ScamLens — Features and limitations

What ScamLens does

ScamLens gives you a calm second opinion before you tap, pay, or reply. It reviews links, QR codes, pasted messages and screenshots using a rule engine and on-device intelligence, then shows a clear risk level with the reasons in plain English.

You see the real destination domain before anything opens, exactly why it looks suspicious, the safer next step, and one-tap UK reporting guidance. It is educational and honest — ScamLens cannot guarantee safety and never opens links by itself.

Four ways to check

Paste a link or message

Delivery texts, HMRC "refunds", bank alerts and marketplace messages — get a clear risk level with reasons in plain English.

Scan a QR code safely

See exactly where a QR code leads before anything opens. Built for parking meters, menus and mystery stickers.

Share from Safari or Messages

Send a suspicious link straight from Safari, Mail, Messages or WhatsApp into ScamLens via the share extension.

Check a screenshot

Import a screenshot of a dodgy text or email. ScamLens reads it on your device and highlights the red flags.

What you see

A clear risk level: Low risk, Caution, High risk or Critical
The real destination domain, shown before anything opens
Why it looks suspicious — look-alike addresses, hidden destinations, urgent payment language
The safer next step, such as using the official app instead
One-tap UK reporting: 7726, NCSC, 159, Report Fraud and more
Plain-English guides to scams circulating in the UK right now

Built for the UK

ScamLens knows the scams Britons actually receive: parcel redelivery fees, HMRC "refunds", bank impersonation and safe-account fraud, parking QR stickers, Winter Fuel Payment texts, eVisa fee demands, marketplace courier tricks, and more — with the correct current UK reporting route for each.

Scam text? Forward it free to 7726. Suspicious email? Send it to report@phishing.gov.uk. A call about your bank account? Hang up and dial 159. Lost money? Report to Report Fraud (reportfraud.police.uk) — or Police Scotland on 101.

Private by design

Checks run entirely on your iPhone or iPad — messages and screenshots are never uploaded
No account, no ads, no analytics, no third-party SDKs
History stays on your device; delete it any time
App Store privacy label: Data Not Collected
On-device AI explanations on supported devices; fully functional without it
Only network use: optional scam-pattern content updates (no identifiers sent)

Completely free

Every feature is free. There are no ads, subscriptions, or in-app purchases.

Checks are unlimited. That includes QR previews, screenshot checking, full history with search, technical details, Helper mode for explaining a result to family, verdicts, safer next steps, UK reporting guidance, and the full scam library.

Sharing a result is a text summary only. ScamLens does not export PDFs.

How ScamLens works

Paste a message, scan a QR code, share a link, or import a screenshot.
ScamLens analyses it on your device using UK scam patterns and URL rules.
Review your risk level, evidence, safer next step and reporting options.
Use Helper mode to explain a result clearly to someone else, if needed.
Browse the Learn tab for guides to current UK scams and how to report them.

Important notes

ScamLens is an educational safety tool. It helps you spot common scam warning signs but cannot guarantee that any link, QR code, message or website is safe. HMRC, Royal Mail, Evri, DVLA, NHS, bank names and other organisations mentioned are referenced for identification only — ScamLens is independent and not affiliated with them.

Reporting shortcuts connect you to third-party services we do not operate. You remain responsible for your own decisions, including any link you choose to open.