All adult members get all the listed benefits. You should also report fraudulent texts or phishing scams to the company. If you received a text message from Bank of America alerting you of a recent transfer or one that requests sensitive information, beware, it could be a scam. Actual text messages from the bank would not be alarming or ask clients to hand over sensitive information. Offered a free product or 'get rich quick' opportunity that seems too good to be true? Market Realist is a registered trademark. The message could be from a scammer, who might say they've noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts they haven't You trust the bank to protect your savings and when fraudsters pose as bank employees, youre more likely to extend that same level of trust to them. Our expert industry analysis and practical solutions help you make better buying decisions and get more from technology. Be wary if you are contacted by investment managers or receive an unsolicited request (via social media, pop-up, text, email or phone call) that presents a great investment opportunity. Offers that promise guaranteed returns, or the chance to get rich quick or double your money are likely a scam. How to Identify a Fake Text Message - Your Complete Guide Read more:T-Mobile data breach and SIM-swap scam: How to protect your identity. Friendly or familial identity theft, Unemployment and government benefits identity theft, Account takeovers (social media, email, etc.). Each spam text message has its purpose. Heres what you can do to protect yourself from text message scams: So, what text message scams should you be on the lookout for?. VIEW ALL PHOTOS. The display of third-party trademarks and trade names on this site does not necessarily indicate any affiliation or the endorsement of PCMag. Was this rep who called me a real Bank of America employee and not a poser, as I'd doubted? Have you noticed an increasing number of random text messages coming into your phone? Receive SMS online for BendigoBank. Think twice before you make any payments through Zelle. The first telltale sign of a fake text message is suspicious linkx. Code: Card temporarily locked. For example, you might be told that theres a warrant out for your arrest due to tax evasion, or that youre eligible for additional stimulus funds. (Photos: KMPH FOX26) A Clovis Man falls victim to a scam after he thought he never would, he says. They may spoof legitimate phone numbers to call or text you to make the request more convincing. Fake bank text messages are a problem consumers should be careful with November 3, 2022, 8:35 AM Have you noticed an increasing number of random text messages coming into your phone? uictoday@uic.edu, Office of Strategic Marketing and Communications, 2023 The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, UIC Social Media Guidelines and Best Practices. Also, never pay a fee or provide personal information such as your SSN, account number, driver license, etc., in exchange for claiming a prize., Related: How To Spot (and Avoid) Publishers Clearing House Scams , If youre out shopping or in immediate need of funds, you could be tempted to try and unblock your card using a link contained in a spam text message. To report spam text messages, forward it to SPAM (7726). The latest Bank of America scams include: Heres an example of a real-life Bank of America scam email: At first glance, you might not assume that this is a fake email. It's important to note that Citizens Bank does text its customers from time to time. If youve received a suspicious text, dont respond, click on links, or call any numbers. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it's from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Be cautious if being pressured to respond immediately - this is what scammers want you to do. The only way to unlock your account is to click on a suspicious link., These text messages usually use the threat of fraudulent activity or a cybersecurity concern to get you to act without thinking. Verify you are sending to a trusted recipient by calling a trusted or verified phone number from a recent bill, receipt or by visiting an official website. She thought she was being diligent by asking questions. Will Your Bank Ever Text Message You? The Rise of SMS Phishing November 17, 2021 Scammers are sending text messages with phoney fraud alerts stating there has been a request to withdraw or transfer a large amount of money from your bank account. Your email address won't be shown publicly. Start 2023 off right by learning how to safeguard your data, devices, and family today. Do the photos have watermarks? These texts may appear legitimate and contain the name of a bank you do business with. Aura monitors your bank accounts, credit file, personal information, and more and alerts you in near real-time about signs of fraud. Protect your bank and credit card accounts by looking out for three fake emails/texts coming from DHL, FedEx, and Apple. PCMag supports Group Black and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media ownerships. How many of these fraud prevention tips are you aware of? Alternatively, you can