Fake bank and fraud-alert texts

What it can look like

Red flags

• A follow-up call asks for a code, your PIN, your password or your full card number.
• They ask you to move money to a “safe account” or to “yourself” through Zelle.
• The link goes to an address that isn’t your bank’s real website.
• They tell you not to visit a branch or tell anyone.

What to do

1. Don’t tap the link. Don’t call a number from the text.
2. Open your bank’s app or type its real website address yourself, and check your account there.
3. Or call the number on the back of your card. Your real bank will help.
4. If someone calls “from the bank”, hang up and call that card number yourself.

If you already paid, clicked or shared a code

Don’t panic, and don’t blame yourself. Act quickly, one step at a time.

• Moved money or sent a payment? Call your bank right away on the number on your card. Fast action gives the best chance.
• Gave a code or password? Call your bank and change your password on the real site.
• Tapped a link and typed details? Treat it like the two cases above.
• Report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM), a free number most U.S. carriers use.

How Gmork Scam Guard helps

On your computer, Gmork Scam Guard checks sign-in pages and warns you when a page pretending to be your bank isn’t on your bank’s real address. It doesn’t read the text messages on your phone. On your phone, the rule is the same: use your bank’s app or the number on your card.

See what Gmork Scam Guard warns about and what it keeps private.

Questions people ask

Is replying YES or NO dangerous?

Replying tells the scammer your number is active and starts the follow-up call. It’s better to check in your bank’s app instead.

The text came from a short number. Doesn’t that make it real?

No. Scammers can send texts from many kinds of numbers. Always check in the app or with the number on your card.