Scams going around · Text messages

Bank fraud alert text scam

Pretends to be your bank's fraud department. A text that looks like a fraud alert from your bank asks about a big purchase. It asks you to reply YES or NO, or to call a number. If you reply or call, you reach a fake fraud department. It tries to get your password and codes, or to talk you into moving your money.

An example of what it can look like

Not a real message: the details are made up.

(202) 555-0143

FRAUD ALERT from your bank: Did you make a large purchase at an online electronics store today? Reply YES or NO. If this was not you, call our fraud department now at (202) 555-0177.

How to tell

• A text about a big purchase or fraud on your account asks you to reply YES or NO, or to call a number.
• Someone on the phone says they are from your bank's fraud department. The bank name on your phone screen and what they know about you do not prove it.
• The caller asks for your username, your password or a code your bank just sent you. Or they want to control your phone or computer from far away.
• They say your money is at risk and tell you to move it. Some walk you through moving it with Zelle, a bank-to-bank transfer app, into a new account in your name. Some say to keep the call a secret.
• They say your information was used to buy guns. Then they pass you to someone who says they work for the police or another law enforcement agency.

What to do

• Do not reply to the text, tap a link in it, or call the number it gives.
• If someone calls about fraud, write down which bank they say they are from, then hang up.
• Contact your bank yourself. Call the number on the back of your card or on a recent statement, or use your bank's official app.
• Never read a code to a caller, let a caller control your phone or computer, or move money because a caller tells you to.
• Talk it over with a friend or family member you trust before you do anything a caller asks.

If you already tapped, paid, called or replied

1. Call your bank right away, using the number on the back of your card. Tell them what you shared or sent.
2. If money left your account, ask the bank whether it can stop or reverse the payment.
3. Change your bank password. If you use that password anywhere else, change it there too.
4. If you let a caller control your phone or computer, tell your bank that too.

How to check for real

Call your bank at the number on the back of your card or on a recent statement. Or reach it through its official app or website. Do not use a number from the text or from the caller. Do not trust the top search results either, because scammers buy ads so their fake numbers show up first.

Where to report it

• Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Tell your bank about the text or call, using the number on the back of your card or in your banking app.
• If someone got into your bank account, file a complaint with the FBI at www.ic3.gov and include the words "Account Takeover".

Free guides that go with this

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Where this comes from

Written from these official warnings, checked 2026-09-25. Lantern is not part of any organization named on this page.

• FTC: How to handle unexpected calls that claim your money is at risk
• FBI IC3: Account takeover fraud by criminals posing as bank support staff
• FTC: Top text scams of 2024 (fake fraud alerts)
• FTC: Do you use payment apps like Venmo, CashApp, or Zelle? Read this