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Free public scam check · Updated daily

Is that a scam?

Describe what happened. In seconds, we'll tell you if it matches a known scam — and what to do next.

  • Updated daily
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How this works

  1. 01

    Describe what happened

    Type or speak one sentence. No account needed.

  2. 02

    We match it against known scams

    Patterns drawn from the FTC, FBI/IC3, RBI Sachet, and named news outlets.

  3. 03

    Get a clear answer

    Yes, likely, or unsure — with exactly what to do next.

Recent in India

Reported recently

Critical Digital arrest

Police or CBI on video call says you are under "digital arrest"

A caller on WhatsApp or video chat impersonates a police officer, CBI agent, or customs official claiming your Aadhaar or phone is linked to drugs or money laundering. They demand you stay on-call and pay to "settle."

What to do
Critical Crypto

Fake "BNB Chain Verification" site drains your crypto wallet the moment you approve

A fake 'BNB Chain Verification' site prompts you to connect your Trust Wallet or MetaMask. A hidden third permission grants unlimited token allowance; an automated drainer script sweeps your entire wallet in seconds. Loss is irreversible.

What to do
High risk Phishing

SMS says your vehicle has an unpaid traffic fine — the link leads to a fake payment portal

An SMS warns your vehicle has a pending traffic challan with a threat of court action. The link opens a fake M-Parivahan portal that harvests your card or banking credentials. Some variants prompt download of an APK that steals OTPs.

What to do
High risk Investment

WhatsApp group with a famous broker giving guaranteed stock tips

You are added to a WhatsApp or Telegram group where a supposed SEBI-registered broker shares tips that seem to deliver big returns. Investing more becomes impossible to withdraw without paying a "tax" or "fee."

What to do
Critical Tech support

Bank support asks you to install AnyDesk or Quick Support to fix your account

Caller poses as bank customer care saying your KYC is pending or your account is compromised. They send an SMS with a link to install AnyDesk or Quick Support remote-access app, then drain your account.

What to do
High risk Banking

ATM skimmer + pinhole camera clones your card and PIN

A skimmer fitted over the ATM card slot reads your card data while a pinhole camera or fake keypad overlay captures your PIN. Hours later, money is withdrawn from another city's ATM. Cover the keypad and prefer in-branch ATMs.

What to do
High risk Loan

Fake instant-loan app steals upfront fees then threatens you with your own contacts

A fake loan app downloaded via social media or SMS link promises instant approval with no CIBIL check. After you pay an upfront 'processing fee', the app harvests your contacts and photos to extort repayment.

What to do
High risk Other

Public USB charging port at airport or station hijacks your phone

Tampered USB ports at airports, stations, malls, hotels, or cafes can install malware or pull data from your phone the moment you plug in. RBI and I4C warn travellers — use only your own charger and wall socket, or a data-blocker cable.

What to do
High risk Phishing

Cloned Ajio, Tata Cliq, Myntra, Amazon site with 90% off Instagram ads

Clone Ajio, Tata Cliq, Myntra, Amazon, or Flipkart sites pushed via Instagram or WhatsApp 'mega 90% off' ads. You pay by UPI or card, receive nothing or a worthless item, and card details are exfiltrated for later misuse.

What to do
Critical Other

A stranger initiates a video call, then threatens to share a nude recording

A WhatsApp video call from an unknown number — the camera shows a partially or fully nude woman. The scammer records you (often with morphed or pre-recorded footage spliced in), then sends a screen recording and threatens to share it with your contacts and family unless you pay.

What to do
High risk Job

Fake part-time job on Telegram pays small amounts then demands growing deposits

An unsolicited WhatsApp message offers part-time pay for liking videos or writing reviews on Telegram. Small real payments build trust, then 'prepaid tasks' require growing deposits that reach lakhs with no withdrawal.

What to do
Critical Phishing

Your phone goes dead and money disappears — SIM swap fraud

A scammer with your stolen ID copies walks into an Airtel, Jio, Vi, or BSNL store and asks for a duplicate SIM in your number. Your SIM goes dead, theirs activates, all OTPs flow to them, and your bank and UPI accounts get drained within hours.

