How to use Baloney
Got a message that seems off? Here’s the whole thing, start to finish — it takes about a minute.
Start a check
On the home page, tap “Check a message.” Your first 3 checks are free — no account needed.
Paste or upload the message
Paste the suspicious email, text, or voicemail into the box — or upload a screenshot or photo. Tip: include who it’s from and any link.
Tap “Truth or Baloney?”
Wait a few seconds while Baloney reviews it. You’ll see a spinner so you know it’s working.
Read your result
A plain-English verdict comes first, then the real destination of any links, the warning signs, and clear guidance from the FTC for that kind of scam.
Report it (if you want)
Open “Report this scam.” Step 1: copy the report we’ve already written for you. Step 2: open ReportFraud.ftc.gov and paste it into the “What happened?” box, then submit.
Keep going
After your 3 free checks, subscribe to keep checking without limits — plus saved history, reporting help, and results tailored to the services you use.