Is This Text Message a Scam? How to Check for Free
Why This Matters
Scammers send text messages that look like they come from your bank, the IRS, a delivery service, or even a family member. These messages can look real. If you are not sure, it is safer to stop and check before you reply, click any link, or send money.
Common Signs of a Scam Text
- The message creates urgency, like "act now" or "your account will be closed."
- It asks you to click a link or call a number right away.
- It asks for personal information, a password, or a gift card.
- It claims to be from an agency or company, but the number or sender name looks unfamiliar.
These are general patterns. Not every message with these signs is a scam, and not every scam message has these signs.
How ScamCheck Can Help
ScamCheck is built for Florida seniors and the people who look after them. You paste a text message, email, or describe a phone call. ScamCheck gives you one of three answers: Safe, Suspicious, or Scam. It also gives you one thing to do next. ScamCheck works in English and Spanish. It is free.
What This Guide Cannot Tell You
This guide is not legal, medical, or tax advice. It does not know your specific situation. If a message claims to be from a government agency, a bank, or another organization, confirm directly with that agency or organization using a phone number or website you already know and trust — not the one in the message.
What to Do Next
If you have a text message, email, or a phone call you are not sure about, paste it into ScamCheck. The free tool reads your own message and gives you a clear answer — Safe, Suspicious, or Scam — along with one thing to do next. When in doubt, confirm with a professional or with the agency the message claims to be from.