Nervous or anxious about scams?

With Backgrounder™, you can verify messages, people, businesses, and online interactions fast so you and your family can stay safe from scams and fraud. And when you need that extra support, our human security experts are always there to help remediate... just be sure.

I'm Carmen, I can check if something is a scam. Try me for free!

Ask Carmen™ and try for free!

Hey Carmen, is this text a scam?...

See how it works

If something seems off, start here.

If you've been targeted or spotted something suspicious, share the details so we can investigate and help you navigate next steps.

Think You Have Been Scammed?

Submit screenshots, numbers, messages, or links. We'll review it and help determine the risk.

See something suspicious?

Share anything you've seen online or offline. Get verification in under 30 seconds.

Worried about a loved one?

If someone you know lost money or shared personal information, tell us what happened. We'll guide you through safe next steps.

Just be sure!

A young woman having a supportive conversation with her parents
Backgrounder logo×Give an Hour logo

Healing doesn’t stop at fraud detection

Harm doesn’t stop with financial loss. People deserve a safe space to take care of their wellbeing and address the emotional harm caused by fraud and scams. This is why Backgrounder and Give an Hour teamed up to provide free peer support to victims of financial fraud and their loved ones.

Why checking early matters

0%

of scams start with a message from someone pretending to be trustworthy

0%

of adults take at least one step to verify scams. However, these methods are often ineffective

0%

of scam attempts use reused photos or phone numbers

$0M

Business email compromise causes over 100 million dollars in daily losses worldwide

Find help for the most common scam types

Backgrounder™ checks people, messages, offers, and situations across every major scam category.

Romance Scams

When someone seems perfect too fast, check the truth.

Investment Scams

Big returns shouldn't require blind faith.

Business Email Compromise

Fake wire instructions, vendor invoice fraud, CEO impersonation.

Online Shopping and Timeshare Scams

Fake stores, upfront fees, and counterfeit sellers are everywhere.

Tech Support Scams

Real tech support never pressures you or demands gift cards.

Impersonations and Fake Accounts

Same photos. Different motives. Check the real identity.

Bank and Advance Fee Fraud

If you have to pay to get paid, it's a scam.

Sextortion and Online Extortion

One message can spiral fast. Get help right away.

IRL and Local Scams

Verify contractors, landlords, buyers, or anyone you meet offline.

A family member thought they were on the phone with their bank and it seemed off. Backgrounder helped us quickly confirm it was someone impersonating their bank — we didn’t transact. We almost lost $50,000.

— Landon Winkelvoss

Why I started Backgrounder

I do a lot of shopping online these days and scams are everywhere. Backgrounder regularly identifies fraudulent stores so I can shop in peace and not waste time.

— Pam Leopold

Backgrounder’s first customer

Frequently asked questions

Still have questions?

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Please chat with our friendly team.