# How to check a scam message

## Guide

***

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="Interactive Demo" %}
{% @arcade/embed flowId="7QVrLb2VDsPglwaXjMpH" url="<https://app.arcade.software/share/7QVrLb2VDsPglwaXjMpH>" %}
{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Step-By-Step Guide" %}

## Checking for Scams: A Step by Step Guide

Step 1: Launch ScamShield > Click on "Check for scams".\
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![](https://3160784115-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnpSeWIeWjGurS9MIV8ak%2Fuploads%2Fkf88e2ErVjKu5mApGq9e%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=0641b3d6-e0dd-4ff4-b87f-1b8dbe524ab7)

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**Step 2**: Click on "<mark style="color:blue;">Start Check</mark>" to get started.\
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![](https://3160784115-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnpSeWIeWjGurS9MIV8ak%2Fuploads%2FaJsqaXNPiLnaFmJSlHEO%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=13aa5cab-7add-47aa-ae7b-7b91ba77c282)

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**Step 3**: Click on  "<mark style="color:blue;">A Message you received</mark>"

![](https://3160784115-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnpSeWIeWjGurS9MIV8ak%2Fuploads%2FFs7bbapnTVwtx0JcXMsZ%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=f8907547-4513-4890-8e5f-7bdf2ab84ea0)

\
**Step 4**: Select the source of the message.&#x20;

![](https://3160784115-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnpSeWIeWjGurS9MIV8ak%2Fuploads%2FmSAywS2XocpXnD68DKIc%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=7eb4cba8-4313-4ca6-8367-e819014d7d11)

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**Step 5**: You may now proceed to either upload a screenshot of the message or copy-paste the message received into the text box provided.&#x20;

In the case uploading a screenshot, ScamShield will extract the relevant information from the conversation.

![](https://3160784115-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnpSeWIeWjGurS9MIV8ak%2Fuploads%2FoOE5YBGowy6ffxqMwecR%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=1c24e1bc-c886-460b-8ec9-1f37a7e9ed75)

\
If you decide to upload a screenshot, please select the right screenshot > click on 'Check if scam' to proceed.

![](https://3160784115-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnpSeWIeWjGurS9MIV8ak%2Fuploads%2FFTtuBj76egwhxbure6zm%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=8666b092-9d8a-41f7-be94-eef6dd06f637)

If you decide to copy & paste a message, please enter the sender's number or ID when prompted > click on 'Check' to proceed.

![](https://3160784115-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnpSeWIeWjGurS9MIV8ak%2Fuploads%2FKbeTqkL2R1zReq9Kdj3m%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=c3f71ac6-d47a-49e8-99aa-6a23e05443c6)

**Step 6**: That's it! Now you can wait for the check outcome.
{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

## Check Outcomes for Messages

***

<details>

<summary>Beware, this looks like a scam</summary>

![](https://3160784115-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnpSeWIeWjGurS9MIV8ak%2Fuploads%2Fa20PWyaLgqaz3FL0R8ZB%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=611c8312-8104-42c6-93c5-5101804e939b)![](https://3160784115-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnpSeWIeWjGurS9MIV8ak%2Fuploads%2FFigTIWHDyx0FlTUDp501%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=0c7d896e-a093-4120-a99d-a58d2e047aee)

If you receive this outcome for your check, please proceed with caution. You may also lookout for other relevant information in this result such as:

1. **Similarity to other types of scams.** Eg. job scam, investment scam, etc.
2. **Volume of reports for this scam.** Eg. 100 other people have reported this particular scam.
3. **Legitimacy of scam.** Eg. the phone number is deemed suspicious by the police.

To aid you in your reporting process, if the check outcome looks like a scam, <mark style="color:blue;">**ScamShield will automatically submit a scam report for you.**</mark>

</details>

<details>

<summary>Be careful, we're not sure about this one</summary>

![](https://3160784115-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnpSeWIeWjGurS9MIV8ak%2Fuploads%2FdysTab4BrQDzaZhZe2Tm%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=befa6be7-0878-414e-8f84-539ab026ecef)

If you receive this outcome, it is highly likely this sender has not been reviewed yet.

In such a case, you may make an informed decision from available data such as volume of reports, timestamp of the latest report, etc. If you believe the message is suspicious, then you may proceed to submit a scam report.

</details>

<details>

<summary>This message looks safe</summary>

<img src="https://3160784115-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnpSeWIeWjGurS9MIV8ak%2Fuploads%2Fcnoeigfbotrtu89AS3gY%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=e341422e-53e9-43d5-8559-3c32719ac08b" alt="" data-size="original">

If you receive this outcome, it means that the sender is registered by [IMDA](https://www.sgnic.sg/smsregistry/overview) and it is safe to proceed with the interaction. However, please continue to exercise appropriate caution while sharing personal information online.

</details>

<details>

<summary>This looks like spam</summary>

![](https://3160784115-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnpSeWIeWjGurS9MIV8ak%2Fuploads%2FXzbcUy1UVSWpGDgkn4lP%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=44d70aa1-65c5-4a19-af27-6be528ed3d9f)![](https://3160784115-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FnpSeWIeWjGurS9MIV8ak%2Fuploads%2F4JtoRawzPP7qqX6ETeEK%2Fimage.png?alt=media\&token=f1029915-ae71-4e4b-8e2b-5df1582670fc)

If you receive this outcome, it is likely the message is spam such as promotional content, advertisements and any unsolicited communication. In such a case, <mark style="color:blue;">**ScamShield will automatically submit a scam report for you.**</mark>&#x20;

</details>

{% hint style="info" %}
What is the difference between scam and spam?

**Spam** usually comprises advertisements, promotional content and unsolicited communication.

**Scam** usually involves clicking on malicious phishing links, seeking private or sensitive information such as bank account details, providing misleading offers that deceive the recipient into making payments.&#x20;

Please be careful if you receive a message that seems like a scam.
{% endhint %}


---

# Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation

If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://guide.scamshield.gov.sg/using-scamshield/check-for-scams/how-to-check-a-scam-message.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.
