Tools & online services
Trusted, official resources to protect yourself, recover after fraud, and safeguard your identity—all in one place. We’ve grouped them by region so you can quickly find the right government and consumer services. Step-by-step guides help you protect your phone, laptop, bank account, and credit card from hackers and scams, plus recommended books and free websites for financial literacy and fraud awareness. Stay ahead of fraud, check a link or company before you act, or get help when something goes wrong. Everything here is free to use.
- Step-by-step guides: protect your phone, laptop, bank account, and credit card; plus books and free websites for financial literacy
- Freeze credit, get your free credit report, and protect your identity
- Scam alerts and tips to stay informed and avoid fraud
- Check URLs, phone numbers, or firms before you act
- Report a scam to authorities and get step-by-step recovery help
Need to report a scam or get emergency support? Need help now? lists emergency contacts and official reporting links by country.
How to use these tools
Use the list below to find official and trusted services. In three steps:
- Pick your region — Use the country selector so the list shows services for your area.
- Filter by tag — Click Prevent, For victims, Report, or Free to show only matching tools.
- Open a tool — Click a card to go to the official site or our report page (external links open in a new tab). Expand a card for “Why use this?” details.
Protect yourself from hackers
Simple settings and habits can greatly reduce the risk of someone accessing your devices or accounts. Build financial literacy and fraud awareness with our curated recommended books and free websites.
All links below are for United States. Change the region if needed.
21 tools for United States · 13 official, 8 third party
Identity & credit – tools/services
Freeze credit, get your free report, and protect your identity.
Annual Credit Reportwww.annualcreditreport.com★PreventFreeFree credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
By law you get one free report per bureau per year. Spot errors or signs of identity theft early.FTC – Credit freezeconsumer.ftc.gov★PreventFreeHow to place a credit freeze at the three bureaus.
Freeze is free; blocks new creditors from seeing your file so scammers can’t open new accounts.IdentityTheft.govwww.identitytheft.govPreventFreeRecovery plan, sample letters, and checklist.
Walk-through for identity theft: report, dispute, and restore your identity step by step.IRS Identity Protection PINwww.irs.govPreventFreeTax-related identity theft and IP PIN.
Free IP PIN helps prevent someone else from filing a tax return in your name.my Social Securitywww.ssa.govPreventFreeBlock electronic access and check earnings (SSA).
Free account to block online access to your SSA record and check earnings for fraud.CreditWise (Capital One)www.capitalone.comPreventFreeThird partyFree credit monitoring; monitors TransUnion and Experian, dark web scan.
No Capital One account required. Alerts for new accounts and SSN activity.
Protect & avoid scams – tools/services
Official resources to stay informed and reduce the risk of fraud.
Try these tools to avoid becoming a victim and to fight back against scams and fraud.
- Stay updated on new scams; no sign-up required. Official U.S. government resource.
- Get alerts on trending scams so you can warn others and avoid falling for the same tricks.
AARP Fraud Watchwww.aarp.orgPreventFreeThird partyEducation and resources; free for everyone.
Free for all ages. Helpline, scam-tracking map, and tips to protect yourself and family.CISA – Avoid phishingwww.cisa.govPreventFreeU.S. government tips on avoiding phishing and cyber fraud.
Official cybersecurity guidance; learn how to spot and avoid phishing emails and links.Scamnetic (KnowScam)scamnetic.comPreventThird partyAI-based scam detection and protection; Scan&Score, identity verification, scam education, and live support. Typically offered through banks and partners (paid/subscription).
Real-time scam protection; Scam Score™, identity checks, and scam intervention. Check if your bank or employer offers KnowScam.Norton Genieus.norton.comPreventFreeThird partyFree AI-powered scam detector; paste text or upload screenshots of messages, emails, or links for instant analysis.
Free web tool and mobile app. Covers phishing, smishing, fake alerts, dating scams. From Norton (Genius Group).Sardine Shieldwww.sardine.aiPreventFreeThird partyReal-time scam and fraud protection app; blocks scam calls, phishing links, suspicious messages, and malicious apps.
Privacy-focused; monitors calls, SMS, and browsing. iOS and Android. From Sardine.Truecallerwww.truecaller.comPreventFreeThird partyCaller ID and spam-call blocker; identifies and blocks fraud and spam calls and flags suspicious SMS.
Auto-block spam/fraud calls; SMS fraud detection. Free tier available. Popular globally.ScamProbescamprobe.comPreventFreeThird partyFree AI scam detector; paste messages (email, SMS, DM) for analysis—highlights red flags, fake links, spoofed domains.
No sign-up; paste text and get instant analysis. Covers phishing, urgency tricks, suspicious requests.Malwarebytes Scam Guardwww.malwarebytes.comPreventThird partyReal-time scam detection; AI analysis of texts, emails, URLs, and screenshots. Requires Malwarebytes Premium subscription.
24/7 protection on Windows, Mac, iOS, Android. Included in paid Malwarebytes Premium Security only.
Recover – tools/services
Report fraud and get step-by-step recovery help.
FTC Report Fraudreportfraud.ftc.gov★FreeFor victimsReportReport scams, fraud, and identity theft; get a recovery checklist.
One place to report; you get a personalised recovery plan and checklist. Used by law enforcement.FBI IC3www.ic3.govFreeFor victimsReportReport internet crime (phishing, romance scams, online fraud).
Report internet-related crime; data is used for investigations and trend analysis.CFPB – Submit a complaintwww.consumerfinance.govFreeFor victimsReportComplaints about banks, credit cards, and financial services.
Free complaint process; companies must respond. Helps with disputes and refunds.- Personalised recovery plan, sample letters, and checklist. Official FTC resource.
Report a scam to Scam AvengerScamenger.com★FreeFor victimsReportShare your experience and get a shareable report link.
No sign-up. Get a link to share with others and help warn your community.