What to do
High risk Marketplace

A buyer asks you to scan a UPI QR code to "receive" payment

When selling on OLX or marketplace, a "buyer" sends a QR code or UPI request and asks you to scan it to receive payment. UPI QR codes can only send money, never receive — scanning deducts from your account.

What to do
High risk Phishing

AI clones a family member's voice and calls you with a fake emergency

Scammers use AI to clone a relative's voice from social media clips, then call pretending to be in a crisis—accident, arrest, or hospital—and demand an urgent UPI transfer. The voice sounds genuine.

What to do
Critical Delivery

FedEx or Blue Dart calls about drugs or a fake passport in your parcel

Caller pretends to be a courier company saying a package sent from your address contains contraband. They connect you to a fake police officer demanding payment to avoid arrest.

What to do
High risk Phishing

SMS says your Aadhaar will be deactivated unless you click a link

An SMS or WhatsApp message claims your Aadhaar will be deactivated, suspended, or unlinked from your bank unless you update KYC by clicking a link or installing an APK. The link harvests personal data and the APK is malware that reads OTPs.

What to do
High risk Banking

A "bank" calls about credit card reward points and asks for an OTP

A caller claims to be from your credit card bank (HDFC, ICICI, SBI, Axis) offering to convert expiring reward points into cashback, gift vouchers, or a higher credit limit. To "process" it, they ask for the OTP that just arrived on your phone — that OTP authorizes a fraudulent transaction.

What to do
High risk Phishing

SMS says your electricity will be cut tonight at 9:30 PM

An SMS or WhatsApp claiming to be from your electricity board (BSES, MSEDCL, BESCOM, etc.) says your supply will be disconnected tonight because of an unpaid bill. A "linesman" or "officer" then calls and asks you to install Quick Support or AnyDesk to fix the payment.

What to do
Critical Tech support

Googling a customer care number returns a scammer's number at the top

You search Google for "SBI customer care," "Swiggy refund," or "Indigo cancellation" and the top result is a fake number on a fake page. The "agent" who picks up walks you through installing AnyDesk or Quick Support, then drains your bank account.

What to do
High risk Investment

A caller claims your old LIC or insurance policy has lapsed and offers a refund

A caller pretends to be from IRDAI, LIC, or your insurance company. They say a policy you forgot about has matured or lapsed, and a large refund of ₹3 lakh-₹10 lakh is waiting. To claim it, you must pay GST, processing fees, or "stamp duty" upfront.

What to do
High risk Banking

"Google Pay" message says you won cashback — enter your UPI PIN

A WhatsApp message or app notification claiming to be from Google Pay, PhonePe, or Paytm says you have a cashback of ₹500–₹2,500 waiting. To "claim" it you must scan a QR or enter your UPI PIN. Entering the PIN deducts the amount from your account.

What to do
High risk Phishing

"IRCTC" SMS says your train booking failed — click here for a refund

An SMS appearing to be from IRCTC claims your train booking failed or was cancelled, and a refund of a specific (often suspiciously round) amount is pending. A link takes you to a fake IRCTC page that captures your IRCTC login, PAN, and net-banking credentials.

What to do
Critical Job

A high-paying job offer abroad leads to forced labor in a scam compound

A recruiter on LinkedIn, WhatsApp, or Telegram offers a high-paying customer service, data entry, or crypto trading job in Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar, or Laos. The actual destination is a scam compound where workers' passports are confiscated and they are forced to scam others under threat of violence.

What to do
Critical Investment

Matrimony / dating site contact pivots to a crypto trading "tip"

A profile on Shaadi, Jeevansathi, Bharat Matrimony, or a dating app starts a warm conversation that moves to WhatsApp. After weeks of rapport, they introduce a "family broker" or trading app showing huge returns. Initial small withdrawals work; large deposits cannot be withdrawn.

What to do
High risk Tax

SMS from "Income Tax Department" offers a refund — click here to claim

SMS or email claiming to be from the Income Tax Department says you have a pending refund of ₹15,000-₹40,000 and includes a link to "claim" it. The link goes to a fake e-filing page that captures your PAN, bank account, IFSC, and net-banking password.

What to do

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