Free helper · Scam check

Is this message a scam?

Paste a text, email or DM you're unsure about. You'll get a plain-English list of warning signs and exactly what to do next. It runs only in your browser: nothing you paste is stored or sent anywhere.

Also tick anything that's true
Result
Paste a message to check it
We look for the warning signs consumer-protection agencies describe most often.

    This is a rule-based checklist, not a guarantee. A message with no red flags can still be a scam, and a real company can trip a flag. When in doubt, don't click: contact the company using a phone number or website you already know is real.

    What to do next

    If it looks suspicious

    1. Don't click links, open attachments, or reply. Don't call numbers in the message.
    2. Check directly. Log in through the app or a website you type yourself, or call the number on your card or statement.
    3. Never share a one-time code. Real companies won't ask you to read back a code they texted you.
    4. Report it. Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM). Forward phishing emails to reportphishing@apwg.org. Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
    5. Already paid or shared info? Call your bank or card issuer right away, then follow the steps at IdentityTheft.gov. For internet crime you can also file at IC3.gov (FBI).

    Why this matters

    People told the FTC they lost more than $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024, up 25% from the year before. Investment scams caused the largest losses ($5.7 billion), and email was the most common way scammers made first contact.

    Sources: Federal Trade Commission, "New FTC Data Show a Big Jump in Reported Losses to Fraud to $12.5 Billion in 2024" (March 10, 2025); FTC Consumer Advice, "How To Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams", which also lists the 7726 and reportphishing@apwg.org reporting steps.

    Investing pitches: if a message promises guaranteed or very high returns, this checker is a safety screen only. Nothing on this page is financial or investment advice.

    How does the checker work?

    It scans the text for patterns tied to common scams: urgency and threats, requests for gift cards, crypto or wire payments, prize or refund promises, "verify your account" requests, asks for codes or passwords, look-alike or shortened links, and pitches promising guaranteed returns. Each match adds points. Nothing leaves your device, and no AI service is called.

    Can it tell me for sure?

    No. Scammers change wording constantly. Use the result as a second opinion, and always verify through a channel you already trust.