Is this message a scam? Check it free
Paste a text, email or chat message and get a second opinion in seconds: what gave it away, what kind of scam it looks like, and what to do next.
What we look for
- Urgency and pressure: “right now”, “within the hour”, “your account will be closed”.
- Secrecy: “don’t tell anyone”, “keep this between us”.
- Unusual payment: gift cards, crypto, wire transfers, or a bill to pay for someone.
- Look-alike links and numbers: web addresses that imitate a brand, or a new number claiming to be someone you know.
- Impersonation: pretending to be your bank, a delivery company, a government office or a relative.
What to do with a scam message
- Don’t reply, don’t click, don’t call numbers in the message.
- Report it: forward text scams to 7726 (UK), report at reportfraud.ftc.gov (US) or your national service.
- Block the sender.
- If you paid or shared details, call your bank straight away.
- Tell your family, so they recognise it too.
When the message says it’s from a family member
The “Hi Mum” scam and its relatives are the hardest to judge by the words, because the scammer is copying how people write. See our guide to the “Hi Mum” scam, and agree a family safe word so you always have a way to check.
Frequently asked questions
Is this scam text checker free?
Yes. It’s free, needs no sign-up, and we don’t save the message you paste.
How does it decide if a message is a scam?
It looks for known scam patterns (urgency, secrecy, unusual payment requests, look-alike links), checks any link’s reputation without opening it, and asks an AI model for a second opinion. It’s a second opinion, not a guarantee.
Can it tell if a text from ‘my child’ is really them?
Not from the words alone, because a good scammer copies how people write. Verify with the real person on a number you already have, or ask them on their own phone in Countersign.
What should I do if the message is a scam?
Don’t reply, click links or send money. Report it (forward texts to 7726 in the UK, report at reportfraud.ftc.gov in the US), block the sender, and tell the family.
Is my message stored?
No. The text you paste is checked and discarded. We keep only anonymous counts.