We'd rather you trusted us because you understand exactly what this tool does, and doesn't do, than because of a big claim we can't back up. This page explains, in plain English, how your score is generated, what goes into it, and where its limits are.
ScamCheck UK is an AI-assisted analysis tool that compares the details you provide, such as how you were contacted, what was promised, and how payment was requested, against patterns commonly seen in known UK scams. It then produces a risk score out of 10 and plain-English guidance on what to do next.
It is not a regulator, a law enforcement body, or a substitute for independent verification. It cannot confirm with certainty whether a specific person, firm, or opportunity is fraudulent. Only the courts, the police, or the relevant regulator can make that determination. ScamCheck UK is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or acting on behalf of the FCA, the Financial Ombudsman Service, Action Fraud, or any other regulatory or law enforcement body.
Every submission is assessed against a set of indicators drawn from patterns we've seen consistently across known UK scam types, investment fraud, romance scams, impersonation scams, crypto fraud, and more. Each indicator contributes to an overall score out of 10:
Where you've opted to use AI-powered analysis, these same categories are assessed by an AI model using a structured framework, with the output reviewed against the same scoring bands shown below. No single factor determines the result; it's the combination and weight of indicators that produces the final score.
| Score | Band | What it suggests |
|---|---|---|
| 0–3 | Low Risk | Few or no warning signs detected. Still worth confirming the firm independently before sending any money. |
| 4–6 | Suspicious | Multiple characteristics commonly seen in scams. Worth pausing and verifying thoroughly before taking it further. |
| 7–10 | Strong Scam Indicators | A high concentration of factors that closely match known UK scam patterns. We'd strongly advise against sending money until independently verified. |
Notice that even at the highest band, we describe the result as "strong scam indicators" rather than stating definitively that something is a scam. That's a deliberate choice: only a full investigation can establish that with certainty, and we never want our wording to overstate what an automated tool can responsibly claim.
The categories, scoring weights, and guidance frameworks behind ScamCheck UK were shaped directly by Daniel Kwaku Manu's experience handling thousands of consumer cases at the Financial Conduct Authority and the Financial Ombudsman Service. That's what we mean by "human-verified": the framework the AI works within was built and is reviewed by someone who has seen these patterns play out in real cases, not generated from generic templates alone.
Scammers constantly adapt their tactics, and a low score today doesn't mean a firm or approach will remain legitimate tomorrow. A high score is a strong signal to stop and verify, not an official finding of fraud.
Our analysis can only work with what you tell us. Incomplete or inaccurate details will affect the accuracy of the score.
Nothing on ScamCheck UK constitutes regulated financial advice, legal advice, or a recommendation to take or not take any specific action. For decisions about your money, speak to an FCA-authorised adviser; for suspected fraud, contact your bank and Action Fraud.
Throughout your results and our guidance, we point you toward independent, publicly available UK sources so you can verify everything yourself rather than relying on our word alone: