How it works

1. Paste the link into the checker directly

2. We’ll scan the site and redirects for threats

3. Get the result, along with guided next steps

Learn how to stay safe

Illustration of a payment card with a phishing hook

Been scammed?

You’re not alone. Find out what your next steps are.

5 min read

Illustration of a globe with a browser window

Report a scam

Find out where and how to report an online scam.

5 min read

Illustration of a phone and laptop showing spam calls

Stay up to date

Follow the Malwarebytes blog to keep on top of the most recent scams.

5 min read

Frequently asked questions about Scam Link Check

Before clicking a link, hover over it to preview the destination URL. If you’re still not sure whether the link is safe, verify it with Malwarebytes Scam Link Checker. You can also install Malwarebytes Browser Guard, a free browser extension that automatically flags suspicious links while you browse. 

Close the suspicious website, don’t enter any personal information, and stop any downloads that may have started. As a precaution, we’d recommend you run a malware scan, and monitor your accounts and devices for any unusual activity. If you’re in the US, report the malicious link to the FTC; in Europe, report it to OLAF.

Scam websites and links often use misspelled domain names, shortened URLs such as bit.ly, unusual characters, or mismatched anchor text and URLs. However, scammers have become better at copying legitimate websites without obvious red flags. If you receive a link that you’re not expecting, pause before clicking. Take a few seconds to verify it with Malwarebytes Scam Link Checker. We’ll evaluate signals such as domain age and history, reputation, and overall technical hygiene, and let you know if a website is safe to visit. 

QR codes can hide malware or phishing links. There’s even a cybersecurity term for QR code phishing: “quishing.” Scammers use QR codes to lead people to scam sites and steal personal information. As with any unknown link, pause and verify the destination before you tap. 

Shortened URLs can be useful for marketing and social media sharing, but they can also hide the final destination and make malicious links harder to spot. Before clicking a shortened URL, preview or expand it with a reputable link checker, such as Malwarebytes Scam Link Checker, so you can see where it leads. 

Check the sender, urgency, and context of the text message. If a text claims to be from your bank or a delivery service, don’t click the link. Open the official app, type the known website URL directly into your browser, or call the number on the back of your card. Never enter login credentials or payment information on a page you reached by tapping a text link. 

Links in emails can lead to malware infections, though it’s usually not the link itself that infects your device. The risk comes from what happens after you click, such as downloading a file, entering credentials, or granting permissions on a malicious site. If you’re not expecting a link, don’t click it. Pause and verify first.

On your phone, press and hold the link to preview or copy it without opening it. If you still can’t confirm where it goes, paste the URL into our link checker before you tap.

No. HTTPS means the connection between your browser and the website is encrypted, but it does not guarantee the website itself is safe. Attackers can get certificates for phishing sites just as easily as legitimate website operators can. A phishing link with HTTPS is still a scam link. 

The database is continuously updated with threat intelligence and user reports.

A malicious link can expose your device to risk, but the infection typically happens through the page or file the link opens. For example, a scam site may prompt you to download malware, enter credentials, or approve permissions. If you’re unsure, don’t click. Verify the link first. 

Yes, it is safe to paste a suspicious link into a link checker as long as you use a reputable tool from a trusted cybersecurity company, such as Malwarebytes. Avoid pasting suspicious URLs into unknown tools or sites that don’t explain how they handle submitted links.

On your computer, hover over the button to preview the link it would open. You can also right-click the button, copy the link, and paste it into the Scam Link Checker to verify whether it is safe to click.