Treat it as a scam if it asks you to pay anything, to download a file or app (often a password-protected ZIP "contract"), or to move to WhatsApp, Telegram or another app before any terms are in writing. Check that the sender's address is on the brand's own website domain, not a lookalike or a free mailbox, and that the brand's site lists that person or a partnerships contact. IU holds back any first message to a creator that contains a phone number, a WhatsApp, Telegram, WeChat or other off-platform contact, an email address, a request for payment or a file or app to download.
Before you reply
- The address ends in the brand’s own domain — the same one as its website. Not gmail.com, not brand-partners.net.
- No payment, gift card, crypto or “deposit” is asked of you, ever.
- No file to download or app to install to “see the brief”.
- Terms come in writing before anything moves to WhatsApp, Telegram or a call.
- The rate and deliverables are stated, and the rate is in line with your views.
More examples: spot a fake sponsorship email. On IU, a brand can start a conversation only after verifying a company email on its own domain or a code on its website, and its first message is a structured invite: working safely.
Method
InfluencerUnion reads the public descriptions of recent videos from the YouTube channels it indexes (10K+ subscribers) and records affiliate links, discount codes and disclosed paid promotions. Rates use IU’s published rate method. Figures refresh daily. Not legal or financial advice.
Cite as: InfluencerUnion, “How to tell if a YouTube sponsorship email is a scam”, influencerunion.com/answers/how-to-spot-a-fake-sponsorship-email (2026).