AI-powered scam detection tool Ask Silver now available on the desktop

One year on from the announcement of the partnership with AI-powered fraud detection tool Ask Silver and leading online safety information and advice resource Get Safe Online, a major development to the tool has been announced, further increasing its effectiveness and functionality.

Until now, Ask Silver has been available purely by uploading a screenshot of the text, email or website in question to WhatsApp, whereupon it returned an indication of whether the communication was safe or a ‘red flag’ for fraud.

Now, it is also available via a user’s computer browser. The user is invited to simply drag an image of the suspicious communication into Ask Silver’s Upload Image box, and with the aid of AI, the tool will do the rest. As well as indicating whether fraud is being attempted, the tool also asks the user whether they would like it to submit an anonymous report to the appropriate authority.

Ask Silver can still be accessed via WhatsApp, a very convenient feature for mobile-only users or when out and about. Both versions are free to use.

Yesterday also marked the first anniversary of the introduction of new legislation by the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) whereby paying and receiving banks and payment providers need to jointly refund consumers any money lost to scams up to the value of £85,000. Get Safe Online and Ask Silver stress that people buying and making other payments online need to continue doing so vigilantly to avoid becoming the victim of scams, as there are no guarantees that they will get their money back if defrauded.

Tony Neate, CEO of Get Safe Online, said: “Since the commencement of our partnership with Ask Silver, it has proved time and time again to be a great way for consumers to check on those emails, texts, WhatsApp messages and websites that don’t seem right. Now, the fact that it can be accessed via the desktop with a simple image drag-and-drop will further increase its appeal, including to those who don’t rely so much on their mobile devices.”

Neate continues: “We’ve already added the updated version to our Self-Help Tool Centre, which contains a selection of invaluable tools to help individuals and small businesses to avoid becoming yet another crime statistic.”

Alex Somervell, Co-Founder of Ask Silver, said: “Enabling people to access a scam checker outside online was something we’ve been wanting to do for a while. Consumers are already going to Get Safe Online for tools and educational resources, so they are the perfect partner as we move beyond WhatsApp.

“The drag and drop functionality will make it even easier for people to check suspicious messages and images on the devices they use most, while also always ensuring anonymity.

“Consumers can also report fraud with a single click, making it the easiest way for them to fight fraud, which is exactly what Get Safe Online and Ask Silver want to do.”

Ask Silver can be accessed on computer browsers via www.getsafeonline.org/asksilver or via WhatsApp by signing up for the service at www.ask-silver.com.

Ask Silver has also just been announced as the winner in the Startup Innovation category at The National Cyber Awards, adding further endorsement to its much-needed benefits.