Phishing & Smishing
Bank Alert Text Scam
Fake fraud alert texts pretending to be from your bank, asking you to confirm transactions or click links to "secure" your account.
Reported Losses
Part of $330 million in bank impersonation losses (2024)
Primary Targets
Bank customers
Last Updated
2026-01-06
Also Known As
Bank Fraud Alert Scam
How Scammers Contact You
How This Scam Works
You receive a text appearing to be a fraud alert from your bank:
"[Bank Name] Fraud Alert: Did you authorize $534.98 at Walmart? Reply YES or NO, or call 1-800-XXX-XXXX"
**Scenario 1 - You reply:** Scammer calls you pretending to be the fraud department and tricks you into revealing login info or transferring money.
**Scenario 2 - You call the number:** You reach a fake call center that sounds legitimate. They "verify your identity" by collecting your banking details.
**Scenario 3 - You click a link:** You're taken to a fake banking site that captures your login credentials.
Red Flags to Watch For
- ⚠️Text asks you to click a link to verify your account
- ⚠️Reply number or call-back number doesn't match your bank's official number
- ⚠️Link goes to a website that's not your bank's official site
- ⚠️Text creates urgency — "Respond immediately"
- ⚠️Asked for information your bank would already have
- ⚠️Message has typos or formatting issues
- ⚠️You don't have an account at the bank mentioned
📝 Real Victim Account
"I got a text saying someone spent $800 at Target on my debit card. I called the number in the text. They sounded professional, verified my address, then asked me to confirm my card number and PIN to 'block the fraudulent card.' The next day, $3,000 was withdrawn from my account."
— FDIC Consumer Alert
How to Protect Yourself
- 1Don't click links in texts claiming to be from your bank
- 2Call your bank using the number on your card or official website
- 3Real fraud alerts from banks let you reply with a simple YES/NO and nothing more
- 4Don't call phone numbers in text messages
- 5Set up fraud alerts through your bank's official app
- 6Know what real alerts from your bank look like
🆘 What to Do If You're a Victim
- 1If you gave login info, change your password immediately
- 2Contact your bank's real fraud department using the number on your card
- 3Enable two-factor authentication
- 4Monitor your accounts for unauthorized transactions
- 5Report to FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- 6Consider a credit freeze if personal info was shared
🔗 Related Scams
Scammers pose as your bank's fraud department claiming suspicious activity on yo...
Fake text messages claiming you have an unpaid toll and must pay immediately to ...
Fake texts claiming USPS, FedEx, or UPS couldn't deliver your package and asking...
📚 Sources & References
Think You've Encountered This Scam?
Use our AI-powered scanner to analyze suspicious URLs, emails, or messages.