Instantly gauge online threat levels with the F‑Secure Scamometer

F-Secure has been a driving force in the cyber security industry for more than 30 years. A member of the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) and the Coalition Against Stalkerware, we are at the forefront of threat intelligence through extensive research developed by F-Secure experts, and we’re dedicated to educating people on how to protect themselves from scams.

Select a digital moment from the drop-down list to learn about potential scam risks and threat levels for that online activity. These Scamometer outcomes were developed through the expertise of F-Secure cyber threat experts and data collected from our Living Secure survey. The overall threat level for each outcome is informed by the impact and probability scores determined by our experts.

The F-Secure Scamometer explores threat levels across a range of everyday digital moments targeted for online scams: dating, shopping, banking, gaming, voice calls, and text messaging.

• A higher score (4–6) indicates a higher impact on life, probability, and/or overall threat risk.
• A lower score (1–2) indicates a lower impact on life, probability, and/or overall threat risk.

The tool also provides examples of scam scenarios to watch out for during each online activity.

Today, almost everything we do is digital — from paying bills and banking online to online shopping and dating. And scammers have capitalized on this, using a variety of tactics in their scams to trick people. These include:

• Emotional manipulation
• Fearmongering
• Time pressure
• Gaining victims’ trust

In recent years, scammers have taken advantage of artificial intelligence (AI) advancements to craft compelling phishing messages and even manipulate audio, images, and videos. For example, AI-enhanced phishing scams are commonly used by scammers to steal personally identifying information, such as your social security number or bank account details, for identity theft.

Browse our articles to learn about the latest online scams and how to protect yourself.

You could encounter a range of scams in your digital life, such as:

• Online dating: fake profiles, romance scams, and investment scams
• Online shopping: fake deals/discounts, shops, and shopping apps.
• Online banking: phishing scams, credit card cloning, and banking app trojans.
• Gaming: bad trades, fake apps and mods, and skin in the game scams.
• Text messaging: smishing, subscription traps, and misleading promotions.
• Voice calls: social engineering calls, robocalls, spam phone calls, and voice spoofing.

Browse our articles to learn about the latest online scams and how to protect yourself.

Yes, by taking care of your cyber hygiene and remaining vigilant online, you can avoid scams.

• Use our free tools to avoid scams by checking the legitimacy of online shops and text messages, creating strong and unique passwords, and much more.
• Take advantage of F-Secure Total, our comprehensive cyber security solution that makes protecting your digital life effortless with one brilliantly simple app.
• Browse our articles to learn about the latest online scams and how to protect yourself.

To protect yourself from scams, it's essential to stay informed about the latest scammer tricks and scam protection advice, and to be vigilant when sharing personal information online. Always verify the legitimacy of any unsolicited communications and never click on suspicious links or download attachments from unknown sources.

In today’s digital age, scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their tactics. They use a variety of methods to deceive unsuspecting victims including phishing emails, fake websites, and fraudulent job offer scams, which can lead to significant financial losses and personal information theft. Be cautious of any requests to send money and remember the golden rule in scam protection and prevention: if something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Further­more, if something doesn’t feel right, it’s time to stop and reassess the situation. Consider the following:

• Are you being asked to move or transfer money or reveal personal information?
• Are your emotions (such as fear) being manipulated to coerce you into acting quickly?
• Have you received an unexpected call or request from someone — or something — you trust, such as your bank, a government official, a colleague, or even a family member?

If you think you’ve fallen victim to a scam, you should do the following:

1. Record the details of the scam. Take any screenshots, note specific information such as URLs or phone numbers, and list any payments you may have made.
2. Report it to the appropriate authorities, depending on where you live. If you live in the US, you should report a scam to the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau. In the UK, you should report a scam to Action Fraud. In countries such as Finland, Sweden and Germany, you should report it to the police. Visit Europol for a full list of places to report an online scam in European countries.
3. Contact your bank if you’ve provided financial information or made an online purchase.