Scam library
Every scam is a bad deal in disguise.
Real messages, pinned up as evidence and grouped by who they target. Not sure about one you got? Check a message →
Income seekers
Fake recruiters, task and "boost" jobs, pyramid pitches, crypto-recruitment, fake freelance clients, scams that dangle a job or a return.
- Fake recruiter scams: how to tell a real job offer from a trap
- Is this Meta recruiter email a scam?
- How do I tell if a recruiter email is a lookalike-domain scam?
- Is this "product boosting" work-from-home job a scam?
- Is this MLM "be your own boss" recruitment message a scam?
- Is this crypto "job" that pays in USDT a scam?
- Is this Salesforce recruiter message with a form link a scam?
- Is this OpenAI recruiter message on LinkedIn real?
- Is that Randstad recruiter text legit?
- Is that PUMA recruiter message on LinkedIn legit?
- Is that Publicis recruiter email legit?
- Is this General Motors (GM) work-from-home job offer real?
- I got a video interview invite from a company I didn't apply to, is it a scam?
- A freelance client wants to overpay and have me refund the difference, is it a scam?
- Is the stranger teaching me to invest in crypto a scam?
- Is this Amazon recruiter message about a remote job real?
- Did an Apple recruiter really message me about a remote support job?
- Is this Meta recruiter offering me a remote role legit?
- Is that Microsoft recruiter email legit?
- Is a Netflix recruiter really hiring me as a remote content reviewer?
- Is that NVIDIA recruiter email legit?
- Is this Tesla recruiter message about a remote support job real?
- Is this Coinbase recruiter hiring me for a remote compliance role?
- Is this Deloitte Talent email about a remote analyst role real?
- Is that Accenture recruiter email legit?
- Is this Adecco staffing recruiter offering me a remote data-entry job real?
- Is this ManpowerGroup recruiter offering a remote support placement real?
- Is that Kelly Services recruiter email legit?
- Is that Robert Half recruiter email legit?
- Is this Aerotek recruiter email about a remote logistics role real?
- Is that Insight Global recruiter message on LinkedIn legit?
- Is that Michael Page recruiter message on LinkedIn legit?
- Got a text about a remote Amazon job at $28/hr, is it real?
- A recruiter DM'd me on WhatsApp about a remote Tesla job, is it real?
- Got a text about a remote Netflix job at $30/hr, is it real?
Consumers
Marketplace fake sellers, account-suspension bait, parcel and delivery fees, travel and rental deposits, scams that ride a purchase.
- Is this "pay a small delivery fee to release your package" text a scam?
- Is this marketplace seller who wants to move off-platform a scam?
- Is the "your seller account has been suspended, verify now" message a scam?
- Is an Airbnb host asking me to pay off-platform a scam?
- Is a rental that wants a deposit before a viewing a scam?
- Amazon texted about a suspicious order I didn't place, is it real?
- Amazon says my account is locked and I must verify, is this a phishing email?
- Amazon emailed that I'm owed a refund and must confirm details, is it a scam?
- Apple emailed a receipt for a subscription I didn't buy, is it a scam?
- PayPal says I sent a payment I didn't authorize, is this email real?
- PayPal says my account is limited and I must verify, is it phishing?
- Netflix says my payment failed and I must update my card, is it a scam?
- Netflix texted that my account is suspended, is this real?
- Microsoft Defender emailed a renewal charge, is this a refund scam?
- Geek Squad emailed that my protection plan renewed, is this a refund scam?
- USPS says my package is held for a customs fee, is this a scam?
- UPS says I owe a redelivery fee, is this text a scam?
- FedEx says my package is held pending a fee, is this real?
- Is this USPS text saying my package is held until I pay a fee a scam?
- Is this UPS text asking for a redelivery fee a scam?
- Is this FedEx text about a customs clearance fee a scam?
- Is this DHL 'shipment pending, confirm details' text a scam?
- Is this 'your package couldn't be delivered, confirm address' text a scam?
- Is this 'you won a $1000 gift card' text a scam?
- Is this Walmart survey reward text a scam?
- Is this 'send BTC and we double it' crypto giveaway a scam?
Banks, tax & authorities
Messages posing as your bank, the tax authority, a toll or postal service, or a business platform to make you pay or verify fast.
- Is this "unusual activity on your account, verify now" bank text a scam?
- Is the IRS "unpaid tax, settle today" text a scam?
- Is the Microsoft "your computer is infected" alert a scam?
- Is the "verify your Google Business listing or it will be removed" message a scam?
- Is the E-ZPass "unpaid toll, pay now" text a scam?
- Is this SunPass "outstanding toll" text a scam?
- Is the FasTrak "unpaid toll" text real or a scam?
- Is the I-PASS unpaid-toll text a scam?
- Is the TxTag "unpaid toll" text a scam?
- Is the PA Turnpike toll text asking me to pay a scam?
- Is the "you have an unpaid toll, final notice" text a scam?
- Is a "toll violation final notice" text with a registration hold a scam?
- Is the toll "late fee, pay now or face court" text a scam?
- Is the "u have a unpaid toll pay here" text a scam?
- Is the "your toll bill is overdue" text a scam?
- Is the "final reminder: outstanding toll" text a scam?
- Is the "vehicle registration suspended over unpaid toll" text a scam?
- Is the "you have a toll due, pay here" reminder text a scam?
- Is the "unpaid toll detected, pay to avoid a fine" text a scam?
- Is the "your toll payment failed, update payment method" text a scam?
- Is the "last chance: unpaid toll, license suspended" text a scam?
- Is the "toll enforcement notice, pay to avoid a court summons" text a scam?
