Let customers check messages that use your name.

When a text claims to be from you, customers can check it inside your own app. It runs on the Builders API.

Coming soon Read the API reference →
The text
A text from an unknown number: Northvale Bank, we paused a transfer of $1,240.00. If this was not you, secure your account tonight, with a link to northvale-secure-id.com.
Your app’s answer
The same text checked in the Northvale Bank app: High risk. This text did not come from Northvale Bank, with three reasons.

Example integration.

Carmen runs behind your brand.

On the API. Add a check button inside your app so customers can ask without leaving your screen.

Example integration.

The Northvale Bank app home: balance, then a card, Got a text that says it is us? Check a message. Checked by Carmen, powered by Backgrounder.
Carmen Guardian on a phone: a fake delivery text, likely a package delivery scam, with the recommended next step.
Northvale Protect, a white labelled check: High risk, this text did not come from Northvale Bank, with three reasons.

How fraud losses are paid and reported.

  • 38.4%

    of reported fraud losses were paid by bank transfer.FTC Consumer Sentinel Data Book 2024

  • 4.8%

    of mass-market fraud is ever reported.Anderson, FTC staff research, SSRN 3852323

The text beside them is an example.

It wants a transfer
A text from an unknown number: Northvale Bank, we paused a transfer of $1,240.00. If this was not you, secure your account tonight, with a link to northvale-secure-id.com.

The answer comes back in four fields.

Each field is already written for your customer and ready to show in your own design.

Northvale online banking, Message check: the pasted text, High risk, This text did not come from Northvale Bank, what to do, and four reasons 1 2 3 4
  • 1verdictclean, unknown_fresh, suspicious or malicious. Your app chooses the label.
  • 2headlineThe finding, in under 280 characters.
  • 3recommended_actionWhat to do, in under 500 characters.
  • 4evidence_trail[]Up to six reasons, each weighted 0 to 1.

Example integration.

Links get an answer right away. Messages come back by webhook.

Links answer on the same call. A message queues: you get a job_id and links.result, then your webhook gets the verdict.

The Northvale Bank app, a pasted link answered straight away: High risk. This is not a Northvale website. Registered three days ago.
The Northvale Bank app, a pasted text waiting for its answer: Carmen is reading this message. You can close this screen. We will tell you here when it is done.
POST /api/analyze-contentRequest
{ "content": { "text": "northvale-secure-id.com/verify" }, "options": { "detailLevel": "JUST_THE_FACTS" } }
200 OKIllustrative, trimmed
{ "mode": "sync", "verdict": "malicious", "headline": "This is not a Northvale website.", "recommended_action": "Do not open it or enter any details.", "evidence_trail": [ { "source": "domain records", "signal": "new domain", "weight": 0.91, "observation": "Registered 3 days ago." }, … ] }
POST /api/analyze-contentRequest
{ "content": { "text": "Northvale Bank: We paused a transfer of $1,240.00…" }, "options": { "webhookUrl": "https://api.northvale.example/hooks/carmen" } }
202 AcceptedStraight away
{ "mode": "async", "job_id": "job_7b32", "links": { "result": … } }
Later, to your webhookUrlIllustrative, trimmed
{ "mode": "async", "verdict": "malicious", "headline": "This text did not come from Northvale Bank.", … }

mode is sync, async or informational, so your code never guesses the shape.Example integration.

What Carmen does with a check.

  • No person reads it.

    Only software reads what the customer sends. Nobody at Backgrounder reads it.

  • Your app decides what happens next.

    Carmen returns a verdict, and your app chooses what to do with it.

  • It checks what they send.

    It does not crawl the web for your brand.

  • It works alongside your fraud tools.

    It gives the customer an answer and does not replace any tool you already use.
Ask us about security →

Bring us a text that used your name.

  1. 1We run it through Carmen with you.
  2. 2You pilot one surface, like your app.
  3. 3We give you a price and you decide.

The Builders API is open by request for now. Larger volumes are priced with you.

See API pricing →