Free scam checker
Avoid scams and malware — analyze links, files, and text messages with NordVPN’s free tools.
Is this link fake?
Scan a URL you want to visit to detect malware, fake websites, and phishing attacks.
By entering a URL you agree to our terms of service opens in a new tab and privacy policy opens in a new tab.
Check URLs automatically!
Get NordVPN with its next-gen antivirus and avoid malicious sites.
Included in selected NordVPN plans.
What does a scam checker do?
A scam checker analyzes suspicious links, files, and text messages to help you spot scams before they cause any harm.
Analyzes links and URLs
Use our link checker to verify URLs and websites before you visit them — they may host malware, redirect you to dangerous websites, or be a part of a large phishing scam.
Scans a text or phone number
Upload a screenshot of a suspicious text or copy/paste the contents, and the scam text checker tool will analyze it for common patterns scammers often use.
The scam text checker currently supports English only.
Scans files
Verify a suspicious file before you open it on your device — upload it to the file checker tool and see if it contains known malware strains.
Identify fake texts, images, and scam links with NordBot
If you’re worried that someone online is trying to trick you, ask NordBot for help. It’s an experimental AI-powered chatbot that analyzes content to help you detect scams and fake AI-generated content. NordBot works with all languages.
Why should you use a scam checker?
A few seconds of checking can save you from a scam that takes months to recover from.
Scams are getting harder to spot
Cybercriminals use AI-generated content, cloned websites, and spoofed numbers that can fool even cautious users. A scam checker catches what the human eye might miss.
One wrong click can compromise your device
Malicious links can lead you to infected files that could install malware, steal passwords, or lock you out of your own device. Checking a link before following it takes seconds — recovering from a scam can take months.
It's free and takes no effort
You can get results in moments without signing up for or installing anything. Simply enter a link, upload a file, or paste a screenshot to find out if it’s likely to be dangerous.
Why should you choose NordVPN’s scam checker?
Falling for a scam takes seconds. So does checking a suspicious link, file, or text. Here’s why you should use NordVPN’s scam checker:
Three tools in one place
Check a link, scan a file, or analyze a text message without switching between different services or apps.
A cybersecurity leader
Millions of users trust NordVPN with their digital privacy. The same threat intelligence that powers our security features is put into our scam detection tools.
No subscription required
You don't need a NordVPN account to use any of the tools. Just upload a file or paste a link at the top of this page.
Privacy focused
None of your files, links, or text messages are stored or analyzed for anything other than possible threat patterns.
Recent scam statistics
Increasingly fewer of our transactions take place using cash at a brick and mortar store — people are going full digital, so online scams are only becoming more prevalent. And phishing statistics show that AI technology now allows cybercriminals to generate more effective scams in seconds.
Here are some recent cybersecurity statistics and online threat statistics:
The FTC claims that in 2024, reports of scams have increased four times. People over 60 are especially vulnerable.
Source: FTC opens in a new tab
Over 3.7 million cases of identity theft and fraud were recorded in 2024. These types of crimes have surged by 40% in recent years.
Source: FTC opens in a new tab
75% of Americans have encountered phishing. $16 billion were lost to scammers in 2024 — 33% more than in 2023.
Source: FBI opens in a new tab
When to use a scam detector
Use scam detection tools whenever you receive a link, message, or file that looks suspicious.
It could be a missed delivery, a bank alert, or a too-good-to-be-true offer — paste the message or upload a screenshot to check it before you do anything.
Manual scam checking vs. automated scam checking
You can check files, links, and text whenever they seem suspicious. But NordVPN’s next-gen antivirus will help you spot and avoid online threats even if they look completely innocent.
| Features | Automated scam checking with NordVPN’s  | Manual scam checking |
|---|---|---|
| Lower risk of scams | | |
| Fast results | | |
| Safer browsing | | |
| Zero-day phishing detection | | |
| Malware prevention | | |
| Ad and tracker blocker | | |
| Detailed file inspection in the cloud | | |
| Free service | | |
Learn more about common scams
Want more information about the most popular online scams? We’ve compiled some helpful resources:
Use NordVPN’s scam checker to be safer online
We constantly update our scam and malware databases to help you spot digital threats.
30-day money-back guarantee
Use NordVPN’s scam checker to be safer online
We constantly update our scam and malware databases to help you spot digital threats.
30-day money-back guarantee