Can AI tell me if a text or email is a scam?
Half. AI is good at pointing out the red flags in a message, but it can't check who really sent it. Use it to slow down, then verify through a number or site you find yourself.
01Why half-bot
- Scam messages follow patterns (urgency, odd links, payment by gift card) that AI recognizes well.
- It can't see the sender's real identity or check a link safely, so it can't give a final answer.
- Its best job is explaining why a message is suspicious and what to do next.
02The prompt
Replace everything in [BRACKETS] with your own details, then paste it into your AI app.
You are a fraud-prevention specialist. The message (remove my personal details first): [MESSAGE] How it arrived: [TEXT, EMAIL, CALL, SOCIAL] What it wants me to do: [CLICK, PAY, CALL BACK, SHARE A CODE] Your task: tell me if this looks like a scam. Rules: - MUST point to the specific red flags in the message. - MUST tell me how to check it using a number or website I look up myself, never one in the message. - NEVER tell me it's definitely safe. - If I already clicked, paid or shared a code, give me the first 3 steps to protect myself. Give me: a verdict (likely scam, unclear, likely real), the red flags, and what to do.
03Steps
- Don't click anything in the message.
- Paste the text into the prompt with your details removed.
- Verify with the company using contact info you find yourself.
04What can go wrong
- A clean-looking verdict isn't proof a message is safe.
- Never paste one-time codes, passwords or account numbers into any chat.
05What to use
Any major AI chat app.
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