The scam checker assesses the scam risk of an online shop or a sales listing by analysing certain risk factors that are typical of scams. The tool uses an extensive database of identified scam signs from various online platforms and compares them with your answers.
Scam checker
Answer the questions below, and we will assess how likely it is to be a scam. This tool helps you recognise suspicious online shops and listings.
How does the scam checker work?
How it works
Instructions
- Choose a platform - Click the online platform where you have come across a suspicious listing or deal
- Answer the questions - Each platform gets its own set of questions tailored to the scam types on that platform
- Review the result - You get a risk assessment in per cent and action recommendations
What the risk score levels mean
High risk (70-100%) - Todennäköisesti huijaus, suosittelemme välttämään kauppaa
Medium risk (40-69%) - Epäilyttäviä piirteitä, ole erityisen varovainen
Low risk (0-39%) - Todennäköisesti luotettava, mutta käytä silti tervettä järkeä
Please note
The scam checker can never be 100% sure of its assessments. It is based on statistical probabilities and identified scam signs. A seller or online shop with a low risk assessment can still be a scam. Likewise, an object that has received a high risk assessment can sometimes be completely honest.
Use the checker as one tool among others in your decision-making, but always trust your own judgement too. If something seems too good to be true, it usually is.
Choose an online platform
Results:
The most common warning signs of a scam
The scam checker asks platform-specific questions, but the same warning signs recur in almost all scams. Once you learn to recognise them, you often notice a suspicious deal even before the checker:
- The price is too good to be true. A product that is clearly cheaper than the market price is the most common lure.
- The seller rushes the decision or creates a sense of urgency, for example by referring to other buyers or a time-limited offer.
- Payment is requested outside the platform, for example by a direct bank transfer, a gift card or a separate payment link.
- The seller asks for online banking codes, card details or personal details in a message or via a link.
- The profile is new, there are no reviews or they seem artificial.
- The listing's language is poor, or the images are clearly copied from elsewhere.
How to check an online shop's or a seller's trustworthiness yourself
The checker gives a direction, but you can also confirm the matter yourself in a few minutes:
- Search the online shop's name and the words "scam" or "experiences". Others' warnings are often found immediately.
- Check whether the company's name, business ID and address are on the website. Their absence is a bad sign.
- See which payment methods are offered. A trustworthy shop offers card or invoice payment, not just a bank transfer.
- Do a reverse image search on the product image. If the same image is found on the genuine manufacturer's or another seller's page, the image has been copied.
- Make sure the address bar has the correct web address. Scammers often use an address that resembles the genuine one but is slightly different.
What to do if you suspect a scam
If the checker or your own judgement gives reason to suspect something, act as follows:
- Do not pay and do not give out your details; stop the deal immediately.
- Report the listing or profile to the platform in question, so that others avoid it too.
- If you have already paid or given out your card details, contact your bank immediately and ask for the payment to be stopped.
- File a police report if you have lost money. Save all messages and screenshots as evidence.