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.
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.
What gets sent to the Bot when I report to the police?
When you submit a report to the ScamShield Bot, the SPF will be able to see only the information you have submitted through the ScamShield Bot and the time stamp at which the report was submitted. For example, here is what the SPF can see:
For Message Reports: A copy of the submitted message, the reported sender information, and the channel submitted for the report.
For Call Reports: The caller’s number or ID, info submitted about the call, where the call was received.
Can I use the Bot in other languages (such as Chinese, Tamil, or Malay)?
At the moment, the ScamShield Bot can only reply to users in English. You can report scam messages in non-English languages, but non-English scam reports will not be as easily understandable by the reviewing team, and therefore may not provide sufficient information for determining whether scam or not. Expanding the app and Bot to other languages will depend on user feedback and demand.
How does the Bot identify if a message is likely to be a scam or not?
The ScamShield Bot identifies messages based on whether similar messages, numbers, and URLs have been previously reviewed and blacklisted by SPF. We also gather information from the public and check how many reports there are for similar messages. Lastly, the Bot uses a machine learning classifier to identify if a message is a scam or contains suspicious URLs.