Is This a Scam? Free Two-Minute Check

A call, text, email or message has you worried, and you are not sure whether it is real. This self-check walks you through the warning signs that consumer protection agencies such as the U.S. Federal Trade Commission say show up in almost every scam. Tick each one that matches what happened. Nothing you tick is saved or sent anywhere. Checked October 25, 2026.

Who contacted you?

They said they were from a government agency, a bank, a delivery company, a well-known tech company, or a family member, and they contacted me first. The message came from a number, email or account I have not used with them before, or the caller ID looked official.

What did they say?

They said there is a problem: I owe money, my account is locked, my computer has a virus, there is a warrant, or someone I love is in trouble. They said I won a prize, a refund, a settlement, a grant or a job, but I need to pay or share details first. They asked for a password, a PIN, my full Social Security or Medicare number, or a code that was texted to me.

How did they act?

They want me to act right now, or something bad will happen. They told me to stay on the line, not to hang up, or not to tell my bank, family or anyone else. They sent a link or a QR code, or asked me to download an app or let them control my computer.

How do they want to be paid?

They want gift cards, a wire transfer, cryptocurrency, a payment app, or cash handed to a courier or put in a crypto ATM. They sent me a check or money and asked me to send some of it back or on to someone else.

Warning signs ticked:

If none of these match, that is a good sign, but scams change all the time. If you still feel unsure, contact the organization using a phone number or website you look up yourself, not one from the message.

Even one of these is a reason to stop. Do not pay, click, or share anything. Hang up or stop replying, then contact the organization using a number you already trust, such as the one on your card or a statement. Talk it over with someone you trust before you do anything else. If you have already paid or shared details, go to Get Help Now.

Why these warning signs matter

Scams look different from one month to the next, but the pattern underneath stays the same. The FTC sums it up in four signs: scammers pretend to be from an organization you know, say there is a problem or a prize, pressure you to act immediately, and tell you to pay in a specific way. Every question above maps to one of those four.

Pretending. Caller ID, email names and profile photos are easy to fake. A real bank or agency will not mind if you hang up and call the number on its official website. See how to spot impersonation scams.
A problem or a prize. Fear and excitement both make it harder to think clearly. That is the point. Government agencies do not call to threaten arrest, and real prizes never require a fee. See IRS and Social Security imposters and prize scams.
Pressure and secrecy. Being told to stay on the line or keep it from your bank is one of the clearest signs of a scam. It stops you from checking the story. See family emergency scams.
Unusual payment. Gift cards, wire transfers, crypto and payment apps are hard to trace and nearly impossible to reverse. That is why scammers ask for them. See gift cards are only for gifts and fake check scams.

What to do next

Stop. Hang up, close the message, or stop replying. You do not owe a stranger an explanation.
Check it yourself. Look up the organization’s official number or website, or call the family member directly on the number you already have.
Talk to someone you trust. Saying the story out loud to a friend or relative often makes the scam obvious.
If you paid or shared details, call your bank or card issuer right away, change any password you shared, and follow the steps on Get Help Now.
Report it. In the U.S., report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Reporting helps investigators spot patterns, even if you did not lose money.

Frequently asked questions

Is anything I tick saved?
No. The check runs entirely in your browser. Nothing is stored or sent, and the answers clear when you leave or press “Clear my answers”.

I ticked nothing, so is it safe?
Not necessarily. This check covers the most common signs, not every scam. If something still feels off, trust that feeling and verify through a number or website you find yourself.

Can I use this with a parent or grandparent?
Yes. Going through it together on the phone is a gentle way to check a worrying call without making anyone feel foolish. Our printable fridge card and family tech plan can help too.

Sources

Federal Trade Commission: How To Avoid a Scam, accessed October 25, 2026.

Get one family safety tip a month. Sign up for the Juggling Chaos newsletter. We will never ask for a password, payment, gift card, or verification code.

This tool is general information, not legal or financial advice, and it cannot confirm whether a specific message is a scam. See our Disclaimer and Editorial Policy.