Remove your name, address and account numbers first. You can also paste a screenshot straight into the box.
This page never asks for your bank details, codes or passwords. Nothing you paste leaves your phone.
How do I copy a message from my phone?
Be careful not to tap any links in the message while you do this. Choose where the message is:
Is someone on the phone to you right now, asking for money, a code or your details?
Or has a warning popped up on your screen saying you have a virus and to ring a number?
Put this on your phone's home screen
It then opens like an app, with its own icon, so you don't need to remember the web address.
- Android: in Chrome, tap the three dots at the top right, then "Add to Home screen" or "Install app".
- iPhone or iPad: in Safari, tap the Share button (the square with an arrow), then "Add to Home Screen".
- Checking WhatsApp and text messages on Android: once it's on your home screen, press and hold the message, tap Share, and choose "Is This a Scam?". It opens and checks the message straight away.
New to this?
More: practise, examples and email details
Try a made-up example:
Optional: also check the email's hidden details
Every email carries hidden details that show whether it really came from the company it names. This is only for emails, not text messages. Choose your email app for the steps:
What people have checked
messages checked so far
Most common scams in the last 30 days
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Practise spotting scams
Our answer
Our answer
What they're probably after:
What to do now
- Do not click links, open attachments or call numbers given in the message.
- Contact the company or person yourself, using a phone number or website you already know.
- Never share a code, password or PIN, even with someone who says they are from your bank or the Gardaí (the police).
- Ask someone you trust before you do anything.
What happened?
You're fine. Don't reply or tap anything. You can delete it, or keep it if you want to report it.
- Don't type anything else into that page.
- If you entered a password, change it now. Use the company's own app or website, not the link.
- If you gave card or bank details, ring your bank now.
- Expect follow-up calls or texts pretending to help. Hang up.
- Ring your bank now. Ask them to stop the payment and protect your account.
- Bank of Ireland: 1800 946 764 (24 hours, every day)
- Other banks and credit unions: the number on the back of your card or in your banking app
- Report it at your local Garda station. Find your local station
- Keep the message. Don't delete it.
It's not your fault. These criminals are very skilled. Someone to talk to:
- Crime Victims Helpline: 116 006 (Mon to Thu 10am to 7.30pm, Fri 10am to 5pm, Sat 2pm to 4pm)
- Samaritans: 116 123 (any time)
- ALONE, for older people: 0818 222 024 (8am to 8pm, every day)
- MABS, for money worries: 0818 07 2000
Be careful of anyone who contacts you offering to get your money back. That is a second scam.
How to report it, or what to do if you've been caught out
If you haven't replied, clicked or paid: you don't need to do anything else. Don't reply. If it pretends to be a company, you can let that company know, using contact details from its own website or your bills.
If you clicked a link, gave details or sent money:
- Call your bank straight away, using the number on your card or statement. Ask them to stop or reverse the payment and to put a hold on your account.
- Report it at your local Garda station. Find your local station.
- Keep the message. Don't delete it. Take a screenshot, and note the dates, amounts and any reference numbers. Your bank and the Gardaí may need them.
Remember: Gardaí, banks and government departments will never ask for your PIN or password, or ask you to move your money.
Hearing nothing back after you report it is normal. It still helps.
Useful numbers:
- Someone at your door or in danger now: 999 or 112
- Garda Confidential Line, to give information about a crime: 1800 666 111
- CCPC consumer helpline, for advice: 01 402 5555
- Age Action, for older people and their families: 01 475 6989
- Bank of Ireland fraud line: 1800 946 764 (24 hours)
- Your bank: the number on the back of your card
- Offered an investment? Check the firm is allowed: Central Bank register, and its warning list
Just want to check a website address? Try ScamChecker from FraudSMART, run by Irish banks.
Advice from An Garda Síochána, the CCPC and gov.ie.
If you're not sure, ask a family member or friend to have a look too.
Someone is on the phone to you
If they are asking for money, a code, your PIN or to install an app, it is very likely a scam.
- Hang up now. It's not rude. A real bank, Garda or company will understand.
- Wait 5 minutes, or use a different phone. Some scammers stay on the line and pretend to be the bank when you ring back. When you ring back, first check you hear a dial tone.
- Ring back on a number you find yourself: on the back of your bank card, on a bill, or on the official website. Never the number they gave you.
- Talk to someone you trust before you do anything.
Never do these for anyone who contacts you
- Read out or pass on a code sent to your phone.
- Give your PIN or password.
- Move your money to a "safe account".
- Hand cash, cards or your cheque book to someone who calls to your door.
- Pay with gift cards, vouchers or cryptocurrency.
- Install an app they tell you to, or let them "fix" your computer.
- Never let anyone onto your computer or phone, or share your screen.
Banks, the Gardaí and government departments will never ask you to do any of these.
If you have already given details or money: ring your bank straight away on the number on your card, then report it at your local Garda station. It's not your fault. These people are very good at what they do.
Advice from An Garda Síochána.
A warning says you have a virus
A page that says your computer or phone is infected and gives a number to ring is a scam. Your computer is almost certainly fine. Microsoft, Apple and your phone company never put a phone number in a warning like this.
- Don't ring the number and don't click anything on the warning.
- On a computer, hold down the Esc key (top left of the keyboard) for a few seconds. That gets you out of full screen. Then close the browser.
- If it won't close, switch the computer off with its power button, wait a minute, and switch it on again. Don't reopen the page it was on.
- On a phone or tablet, close that tab, or close the browser app.
If you already rang them or let them in
- Hang up. Disconnect the computer from the internet (switch off the Wi-Fi or unplug the cable).
- Never let anyone onto your computer or phone, or share your screen.
- If you paid or gave bank details, ring your bank straight away on the number on your card.
- Ask someone you trust, or a local computer shop, to check the computer before you use it for banking.
- Change your passwords using a different device, starting with email and banking.
- Report it at your local Garda station. It's not your fault. These people are very good at what they do.
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