Cactus

Is this text message a scam?

Paste a suspicious text, email, or chat message. Cactus checks it for the tricks scammers use - urgent threats, fake links, and requests for your information - and explains what it finds.

Frequently asked questions

How can I tell if a text message is a scam?

Watch for urgency, a link (especially a shortened one), a request to verify an account or share a code, and a familiar brand or government name. Paste the message here and we'll point out the scam signs and explain each one.

What is smishing?

Smishing is phishing by text message (SMS). A scammer poses as a bank, courier, or government agency and pushes you to click a link or share personal information. The same tricks show up in chat apps and email too.

I received a scam text - what should I do?

Don't click links or reply. If it claims to be a company you use, contact them with a number you find yourself. In Canada you can forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) and report fraud to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.