Staying safe from scams

Last updated 11 November 2026

Most people on Relay are who they say they are. A few are not. These tips help you spot the ones who are not, and say what to do about them.

Relay will never ask you for

• Your password or PIN.
• A code we emailed you. Those codes are for you to type into Relay yourself, never to send to anyone.
• Money, gift cards or crypto.

The only official account is Relay Support, which has a tick next to its name and only ever writes in its own chat. Anyone else using Relay's name is not us. Please report them.

Common scams

• "Send me the code." Someone asks for a code you've just been sent. That code would let them into your account, or another one of yours.
• Gift cards. Someone asks you to buy gift cards and send photos of the numbers. Nobody genuine is paid this way.
• Crypto and investments. A friendly stranger has a sure way to make money. The returns look real until you try to take your money out.
• "Hi Mum, this is my new number." Someone says they're family on a new phone and need money fast. Call their old number to check first.
• Romance. Someone you have never met in person says they love you, then needs money for a ticket, a fee or an emergency.
• Prizes, parcels and suspended accounts. You've won something, a delivery is held, or an account is locked, and you just need to tap a link. Go to the company's own website or app instead.
• Jobs that pay to like or review things. They pay a little at first, then ask you to pay in to unlock more.

What Relay does

• People you don't know land in Message requests. They can't see that you've read anything, and their links and photos stay hidden until you accept.
• A message request says how long the account has been on Relay. A brand-new account asking for help or money is a warning sign.
• Messages from people who aren't in your contacts are checked on your device for common scam wording, such as asking for codes, gift cards, crypto or bank details. If one matches, a warning shows under it. Nothing is sent anywhere for this.
• Before you open a link from someone who isn't in your contacts, Relay shows you the website it really goes to, and warns you about look-alike, shortened or unusual links.
• New accounts can only message a few people who don't know them each day.
• When several people report or block the same account, it can't message strangers until we have looked at it.
• Names that pretend to be Relay, such as "Relay Support" spelled with look-alike letters, can't be used.
• We email you when your password, PIN or passkeys change, or when your account is signed in on a new device.

If something feels wrong

• Stop replying. You don't owe a stranger an answer.
• Report and block them: open the chat or their profile and choose Report. You can block them at the same time.
• Never send money, gift cards, crypto, codes or photos of your ID to someone you haven't met in person.
• If you shared a code or your password, reset your password straight away (Forgot password on the sign-in screen), then go to Settings, Account & security and sign out every other device.
• If you sent money, contact your bank straight away. They may be able to stop it.

Get help

• In Australia, report scams to Scamwatch and cybercrime to ReportCyber. Elsewhere, contact your local police or your country's consumer protection agency.
• For help with Relay, use Send feedback in the app to reach Relay Support, or email support@relaaay.online.
• If someone is in immediate danger, call your local emergency number.