I’ve tried it out and would love to provide you with some feedback!
We’ll love to hear your comments, questions, and suggestions at: go.gov.sg/scamshield-bot-feedback
Top Questions From Citizens
How does the ScamShield app work?
The app filters incoming calls and SMSes from unknown contacts, including overseas numbers. ScamShield uses a combination of an on-device algorithm and information provided by the Singapore Police Force (SPF), such as blacklisted numbers linked to scams, to determine if a call or SMS is a scam or not. When you receive an incoming SMS from an unknown contact, ScamShield will determine if the SMS is a scam using an on-device algorithm. For iOS, it filters the messages to a junk SMS folder. For Android, a notification is sent to users to notify them that a scam message has been received. Scam calls and SMSes detected by the algorithm or reported by the public will be sent to National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) and SPF for collation. This keeps the app updated and will help protect others from such scam calls and messages. For your privacy, ScamShield does not filter calls and SMSes coming from a contact known to you.How do I know that the app is working?
The app is designed to work in the background to protect you from scam calls and SMSes. To check if ScamShield is working, iOS users may view filtered SMSes on their phone's junk SMS folder. For Android users, a notification is sent to users if a scam SMS has been received.
Should I still download the ScamShield app?
We highly recommend you download the ScamShield app so that you can protect yourself from scam calls and scam SMSes coming from confirmed blacklisted scammers.
I think my number has been wrongly reported on the ScamShield Bot. Who can I get in touch to get it removed
If you think that your number might have been blocked or reported as a scam number, write in to [email protected]. The SPF team will also be reviewing all reports and will not blacklist any contacts or numbers that are not involved in scams so be rest assured that an incorrect report will not be flagged as scam by the SPF.
Will the ScamShield Bot be available on Telegram?
We started the Bot with WhatsApp as it is the most popular messaging platform in Singapore. We may consider other messaging platforms like Telegram, but are currently focusing our efforts on the WhatsApp Bot to ensure it is successful.
Will the ScamShield Bot be able to read my other WhatsApp messages?
No, the Bot will not be able to read your other WhatsApp messages.
I have the ScamShield app, should I use the Bot or the app to report from now on?
You can use both!
We want to increase the ease of reporting for users and as such, we do not intend for one reporting channel to take over another. You can either report on the ScamShield App or the ScamShield Bot, depending on which is easier for you.
We also encourage users to add the Bot on WhatsApp and download the App, so that you easily check and reports scams on the Bot while receiving protection from scam SMS and calls via the App.
What happens to messages and numbers that I’ve reported to the Bot?
When you report a scam:
Your reports are sent it to the Singapore Police Force to review.
When the SPF blocks suspicious numbers, the ScamShield app will then detect scam SMSes from these numbers, and block their calls.
Your report also help others spot scams whenever they check for a scam.
Why do I still receive scam calls or messages, after I have installed the ScamShield app?
The nature of scams change frequently as scammers change their tactics. This may lead to scam SMSes or calls getting through as ScamShield’s in-App algorithm takes some time to detect these new scam trends. The ScamShield team seeks your help to report any new scam messages or calls on the ScamShield app that were not detected by the App, in order for us to keep our products up to date to fight scams better. By reporting scam messages and calls that were not detected by the ScamShield App, you help to keep the community safe from scams.