Frequently asked questions
Short answers to the things people ask most. If you don't see your question here, email us at [email protected].
What can I forward?
Texts, links, screenshots, emails, videos, invoices, charges on a statement, requests from someone who claims to be your boss, anything you're unsure about. If it has words, a link, or an image, Darwin can take a look.
Where will Darwin reply if I email it?
In the same email thread. Forward something to [email protected] and Darwin's response lands as a reply to your message.
Does Darwin always get it right?
No. No automated system is perfect. False positives and false negatives both happen. Darwin is a second pair of eyes; it's not a replacement for your judgment. Always think before you send money, share information, or click a link, even if Darwin gives you the all-clear.
Does Darwin work with all email clients?
Not yet. Right now Darwin works with Gmail. Support for other clients is on the roadmap.
How safe is the link sandbox?
Any link you send Darwin, whether in a text, an email, or a screenshot, gets opened inside an isolated browser environment we control, never on your device. You see what the destination page actually looks like without touching it yourself, and Darwin flags anything that looks like a phishing kit, a credential trap, or a malware drop.
What happens to the things I forward?
We take privacy seriously. We want you to feel safe forwarding anything that feels off, whoever sent it. We don't sell personal data, and we don't share your number or email for marketing. Submissions help improve scam detection for everyone, and identifiable ones are anonymized or deleted within 36 months. Full details are in our Privacy Policy.
Does Darwin train on my data?
No. We don't use your submitted data to train, fine-tune, or otherwise improve our AI or machine-learning models.
How do I stop messages from Darwin?
Reply STOP to any Darwin text to opt out at any time. Reply HELP or email [email protected] if you need a hand. Message and data rates may apply, and message frequency varies with your activity.
How do I delete my data?
Email [email protected] with the subject line "Data Deletion Request". We acknowledge within 5 business days and complete the deletion within 30, subject to the limited exceptions described in our Privacy Policy.
How do I get help or report a problem?
Reach the team at [email protected]. If you found a scam Darwin missed, or got an alert that looks wrong, please send it our way. That feedback is how Darwin gets sharper for everyone.
How can I give feedback?
Email us at [email protected]. Feature requests, bugs, scams we missed, alerts that looked off. We read all of it, and the team is small enough that user feedback shapes the roadmap directly.
What is Darwin Rescue?
If you've already lost money to a scam, Rescue pairs you with a specialist who reviews what happened, builds an evidence packet, and helps you pursue recovery through your bank, card network, or the right government channel. Start at /rescue.
How much does Rescue cost?
A flat $50 per case, charged when you submit. It covers your specialist's case review and your evidence packet. It's not a percentage of your loss, and there are no other charges. If we can't take your case, the $50 is refunded in full, automatically.
Will I get my money back?
We can't promise that, and you should be suspicious of anyone who does, especially for an upfront fee. Card payments disputed quickly have the best odds. Wire transfers, gift cards, and crypto are much harder and often unrecoverable. Your specialist will give you an honest read on your case, and if we can't take it on, your $50 is refunded in full.
How will Rescue contact me?
By email, within one business day of your submission, and by email for the life of your case. We don't handle Rescue cases by phone, and we will never call you asking for money. If someone calls claiming to be Darwin and asks for payment, it's a scam. Report it to us.
How long does recovery take?
It varies. Card disputes often resolve in 30 to 90 days. Bank escalations and CFPB complaints can take longer. Your specialist will set expectations for your case after reviewing it.