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5 min Safety Beginner

Check a suspicious text or email for scam red flags

The problem: A text says you owe a toll. An email says your account is locked. A “grandkid” needs money fast. It looks almost real, it wants you to act right now, and you’re not sure whether to tap, call, or ignore it.

Do this

  1. Don’t tap any link, call any number in it, or reply. Copy the message text and delete your name, account numbers, and codes from the copy.
  2. Fill in the brackets, paste the prompt, and add the message at the bottom.
  3. Whatever the AI says, check it yourself: contact the company or person using a number or website you already trust, not one from the message.

Copy-paste

Help me check if this message is a scam. I'm not a tech person, so keep it plain. What it is: [e.g. text message / email / Facebook message / voicemail I typed out] Who it says it's from: [e.g. "E-ZPass" / "my bank" / "Amazon" / "my grandson"] What it wants me to do: [e.g. "tap a link to pay a toll" / "call a number" / "send gift cards"] Was I expecting it? [yes / no / not sure] 1) List every red flag you see (pressure to act fast, threats, odd links or sender, requests for payment, codes or passwords, spelling or tone that's off), and explain each one in one plain sentence. 2) List anything that looks normal, so I get a fair picture. 3) Give me a verdict: looks normal / be careful / likely scam, and say why in 2 sentences. 4) Tell me the safe way to check it myself without using any link or number in the message. Don't open or visit any links. If you can't tell, say so. The message (my name, account numbers, and codes removed): [PASTE THE MESSAGE]

Done when: You have a verdict, you know the red flags, and you’ve checked it (or deleted it) without tapping anything in the message.

Make it better: Reply “Write a short, kind text I can send my mom explaining how to spot this kind of scam.” Already tapped the link or paid? Ask “I already [tapped the link / gave my card / sent money]. Give me a step-by-step list of what to do in the next hour.”

Privacy and caveats: Never paste passwords, one-time codes, full card or account numbers, or your Social Security number, even to an AI. AI can’t see where a link really goes or who really sent a message, and scams can be written to fool AI too, so “looks normal” is not a green light. Never pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or crypto because a message told you to. In the US, forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) and report fraud at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you already shared a card or bank detail, call your bank using the number on your card right away.

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