When something looks suspicious, ask Sam.

Sam is a real phone number you can text. Not an app. Forward anything that looks off and Sam reads it, checks it, and writes back in plain English. Nothing to download. Nothing to install. Just a text.

How Sam works

Text it

Forward a message, paste a link, or describe a call you got.

Wait a few seconds

Sam reads what you sent and checks it.

Get a plain-English answer

Sam tells you whether it\'s safe, and why.

What Sam can check

If you're not sure, send it. There are no silly questions and Sam doesn't keep score.

A text from "your bank" asking you to verify your account.
A link in an email about a missed package or a delivery problem.
A call claiming to be from Medicare, the IRS, or Social Security.
A Facebook or Instagram message from a "friend" asking for help or money.
A pop-up saying your computer has a virus and to call a number.
An invoice or receipt for something you don't remember buying.
Anyone who calls saying a grandchild is in trouble and you need to send money fast.
Anything else that just doesn't feel right.

How Sam answers

Three real examples of what a Sam conversation looks like. Sam keeps it short, says what it knows, and admits when it's not sure.

Example 1: a clear scam

Hi Sam, I got this text from USPS saying I have a package waiting and need to confirm my address. Real?

That one's a scam. Don't click the link. USPS doesn't text you to confirm your address. They just deliver. If you're expecting a package, check tracking at usps.com directly.

Example 2: Sam isn\'t sure

A man called and said he was from Verizon, that my account had a security alert. He left a callback number. Should I call?

I'm not sure on this one. Verizon does sometimes call about security, but the callback-number setup is also a common scam pattern. Don't call the number he gave you. Instead, call Verizon at the number on the back of your bill or on a recent paper statement. That always works.

Example 3: clean message

My daughter forwarded me this from the library. Book hold ready. Looks real but I want to double-check.

Looks legitimate. The link goes to your county library's actual website, and the hold notice is in their normal format. You're good to go pick it up.

What Sam won't do

Sam will never move money. Sam will never tell you to call a phone number out of the blue. Sam will never pressure you to act fast. Sam will never ask for your Social Security number, your bank login, or your passwords, and you shouldn\'t give those to anyone who texts you, including someone claiming to be Sam.

If Sam isn't sure about something, Sam says so and flags it for a real person on the Vaye team to look at. We write back.

Who Sam is for

Sam was built with older adults in mind, because that's where the worst of this is aimed. But the truth is most of us could use a second opinion before tapping a link. If you'd like a calmer way to check before you click, Sam is yours.

If you're setting Sam up for a parent, we made that easy. No account for them to manage, no app for them to install. They just text the number.

Privacy and trust

Sam reads what you forward so it can check it. We keep your conversations so we can improve Sam and so a human can review the tricky cases. That's the whole reason we hold onto them.

We do not sell your information. We do not share it with advertisers. We do not share it with assisted-living facilities, lead-gen networks, or anyone else trying to sell you something. If we ever change that, we'll tell you first, in plain English, and you can opt out.

Full details in our privacy policy.

Try Sam

Text "hi" to (415) 779-7953.

Text (415) 779-7953

Sam will introduce itself and you can go from there. Forward your first sketchy message whenever you like.

Sam is made by Vaye. We build tools for the people who raised us. Read about Vaye →