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Fake Bank Fraud-Alert Calls and Texts

How it works

You get a text asking if you made a purchase, then a call from someone claiming to be your bank's fraud department. Caller ID may even show your bank's name. They ask for the one-time code sent to your phone, your PIN or your login, or tell you to move your money to a "safe" account or send it to yourself with Zelle. That money goes to the scammer.

Red flags

• A request for a one-time passcode, PIN or password
• Being told to move money to a "safe" or "secure" account
• Being told to send a Zelle payment to "reverse" fraud
• Pressure to act right now while staying on the line

Hang up and call the number on the back of your card or on your bank's official website. Your bank won't ask you to transfer money to protect it, and it won't ask you to read back a verification code.

Got a message like this? Paste it into the free scam checker. It runs only in your browser.

If you already paid

Act fast. The FTC's advice depends on how you paid:

• Credit or debit card: call the card company, report the fraudulent charge and ask them to reverse it.
• Bank transfer or wire: contact your bank or the wire company (such as Western Union or MoneyGram) right away and ask them to reverse the transfer.
• Payment app (Zelle, Cash App, Venmo): report it to the app and to your bank, and ask for a reversal.
• Gift card: contact the company that issued the card, tell them it was used in a scam, and keep the card and receipt.
• Cryptocurrency: crypto payments usually can't be reversed. Contact the exchange you used and report to IC3.gov.
• Cash by mail or courier: report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service or the delivery company and the FTC.
• You gave a password or code: change that password now, turn on two-step verification and check for changes you didn't make.
• You gave your Social Security number: visit IdentityTheft.gov and consider a free credit freeze with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Watch for "recovery" scams. Anyone who contacts you offering to get your money back for a fee is likely another scammer.

How to report it

• FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If your personal information was misused, also go to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.
• FBI: IC3.gov (the Internet Crime Complaint Center), especially if you lost money online or in crypto.
• Your bank or card company: call the number on the back of your card or on your statement, not one from the message.
• Scam texts: forward them to 7726 (SPAM), then delete and block.

Sources: FTC consumer advice (consumer.ftc.gov) and FBI IC3 public service announcements. Last reviewed 2026-10-12.