Short answer
Look at what the message wants from you, because spelling and grammar no longer give scams away. AI lets scammers write clean, friendly messages in any language. The clear signs are in the request: send money, share a code, click a link, install an app, act fast or keep it secret.
If a message asks for any of those, check it through a channel you already trust before doing anything.
A quick check for any message
- Read it once slowly and ask: what does this message want me to do?
- If it asks for money, a code, a password or a photo of your ID, stop.
- Don't press the link. Open the official app or type the website address yourself.
- Contact the person or company through a number you already have.
- If it is a friend's account asking for money, call the friend to confirm.
- Delete and report the message. You can forward scam text messages to 5656.
Red flags that AI can't hide
- A deadline: "within 2 hours", "today only", "your account will be locked".
- A request for an OTP, PIN or password. No real organisation needs these.
- A link with a strange address, or a short link that hides where it goes.
- An offer that is too good: a prize, a refund, easy money.
- A request to move to another chat app or keep things secret.
- A message that knows a few of your details, which may come from leaked data.
Why the old advice stopped working
For years, people were told to look for spelling mistakes and odd wording. AI chatbots now fix those in seconds, and they can copy the tone of a bank, a delivery company or a government office. They can also personalise each message with your name and town.
The scammer's goal hasn't changed, though. They still need you to give them money, access or information, and that request is where you can catch them.
Make a habit of checking
Agree with your family that nobody acts on a money request without a quick call first. Save the official numbers of your bank and the other services you rely on in your contacts now, so you never need a number from a message.
Common questions
Can I use an AI chatbot to check if a message is a scam?
It can point out warning signs, but don't paste personal details or codes into it. The safest check is still contacting the sender through an official channel.
The message came in the same thread as my real bank messages. Is it safe?
Not necessarily. Sender names can be faked so a scam text lands in the same thread. Treat any link in a text with care.
What if I already clicked the link?
Don't enter any details. If you did, call your bank's official hotline right away, change your passwords and watch your account.
Reviewed October 2026