Check whether a message is a scam

beginner⏱ Rough guide only: a few minutes – and possibly your savings

Last reviewed by Amara Lewis

Can AI tell me if a message is a scam?

AI can help you spot warning signs. Remove your personal details, paste the message into ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot and ask what looks suspicious. But it can't be certain, so never click links in the message: contact the organisation through a website or number you already trust, and report the scam.

Copy-and-paste prompt

Swap the bits in [square brackets] for your own details.

I received this message and I'm not sure if it's a scam: [paste message text with my personal details removed]. It came by [text/email/WhatsApp/phone call] claiming to be from [organisation]. List the warning signs you can see, what a genuine message from this kind of organisation would usually look like, and what I should do next. Be clear that you can't be certain.

How to do it

  1. Copy the text of the suspicious message – remove your name, account numbers and any codes first.
  2. Paste it into the AI with the prompt below. Don't click any links in the message.
  3. Whatever the AI says, contact the organisation using a number or website you already trust, and report scams to your national reporting service.

What a good answer looks like

Illustrative example written by the AI My Day team to show the kind of answer you can expect. It is not a captured tool output, and real results vary.

Warning signs I can see: 1. Urgency – 'your account will be closed in 24 hours'. 2. The link doesn't match the bank's real website. 3. It asks you to 'confirm your details'. 4. Generic greeting ('Dear customer'). What to do: don't click the link. Call your bank on the number on the back of your card. I can't be certain this is a scam, but it has several common signs.

Recommended tools

Any of these free assistants can explain common scam warning signs in a message you paste in. They are a second opinion, not a guarantee.

ChatGPT

A general-purpose AI assistant you can chat to by typing, talking or sharing photos.

Free planbeginner

Gemini

Google's AI assistant, which works alongside Gmail, Docs and other Google apps.

Free planbeginner

Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft's AI assistant, built into Windows and Microsoft 365 apps.

Free planbeginner

Top tips

  • Never paste passwords, PINs, one-time codes or full card numbers into any AI tool.
  • Scammers create urgency – 'act now' is a warning sign in itself.

Frequently asked questions

Can I trust the AI if it says a message is safe?

No. Scams change constantly. If in doubt, contact the organisation directly using details you already have.

Where do I report a scam?

In the UK, forward scam texts to 7726 and emails to [email protected]; in the US, report to the FTC; in Australia, to Scamwatch. Check your own country's service.

Useful sources

Which AI is best for this?

Not sure which tool suits you? Take the 60-second quiz.

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