Scam Red-Flag Checklist
Check the boxes that match what you are seeing. The more checks, the higher the risk.
How to use it:keep the suspicious text, email, call, or app in front of you. Go down the list and tick each sign that matches. It works for fake AI apps, fake “support” calls, prize and refund texts, and messages that pretend to be your bank. Free, no login, nothing you tick is saved or sent anywhere.
- Urgency: “Act now” or “Your account will be deleted”
- Threats: legal action, fines, or arrest
- Requests payment via gift cards, crypto, or wire transfer
- Asks for your password or two-factor code
- Email sender or URL is close but not exact (e.g., chatgpt-support.co)
- Phone number you do not recognize for a company you already use
- Promise of guaranteed returns, prizes, or refunds you did not request
- Asks to install remote-access software (AnyDesk, TeamViewer)
- Pressure to keep it secret from family or friends
- Unexpected attachment or download link
None checked — likely safe, but stay alert.
If you checked 3 or more
- Do not pay, download, or share personal information
- Contact the company directly using a phone number from their official website
- Tell someone you trust—scammers rely on isolation
- Report fraud at reportfraud.ftc.gov
What to do next (any score)
- Hang up or stop replying. A real company will still be there if you call back on a number you trust.
- Check on your own.Use the phone number on the back of your card, on a paper bill, or on the company’s official website, not the one in the message.
- Never share codes. No real bank, tech company, or government office will ask for your password or the code they just texted you.
- Money already sent? Call your bank or card company right away and tell them it was a scam.
- Report it. Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) and report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Talk to a person.The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline, 877-908-3360, is free for everyone, Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Eastern.
Scams written with AI look polished
Scammers now use AI to write friendly, typo-free messages and can even copy a family member’s voice. So good spelling is no longer a sign that a message is safe. The red flags above still work: pressure, secrecy, odd payment methods, and requests for passwords or codes.
Got a call that sounds like a grandchild asking for money? Set up a family safe word for AI voice cloning scams.
Frequently asked questions
What is a scam checklist?
A scam checklist is a short list of warning signs, like urgency, threats, or requests for gift cards, that you compare against a call, text, email, or app. The more signs match, the more likely it is a scam.
How do I use this scam checklist?
Look at the message or call you are unsure about and tick every red flag that matches. One or two checks means pause and verify. Three or more means do not pay, click, or share anything.
What should I do if I think I am being scammed?
Stop and do not pay or share codes. Contact the company using a number from its official website or the back of your card, tell someone you trust, and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If money already left your account, call your bank right away.
How do I report a scam text message?
Forward the text to 7726 (SPAM), use the report junk option in your messaging app, and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Is there someone I can call for help with a scam?
Yes. The AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline, 877-908-3360, is free and open to everyone, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time.
Can scammers use AI?
Yes. AI can make scam texts and emails sound polished and can even copy a voice. The red flags stay the same: pressure, secrecy, unusual payment methods, and requests for passwords or codes.