
Questions people ask
How do I check if an email from an event is genuine?
If the event uses SummitShield, forward the email to the event’s check address, or paste it into the event’s check page. You’ll get an answer in seconds. If the email has a SummitShield stamp, click it to see the original.
Where do I find an event’s check page?
The organiser will share it, usually in the exhibitor manual, joining instructions or email footers. It lives at an address starting summitshield.io/validate/.
Do I need an account?
No. Checking is free and there’s nothing to install or sign up for.
I think I’ve already paid a scammer. What should I do?
Call your bank straight away, using the number on the back of your card or on their website. Report it to the police: in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or on 0300 123 2040, in Scotland to Police Scotland on 101. Then let the event organiser know.
The event I’m exhibiting at doesn’t use SummitShield. Can I still check?
You can still follow the advice on this page. And you could tell the organiser about SummitShield: it’s free for them.
Organising an event?
Give your exhibitors this protection
SummitShield is free for event organisers. Set it up in an afternoon.