Got something suspicious right now? What to do
Do not pay and do not click. Ring the person back on a number you already have. Ask for the code word you agreed on. Then report it to your bank and to the line for your country.
- 1
Do not pay and do not click
A scam runs on speed. Nothing gets worse if you wait ten minutes. Send no money and buy no gift cards or crypto. Open no link and read no code out loud.
- 2
Check on a channel you already have
Ring the person back on the number in your own contacts. Never use the number in the message itself. Another way is the code word your family agreed on. A bank never asks for money or a login code through a chat app.
- 3
Report it
Call your bank first if money has left your account. A quick report gives the best chance of getting it back. Report the message itself as well. Then the number or the website can be taken down for the next person.
Where to report it
Call your bank first when money has moved. The line for your country takes the message itself.
ReportFraud.ftc.gov United States
The federal government site for reporting fraud, scams and bad business practices.
Report it read on September 23, 2026
Report Fraud, formerly Action Fraud United Kingdom
The national reporting centre for cyber crime and fraud in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Report it 0300 123 2040read on September 23, 2026
Scamwatch Australia
Takes reports of any suspicious contact or activity. With your consent it gets scam websites, scam ads and contact details removed.
Report it read on September 23, 2026
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre Canada
Collects reports on fraud and identity theft and passes them to law enforcement.
Report it 1-888-495-8501read on September 23, 2026
Have the message checked for free
These checks cost nothing and give a second opinion on a message, a link or a shop. They judge only what you hand them. None of them can tell whether the real person sent it. That is what step two is for.
- ScamioBitdefenderRates a message, link or QR code that you paste into the chat yourself.Bitdefender on this feature, read on September 23, 2026What it costs
- Avast AssistantAvastYou show it a suspicious message or offer and it says whether it looks like a scam.Avast on this feature, read on September 22, 2026
- Web GuardAvastIt blocks fake shops, phishing links and dangerous downloads without you asking.Avast on this feature, read on September 22, 2026
- F-Secure Deepfake DetectorF-SecureYou upload an image or a video and get a score for how likely it is AI-made.Where it works: Also on the Dutch page. The subtitle at the top of that page is printed in Italian.F-Secure on this feature, read on September 22, 2026
If you want protection that keeps running
A free check works only when you think to ask for it. Paid protection watches links and messages while you use them. This comparison puts two of them side by side.
Where we earn from a click, it says so under the button.