- Is the "DMV notice: unpaid toll linked to your license" text a scam?
- Is the "you have 1 unpaid toll invoice, immediate payment required" text a scam?
- I got a text saying my electricity will be cut off unless I pay now, is it a scam?
- Someone called claiming my gas will be disconnected today unless I pay immediately, scam?
- I got a call saying I missed jury duty and there's a warrant unless I pay a fine, is it real?
- I was told my Social Security number is suspended due to suspicious activity, is that real?
- I got a text about student loan forgiveness that needs a processing fee, is it a scam?
- I got a text with a court summons link telling me to respond immediately, is it legit?
- A caller says there's a warrant for my arrest but I can pay to clear it, is this a scam?
- I got a text about an unpaid parking ticket with a payment link, is it a scam?
- I got an IRS email saying I have a refund waiting if I verify my details, is it real?
- I got a text saying my driver's license is suspended unless I verify and pay, is it a scam?
- Someone called saying I need to verify my Medicare card or lose coverage, is it a scam?
- I got a Zelle fraud alert asking if I sent money, is this a scam?
- Venmo texted about an unauthorized payment, is this legit?
- Chase texted "did you make this $X charge", is this a scam?
- Bank of America texted about a charge I didn't make, is it real?
- Wells Fargo texted me to verify a charge, is this a scam?
- Is this 'did you just send $500? verify to stop it' bank text a scam?
- Is this 'your card is locked, reply YES/NO' text a scam?
- Is this text asking me to verify my debit card a scam?
- Is this PayPal 'your account is limited, verify to restore' text a scam?
- Is this Netflix 'payment failed, update billing' text a scam?
- Is this Chase 'your card was used for $320, reply NO to verify' text a scam?
Account takeover
Code-sharing, hacked-friend messages, and fake support or collab offers aimed at creators and page owners, scams that steal the account itself.
- A LinkedIn contact sent me a weird link, is their account hacked?
- Someone asked me to send them a verification code, is it a scam?
- Is this "your page violated a policy" or brand-collab message a scam?
- A friend is messaging asking for money, is their account hacked?
- Is the "I have your webcam footage, pay Bitcoin" email real?
- I got a text that my iCloud is locked, is this an Apple scam?
- Apple wants me to verify my Apple ID by text, is this legitimate?
- Coinbase texted that my account is compromised, is this a scam?
- Coinbase texted me to approve a withdrawal I didn't request, is it fake?
- Is this 'unusual sign-in, was this you? verify identity' text a scam?
- Is this 'you have a new voicemail, click here' text a scam?
- Is this 'your mailbox is full, verify to keep receiving mail' text a scam?
- Is this 'your Apple ID is being used elsewhere' text a scam?
- Is this Amazon 'a $749 order was placed, verify to cancel' text a scam?
Newcomers & family
Scams that target new immigrants, international students, and elderly people through a trusted-sounding family or official voice.
- New in the country, is this "government benefit, confirm your details" message a scam?
- Is a tuition "payment failed, re-submit now" message a scam?
- Is the "Grandma it's me, I need money" message a scam?
- Is this friendly 'wrong number' text that turns to crypto a scam?
- Is this 'it's your boss, buy gift cards' text a scam?
- Is this 'grandma it's me, I'm in jail, send bail' text a scam?
Recovery & refund
Scams that prey on people who were already scammed, promising to recover lost money for an upfront fee.
- Someone offered to recover money I lost to a scam, is that a scam too?
- A firm says it can trace and recover my stolen crypto, is it legit?
- A hacker on WhatsApp says he can hack the scammer and get my money back, real?
- A law firm emailed saying it can recover my lost funds for a retainer, is it a scam?
- A service offered to file chargebacks and recover my money for a fee, legit?
- A government "recovery fund" says I qualify for compensation, is it real?
- After a romance scam, someone offered to recover the money I sent, is that another scam?
- I got a message saying they caught the scammer and I just pay a fee to get my money, real?
Questions people ask
- What is Hunch?
- A calm second look on a message you're not sure about. Paste it and Hunch tells you, in plain words, what it's really asking you to do, and a safer next step.
- Is Hunch a scam?
- No. Hunch is a free tool that helps you check a message you are unsure about. The checker and the browser extension are free, need no account, and do not ask for your personal details. Detection runs on your device, so in the extension and the checker nothing from your message leaves your device. Hunch is an advisor, not a judge: it shows you what a message asks for and a safer next step, and it never charges you to see a warning.
- Is it free?
- Yes. The checker and the browser extension are free.
- Does Hunch store my messages?
- No. In the extension and the browser checker, nothing from your message leaves your device. The two features that do reach a server, the Telegram bot and the email check (check@checkyourhunch.com), work the same way: the message is read on our server to answer you, then deleted. Nothing is stored, and nothing is sent to an outside AI service.
- Do I need an account?
- No account, no sign-up. Paste a message and get an answer.
- Can Hunch catch every scam?
- No, and it won't pretend to. Hunch catches a lot, but no warning is a promise that a message is fine. Always check unexpected requests yourself.
Using Hunch in apps
- Does Hunch work in the WhatsApp app?
- Not in the WhatsApp desktop or phone app. The Hunch extension checks messages in WhatsApp Web in Chrome. Using the WhatsApp app on your computer or phone? Copy the message and check it here, with our Telegram bot, or by email at check@checkyourhunch.com.
- Does Hunch work in the Gmail app?
- Not in the Gmail phone app or a desktop mail app like Outlook or Apple Mail. The Hunch extension checks Gmail in Chrome on the web. Reading mail in an app instead? Copy the message and check it here, with our Telegram bot, or by email at check@checkyourhunch.com.