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.

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.

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.

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.

Filed under: Banks, tax & authorities

Your bank doesn't text you a link to "verify."

Fake bank alerts, tax debts, toll and postal fees, "verify your business" calls, messages that borrow an authority's voice to make you act fast. Paste it here first.

Add Hunch to Chrome, free

Check a message

Or try a real one:

The exhibit

EXHIBIT · CHECK BEFORE YOU ENTER YOUR PASSWORD.

Received via: SMS EN

ALERT: unusual activity detected on your account. Verify your identity within 60 minutes to avoid a temporary freeze: secure-bank-verify.exampleunexpected domain, verify where it really leads

Illustrative example of the pattern, not a real message someone received.

Is this "unusual activity on your account, verify now" bank text a scam? →

EXHIBIT · CHECK BEFORE YOU ENTER YOUR PASSWORD.

Received via: SMS EN

IRS Notice: our records show an unpaid balance. Settle today to avoid a warrant and legal action. Pay here: irs-settle.examplenot Irs's real domain (irs.gov)

Illustrative example of the pattern, not a real message someone received.

Is the IRS "unpaid tax, settle today" text a scam? →

EXHIBIT · CHECK BEFORE YOU ENTER YOUR PASSWORD.

Received via: Email EN

Microsoft Security Alert: your computer is infected and your account is at risk. Verify your account within 30 minutes to avoid suspension: ms-support.examplenot Microsoft's real domain (microsoft.com)

Illustrative example of the pattern, not a real message someone received.

Is the Microsoft "your computer is infected" alert a scam? →

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.