I’ve been helping people with debt since 1994, and the one constant in three decades is this: scammers never stop coming up with new ways to take your money.
They prey on fear. They chase hope. They prey on people who are already struggling and desperate for a solution. And the worst? By the time most people realize they’ve been scammed, the money is gone.
That’s why I built the Scam-O-Meter.
What is the Scam-O-Meter?
It is a free assessment tool that can help you identify warning signs for you make a decision. You answer questions about your situation and the tool checks your answers against official warning signs published by federal agencies.
8+Situation types
FederalAgency Resources
This is not my opinion. Every red flag in the tool comes directly from guidelines published by the FTC, FBI, CFPB, SEC, and FINRA, with citations so you can verify them yourself.
What situations can you control?
The Scam-O-Meter covers the most common pitfalls I see people fall into:
- Debt counselors — Promises to settle your debt for pennies on the dollar
- Credit repair services — Claims to be able to remove accurate negative items
- Collection agencies — Aggressive callers demanding immediate payment
- Investment opportunities — Too good to be true returns without risk
- Romance scams — Online relationships that result in money requests
- Government impostors — Calls claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security, etc.
- Vacancies – Remote work options that require upfront costs
- Other situations – Anything that doesn’t feel good
How it works
- Select your situation from the drop-down menu
- Answer the questions honest about what you are told
- View your results on a spectrum from ‘little concerns’ to ‘many warning signs’
- Get guidance about next steps based on what the tool found
The whole process takes about two minutes.
Why I built this
Every week I get emails from people who have been scammed. They paid thousands to a debt relief company that did nothing. They sent money to someone they met online. They gave their social security number to a caller posing as a member of the government.
By the time they contact me, the damage has already been done.
I wanted a tool that could help people for they become victims. Something simple. Something free. Something based on actual federal guidelines, not just my opinion.
The best time to spot a scam is before you hand over your money, not after.–Steve Rhode
What the results mean
After you complete the assessment, the Scam-O-Meter will show you:
- How many red flags match your situation
- What specific warning signs were activated
- Recommended next steps based on your results
✓ Few worries
- Few if any red flags were detected
- Still do your own research
- Trust but verify
✗ Many warning signs
- Several red flags match
- Proceed with extreme caution
- Consider walking away
What to do if you see red flags
If the Scam-O-Meter shows warning signs, I recommend the following:
- Slow down. Scammers create urgency. Legitimate opportunities can wait.
- Do more research. Search for the company name plus ‘scam’ or ‘complaints’.
- Check the BBB. Look for patterns in complaints, not just the rating.
- Talk to someone you trust. A second opinion can save you thousands of euros.
- Report it. If you have already lost money, file a report with the FTC and your attorney general.
The tool is free: use it
There is no catch. No email required. No upselling. Just a tool to help you make better decisions.
If it helps one person avoid losing their life savings to a scammer, it was worth building.
Try the Scam-O-Meter now →
Frequently asked questions
Is the Scam-O-Meter really free?
Yes. No payment, no email registration, no obligations. I built it to help people, not collect leads.
Where do the warning signs come from?
Every red flag in the tool comes from official guidance published by federal agencies: the FTC, FBI, CFPB, SEC, and FINRA. Quotes are provided for you to verify for yourself.
Can the tool definitively tell me if something is a scam?
No. The tool identifies warning signs based on federal guidelines, but the final decision is up to you. Many warning signs indicate a higher risk, but only you can decide whether to proceed based on your research.
What should I do if the tool shows many warning signs?
Slow down and do more research. Check online for complaints, research the company with your attorney general, and talk to someone you trust before making a decision.
Can I use this for any situation?
The tool covers debt relief, credit repair, debt collection agencies, investments, romance scams, government impostors, job opportunities, and general situations. If your situation doesn’t fit into these categories, select ‘Other’ for common scam warning signs.
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