The tool is ready to be used, but we are improving the technology behind it, thanks to your valuable input. We are also working hard to support more languages. You can teach the AI by either liking or disliking the results it provides.

• Scam messages often claim to come from the authorities or popular brands. This is done to gain your trust.

• The messages tend to surprise or shock you. Typical methods are telling you your payment was denied, your tax information is flawed, or that there is a delivery for you.

• The message may also try to impersonate your friend or family member. In such cases, contact the person in question through their original phone number, or social media. Do not send them money before checking it really is your friend or family member.

• Phishing messages include a link. Following the link leads to an authentic-looking website. If it asks for your personal details, or tries to get you to download an app, don’t do it.

• If you open the link, check its URL (web address) for any flaws, typos, or other red flags.

• The messages may appear in existing message chains on your phone. Don’t trust the sender blindly.

• Check the message for any typos or weird characters. These are used to fool message filters. Genuine messages don’t include such.

• If a message seems real but you are unsure, do not open the link directly. Rather, sign into the service, or contact the party who the sender claims to be through their official contact information listed on their website. Do not contact the sender phone number directly.

On Android, you can report spam text messages from the Messages app, by touching and holding the conversation you want to report. Tap Block, then Report spam and then OK.

On iPhone, the Report Junk button appears under messages from unsaved numbers. Tap it, then tap Delete and Report Junk.

In UK and the US, you can report spam text messages by forwarding them to number 7726.

If the spam comes in the name of an authority or a company, contact them with the message.

You should also report the scam to the relevant authorities in your country.

Criminals behind scam text messages are almost without exception after money.

For that they need your personal details, which they use for identity theft, such as buying goods or applying to loans and credit cards in your name. They usually get these details through a link included in the fake text message, which then directs you to a fake website.

Criminals can also trick you into downloading malware that steals your information, or your money by accessing your bank.

If they succeed, they run away with the money, while you are left to deal with the consequences and possible losses.

Scam SMS messages almost always include a link that directs you to a bad website. There you are asked to enter your personal details, credit card details, send money, or download an application.

Criminals use these details you enter for identity theft fraud, in which they impersonate you to buy goods, apply for credit cards or loans, or they might start a company for money laundering in your name.

If you download an application through a fake text message link, it usually steals information or money directly from your bank.

Criminals send text message spam to a huge amount of people at the same time. And they profit even if just one person falls for the scam.

To achieve their goals, criminals first need to gain your trust and make the text message scams convincing. That’s why they often claim to come from authorities (such as the police, or tax administration) or popular brands, such as Netflix, Amazon and Facebook.

Yes, this free text message scam checker is safe to use. It’s brought to you by F‑Secure, a Finnish cyber security company with 35 years of experience. F‑Secure is listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki and has around 30 million active subscribers. F‑Secure products have won multiple awards globally from independent testing organizations. Along with our other free tools, this text message scam checker is safe to use as many times as you want to.

Smishing comes from SMS phishing. Essentially it means scam text messages that criminals use to direct you to phishing pages. Learn more about smishing from our article: What is smishing?

AI (artificial intelligence) is extremely efficient in finding patterns and anomalies from massive amounts of data. That makes AI an essential tool in detecting different kinds of attacks and scams, as that’s what they are: anomalies that follow certain patterns.

It’s good to keep in mind that online criminals will not have any issues utilizing AI in scams and other attacks. This powerful technology should also be used in protection. That’s why F‑Secure has been utilizing AI in combating cybercrime and protecting our customers already for a long time. AI significantly increases our capability to keep people safe. And with this particular tool, it helps us detect scams faster and keep you safe.

You can check all kinds of suspected fake text messages, including SMS, iMessage, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, and so on.