Is this a scam?
A call, a message, an offer you cannot quite place. Answer twelve questions and count the red flags — steadier than going on a feeling, especially when someone is rushing you. Nothing is uploaded; the verdict goes into the link, so you can send it to the person you are worried about.
What each red flag rests on
| Red flag | Basis |
|---|---|
| Money now, a code, secrecy, extreme urgency | The core mechanics of impersonation fraud. Public safety guidance is consistent: hang up, call back on a number you already had, never share verification codes |
| Claims to be a government agency, a bank or a big company | Impersonating government or business in commerce is prohibited under the FTC's Impersonation Rule, effective 1 April 2024 — but the rule does not stop the call, so verify independently |
| Recorded or synthetic-sounding outbound call | AI voices count as artificial or prerecorded voices under the TCPA (FCC Declaratory Ruling, 8 February 2024) and need the same consent as any robocall |
| A chatbot or video that will not confirm it is AI | In the EU, Article 50 of the AI Act requires disclosure of AI interaction and of deepfake content from 2 August 2026; machine-readable marking follows on 2 December 2026 |
| Guaranteed returns, "risk-free", pay to join | Classic investment-fraud markers; investment fraud is the largest reported loss category for older adults in the FBI IC3 2025 report |
Sources: FCC 24-17 · FTC Impersonation Rule · Regulation (EU) 2026/1744 · FBI IC3 annual reports. Not legal advice. Already paid? Do this first.