What is ScamShield?
ScamShield is a free mobile app designed to help people in Singapore avoid scams. It checks, filters, and blocks scam calls, texts, messages, and weblinks. Users can enter suspicious content or upload screenshots, and the app will tell them if it looks like a known scam. The app uses AI to compare the content with scam reports from law enforcement and other users. ScamShield was built by Open Government Products with support from the Singapore Police Force and the National Crime Prevention Council.
Features & Benefits
- AI scam message checker: Enter a phone number, link, or message to see if it matches known scams.
- Screenshot detection: Upload screenshots from SMS, WhatsApp, or Telegram to check for scam messages.
- Call blocking: Blocks calls from numbers flagged for illegal activity.
- SMS filtering: Filters out scam messages before they reach your inbox.
- Scam reporting: Submit scam messages and numbers directly from the app to help build a scam database.
- Scam email database: Search from over 10,000 flagged scam email addresses with evidence.
- URL safety check: Instantly verify any weblink’s safety before clicking.
- Highlight-to-scan: Highlight any suspicious text on websites to scan for known scams.
- Real-time alerts: Get alerts if others have reported the same scam number or message.
- Government and business verification: Confirms if the source is from a trusted registered entity.
Real-world applications
ScamShield is especially useful for people who regularly receive suspicious messages or calls. For example, if someone receives a message claiming to be from their bank asking for account details, they can paste the message into the app. ScamShield will quickly scan the message and let the user know if it’s been linked to past scams.
Parents can install ScamShield on their children’s phones to help them detect and avoid common online scams, especially in messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. If the kids get an unknown link or a strange call, they can check it before responding.
Small business owners often receive fake invoices, phishing links, or impersonation attempts. By using ScamShield’s screenshot and URL checking features, they can prevent financial loss and protect sensitive business info.
It’s also a helpful tool for older users or less tech-savvy individuals. With just a few taps, they can scan suspicious content or ask family members to help them submit scam reports. This collective data helps the authorities stop scam networks faster.
