Scam texts
Is this text a scam? Checklist
Edited by Richard BarkerChecked 13 October 2026
Tick the warning signs you can see in the text, and the checklist tells you what to do next. If in doubt, do not tap any links: forward the text to 7726, free, and delete it.
The checklist
Where the questions come from
Each question is a warning sign named in official advice: Ofcom’s guide to scam texts (opens in a new tab), the National Cyber Security Centre’s advice on spotting scam messages (opens in a new tab), the government’s Stop! Think Fraud (opens in a new tab) campaign, and UK Finance’s Take Five (opens in a new tab).
We do not give a score or say a text is safe. Scam texts can look exactly like real ones, and a real company can send a text that ticks a box or two. Read more about why we do not give scores.
Questions
Can this checklist tell me if a text is definitely a scam?
No. It shows which warning signs from official guidance are in the text and tells you what to do next. Only the organisation the text claims to be from can confirm whether it is genuine, so contact it using details you already trust.
How do I forward a text to 7726?
The National Cyber Security Centre says to note the sender’s number, then press and hold the message, choose Forward (on iPhone, tap More and then the arrow), enter 7726 and send. It is free.
What if I have already tapped the link?
Ofcom says to contact your mobile provider if you clicked a link or installed something, and to avoid using banking apps on that phone until you know it is safe. If you entered bank details or paid, call your bank or 159 straight away.
Do you see or keep what I tick?
No. The checklist runs in your browser. Your answers are not sent to us or stored. We only count that the checklist was used, with no answers attached.
Sources and checks
This page relies on:
- Ofcom: Types of scam calls, texts and messages
- Ofcom: What to do about a scam call, text or message
- NCSC: Spotting scam messages
- NCSC: Report a scam text message (7726)
- Stop! Think Fraud (UK Government): How to spot a fake text message
- Take Five to Stop Fraud (UK Finance): Protect yourself
- Stop Scams UK: 159 phone number
- Report Fraud (City of London Police): national fraud and cyber crime reporting service
- Police Scotland: Contact us (101 for non-emergencies)
- GOV.UK: Report Fraud, new service from City of London Police (4 December 2025)
Checked on 13 October 2026. Read how reports work. How we check our information. Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will put it right.