Paste a suspicious SMS, WhatsApp, email or link below. We check it against hundreds of scam patterns, from fake refunds and "verify your account" traps to grant scams and beyond. The more people submit, the smarter it gets.
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Lekker Check is a helper, not a replacement for common sense. Your message is sent for analysis to help improve our detection. Always double-check with the real company on their official number before clicking links or sending money.
How it works
We look for the fingerprints that nearly every scam message leaves behind.
Misuse of trusted names
Scammers often act as well-known organisations like SARS, Capitec, FNB, SASSA, Takealot, Eskom and Postbank to trick you.
Dodgy links
Shortened URLs, lookalike domains, weird TLDs like .top and .xyz, and IP-address links are big red flags.
Urgency traps
"Within 24 hours", "account suspended", "final notice". Scammers want you panicked and not thinking.
Money bait
Refunds, prizes, lottery wins and surprise inheritance are classic scam hooks.
Credential grabs
Real banks will never ask for your PIN, OTP, full card number or password by SMS or email.
Grammar and tone
SHOUTING, many !!!, and awkward phrasing often give scams away.
FAQ
Nope, and nothing is. Lekker Check catches the obvious patterns, but new scams pop up every week. When in doubt, phone the company on a number you already know (not one from the message) and ask.
When you check a message, it is sent to our servers for a deeper analysis and stored so we can improve our detection over time. No personal details are attached unless you choose to provide an email address when sending to a human.
Scams are local. A message saying "your SASSA grant is suspended" means nothing to a checker built for the US, but it's one of the most common scams targeting South African pensioners. Lekker Check knows the SA playbook.
Don't panic, and don't be embarrassed. This happens to clever people every day. If you gave away bank details, phone your bank's fraud line immediately (the number on the back of your card). If you sent money, report it to SAPS and your bank. Change any passwords you might have typed in.
Absolutely. Paste any dodgy messages you spot into the checker above and tap "Send to a human" to share them with us. Every submission helps us spot new tricks and improve the checks. Share the site with anyone who might need it.
This notice explains how Lekker Check handles your information in compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA).
What we collect
The message you submit for checking
Your IP address and approximate location (country, city, region)
Your email address, only if you choose to provide it when sending to a human
Basic device information (browser type, operating system)
Why we collect it
To analyse messages for scam patterns and return results to you
To improve our detection by learning from submitted messages
To prevent abuse of the service (rate limiting, bot protection)
To contact you with results if you request it
Legal basis
We process your information based on legitimate interest (protecting people from scams) under Section 11(1)(f) of POPIA. For email contact, we rely on your voluntary consent.
How long we keep it
Submitted messages and analysis results are kept for up to 12 months to improve scam detection. IP addresses are anonymised after 30 days. Email addresses provided for human review are deleted once the review is complete or after 30 days, whichever comes first.
Who we share it with
We do not sell or share your personal information with third parties. Your data is processed on secured servers and protected by Cloudflare.
Your rights
Under POPIA you have the right to: Access your data by providing your reference number. Request correction of any inaccurate information. Request deletion of your data at any time. Object to the processing of your information.
How to request deletion
Every check generates a reference number (e.g. LC-20260415-XXXXX). Enter it below to delete all associated data immediately.