Where does Scam Catcher get its data?

Scam Catcher aggregates data from official US government sources including the FCC Consumer Complaints (CGB) database, FCC Unwanted Calls database, and CFPB Consumer Financial Protection Bureau complaints. This is supplemented with OSINT (open-source intelligence) from public scam reporting databases and community reports from Scam Catcher users.

Does Scam Catcher collect my personal information?

No account is required. Scam Catcher stores lookup records with the queried number, timestamp, and a salted one-way hash of client IP for abuse prevention windows; raw IP addresses are not retained. The site uses Google Analytics, which may set analytics cookies.

What is STIR/SHAKEN and why does it matter?

STIR/SHAKEN is a federal framework that verifies caller ID authenticity. Level A means the carrier fully authenticated the caller. Level B is partial verification. Level C (gateway-only) is common among robocallers and spoofers. Scam Catcher shows the STIR/SHAKEN attestation level when available to help you assess caller legitimacy.

How often is the Scam Catcher database updated?

Government data sources (FCC and CFPB) are ingested daily with a full reconciliation run weekly. Community reports from Scam Catcher users are reflected in real time. OSINT sources are re-scraped on a 7-day refresh cycle for every phone number in the database.

Is This Number a Scam? Free Phone Number Scam Checker

Q: What kinds of scam calls does Scam Catcher detect?

Scam Catcher identifies 21 scam categories including IRS/tax scams, tech support scams, Medicare/Social Security fraud, bank impersonation, auto warranty scams, cryptocurrency fraud, romance scams, identity theft, employment scams, pig butchering schemes, AI voice cloning, student loan scams, utility cutoff threats, prize/lottery fraud, debt collection scams, law enforcement impersonation, subscription traps, and insurance scams.

Q: Why do I keep getting scam calls in 2026?

Phone scams remain widespread in 2026 because scammers use automated dialers and caller ID spoofing to reach millions of numbers cheaply. The FCC receives over 200,000 complaints per year about unwanted calls. Common tactics include IRS impersonation, AI-generated voice cloning, fake bank alerts, and tech support fraud. Use Scam Catcher to check suspicious numbers and the National Do Not Call Registry (donotcall.gov) to reduce unwanted calls.

Scam Catcher is a free tool to check if a US phone number is a scam, robocall, spam, or fraud. Find out who called you using FCC and CFPB government data. No login or account required.

Who Called Me? Check Any Phone Number Instantly

Got a call from an unknown number? Enter it into Scam Catcher to find out if others have reported it as a scam. We cross-reference government complaint databases and community reports to give you an instant answer.

How to Check if a Phone Number Is a Scam

Enter the Number: Type any 10-digit US phone number into the search box. Works with landlines, cell phones, and VoIP numbers.
Instant Analysis: Our system cross-references FCC complaints, CFPB data, OSINT databases, STIR/SHAKEN records, and community reports in real time.
Get Your Verdict: See a clear "Potential Scam" or "Probably OK" verdict with confidence score, scam type, delivery method, and search trends.

Data Sources

FCC Consumer Complaints (CGB) database, updated daily
FCC Unwanted Calls database, updated daily
CFPB Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, updated daily
Public OSINT scam reporting databases, 7-day refresh
Community reports from Scam Catcher users, real-time
STIR/SHAKEN caller authentication data

21 Scam Types We Detect in 2026

Scam Catcher identifies IRS/tax scams, tech support scams, Medicare/Social Security fraud, bank impersonation, auto warranty scams, cryptocurrency fraud, romance scams, identity theft, employment scams, pig butchering schemes, AI voice cloning, student loan scams, utility cutoff threats, prize/lottery fraud, debt collection scams, grandparent/family emergency scams, law enforcement impersonation, subscription traps, insurance scams, package delivery scams, and bank fraud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this phone number a scam?

Enter the US phone number into Scam Catcher to instantly find out if it has been reported for scam calls, robocalls, fraud, or telephone theft. Our database is updated daily from FCC complaints, CFPB consumer reports, and community submissions.

Who called me from this number?

Scam Catcher helps you find out who called you by checking the phone number against FCC complaints, CFPB reports, OSINT scam databases, and community reports. Enter the number that called you and instantly see if it has been flagged as a scam, robocall, or spam caller.

How do I check if a phone number is safe?

Type the 10-digit US phone number into the search box on Scam Catcher and press "Check Number". Within seconds you will see whether the number is safe or suspicious, with a scam risk rating, detected scam types, and a confidence score.

How does Scam Catcher check phone numbers?

Scam Catcher cross-references multiple data sources in real time: FCC consumer complaints, CFPB consumer financial complaints, public OSINT scam databases, STIR/SHAKEN caller authentication data, and community reports. Our scoring algorithm weighs evidence from each source to produce a confidence-rated verdict.

Is Scam Catcher free to use?

Yes. Scam Catcher is completely free with no account required. Simply enter any US phone number and get an instant scam risk report at no cost.

How do I report a scam phone number?

After checking a number on Scam Catcher, you can confirm or deny the scam verdict using our feedback buttons. Your report is added anonymously. You should also report scam calls to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and the FCC at consumercomplaints.fcc.gov.

Why do I keep getting scam calls in 2026?

Phone scams remain widespread because scammers use automated dialers and caller ID spoofing. The FCC receives over 200,000 complaints per year about unwanted calls. Use Scam Catcher to check suspicious numbers and register on the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov.

What should I do if a number is flagged as a scam?

Do not answer or return the call. Block the number on your phone. Report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If you lost money, contact your bank immediately and file a police report.