- NordVPN has launched a new free scam checker tool
- Detect if images or messages are fake in almost real time
- Everyone can use it without paying for a NordVPN subscription
Have you recently received a message or image that seems completely genuine, but your gut tells you it’s not safe to click on? If so, you’ll be pleased to know that NordVPN has just expanded its security offering with a new AI-powered scam detection tool that confirms whether it really is a phishing attempt or fraudulent threat.
As part of its fight against cybercrime, the best VPN on the market according to TechRadar reviewers has decided to offer the tool for free, making it accessible to anyone concerned about the risks of online scams.
In fact, there’s no subscription or account required to use it, meaning even your most vulnerable elderly friends or relatives (often the most frequent victims of scams) can stay safe without spending a dime.
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How NordVPN Scam Checker Works
Scams and phishing attacks are growing too fast. AI now makes it much easier to create convincing impersonations of customers or employees, while allowing cybercriminals to automate these attacks at scale.
“Gone are the days when a misspelled email was an obvious red flag,” says Domininkas Virbickas, Product Manager at NordVPN.
Since new AI-based malware threats are capable of fooling even the most tech-savvy users, those who are less familiar with the technology and therefore more vulnerable are particularly at risk.
When offering ransom, NordVPN’s scam checker analyzes text and image messages, looking for suspicious links, phone numbers, and email addresses to identify any signs of malicious intent.
Its built-in AI algorithm identifies patterns commonly used in analytics and phishing attempts, including scare tactics and false urgent alerts that often prompt people to act impulsively with potentially disastrous consequences.
We’ve tested it and can guarantee that it’s very easy to use: you can simply paste a message or upload a screenshot into the designated field on the NordVPN page to receive a verdict in a matter of seconds.
The tool accepts plain text and screenshots in .jpg and .png formats, for a maximum of five email addresses, URLs, and phone numbers per request.
An anti-scam mission
The VPN giant recently drew attention to the extent of today’s online threats by sharing a survey conducted by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance. It highlighted how consumers were defrauded of a staggering $442 billion last year alone, with more than half of adults reporting being victims of scams during that period.
Speaking to TechRadar earlier this year, NordVPN reiterated that protecting its users from online scams is indeed a top priority.
Signs of this commitment have already been evident: its Threat Protection Pro suite, which earned top marks in several phishing tests., has continued to grow in these first months of 2026.
Recent additions include a call protection feature to identify fraudulent calls before you even answer, and a Dark Web Monitor Pro feature that detects potential data breaches dating back several years.
The new free scam checker comes as an added bonus for all those who are not already NordVPN subscribers. Additionally, the tool further builds on NordVPN’s commitment to cyber threat awareness, as the VPN had previously launched a different free service that scans email links for threats in real time.
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