How does the phone scam checker work?▾
Type any phone number into the lookup box above. We check it against ScamGuard's crowdsourced scam-number database — built from thousands of community reports plus our own AI investigations. You get a risk score, the most likely scam category, and recent comments from previous victims. If the number isn't in the database yet, our AI analyses the calling pattern and any message content you share to give you a fast preliminary verdict.
What types of phone scams can it detect?▾
Robocalls, SMS phishing (smishing), WhatsApp impersonation, bank or SARS / IRS spoofing, fake delivery couriers, recovery scams, romance bait, one-ring 'wangiri' callbacks, fake job offers, and verification code (OTP) hijacking attempts.
Does the phone scam checker work for international numbers?▾
Yes. ScamGuard normalises every phone to international E.164 format, so a local number like 0860102043 and its international form +27860102043 share the same report page. The country and region are detected automatically and we support numbers from every country.
What if the phone number isn't in the database yet?▾
Our AI still grades it: the country code, network, calling pattern, and any text content (SMS, WhatsApp screenshot, voice transcript) are run through ScamGuard Intelligence. You'll get a verdict in seconds. Your check also helps protect the next user — if you confirm it's a scam, the number is added to the public database.
Is the phone scam checker free?▾
Yes — your first check is free with no signup required. After that you can create a free account, which unlocks more checks and saves your investigation history. Heavy users can top up credits for unlimited deep AI investigations and screenshot scans.
Can I report a scam phone number?▾
Yes, and we strongly encourage it. Every report makes the database stronger. Use the report form on any number's page, or just forward the suspicious message to ScamGuard on WhatsApp — our AI will classify it and add it to the public registry once confirmed.
What is a one-ring 'wangiri' scam?▾
Wangiri (Japanese for 'one ring and cut') is a callback fraud where scammers call you from an unusual international number and hang up after one ring. If you call back out of curiosity, you're connected to a premium-rate number that charges you up to $20 per minute — money that flows straight to the scammer.
How can I tell if a caller is impersonating my bank?▾
Real banks never ask for your full PIN, OTP, or for you to install remote-control apps like AnyDesk or TeamViewer. They will not threaten you with immediate arrest or account closure. If in doubt, hang up and call the number on the back of your card — never the number the caller gives you.
Does ScamGuard work on iPhone and Android?▾
Yes. ScamGuard runs in any browser and there is also a WhatsApp bot you can chat with directly — just forward the message or share the number and you get a verdict back in seconds.