screenshot the message and caller ID and then forward it to phishing@irs.gov., Related: The 13 Latest Tax Refund Scams To Beware Of . Fake bank text messages are a problem consumers should be careful with Farnoosh Torabi is a financial strategist, host of the award-winning podcast So Money and a bestselling author. Keeping tabs on your financial accounts is critical these days, but how can you be certain an alert from your financial institution is legitimate? To help you learn how, we're sharing the Explainer Series, "The Science Behind Scams", courtesy of Vox and Zelle.Learn more how to pay Zelle safelayer to help you stay secure, Are you taking the right precautions before you buy online? On a recent morning, Bank of America appeared to reach me via text message to notify me of an ill-fated attempt to hack my checking account. Here's a snapshot of the text to which I replied, "No.". As a scam tactic, its deceptively simple and effective.. If youre a Bank of America (BoA) customer, you need to be aware of the latest scams targeting your accounts and finances. "When you get done with what you thought was the right thing and you know everything was taken care of, and all of a sudden, two alerts . Instead, contact your bank via official channels to confirm the status of your account. Maybe. Last year alone, scammers sent out 87.8 billion spam text messages and defrauded victims of over $10 billion [*]. https://www.pcmag.com/news/scammers-are-using-fake-sms-bank-fraud-alerts-to-phish-victims-fbi-says, How to Free Up Space on Your iPhone or iPad, How to Save Money on Your Cell Phone Bill, How to Convert YouTube Videos to MP3 Files, How to Record the Screen on Your Windows PC or Mac, Google Sues to Stop Puppy Scammer From Targeting Consumers, LastPass Employee Could've Prevented Hack With a Software Update, US National Cybersecurity Strategy Points to China as Most Persistent, Active Threat, The Best Security Keys for Multi-Factor Authentication, Meta Tips Steep Price Cut for Its Premium Quest Pro VR Headset, SpaceX Explains Why Starlink Maps Don't Match FCC Broadband Maps, Senators to Zuckerberg: Keep Your Metaverse Away From the Teens, Astronomers Warn About Starlink's Impact on Hubble Space Telescope. PCMag, PCMag.com and PC Magazine are among the federally registered trademarks of Ziff Davis and may not be used by third parties without explicit permission. Save up to 50% on annual plans. As a matter of convenience, many people prefer a text to a . If you receive a message from Bank of America that contains any of the following, this should raise a red flag rather than prompt you to respond to the text: 1. Plus, if the worst should happen, youre covered by a, Filter out text messages from unknown senders. Using the bank's legitimate website or application, the actor instructs the victim to remove their email address from their digital payment app, the FBI said. Therefore, it's best not to click on a link until you can verify its security. While theres almost no way to stop scam texts, you can keep your inbox secure by following a few steps:. Dont fall for sleazy text message scams. How to Identify a Bank Scam to Keep Your Account Safe - Bank of America 5. If you accidentally responded to a scam text or clicked on a link, you could be vulnerable to several different cyber and phishing attacks. 5 ways to identify a fake text message. Have you received text messages from your bank about some suspicious activities? If you have, dont click on any links its a SCAM!Recently weve detected a lot of fake security alerts from well-known banks, including Citibank, Citizens Bank, Wells Fargo, and Chase.Falsely claiming that there are safety issues with peoples accounts, scammers prompt potential victims into clicking on the embedded links that lead to fake login pages of the impersonated banks: Besides using fake login pages, scammers also utilize Zelle in their banking scams. ), Due to irregular activities your Bank of America debit card has been disabled. They may send you an email that appears to be from your real estate agent, title company, or settlement agent/attorney with last minute updates to wiring instructions. Results based on a 2022 mystery shopper consumer study conducted by ath Power Consulting. 2. Authenticator apps are more secure, as they generate a one-time code within the app that expires after a set-time limit usually 30 seconds. Scammers may pose as an employee from a familiar organization, such as Bank of America and say there's a problem that needs immediate attention. If you received a tracking number in the text message, you can always copy and paste it to confirm its legitimacy on the actual website.. You receive an alert that says your account has been temporarily suspended. Call 844-280-8229 now. Scam alert: Watch out for this fake text from your bank - Komando.com Pressured to act immediately with an alarming phone call, email or text that plays with your emotions. Fake Text Message is a tool to create a Fake Text Conversation and a Fake iMessage. Please refer to the actual policies for terms conditions and exclusions of coverage. Fake Bank Text Messages - Western Montana Area VI Agency on Aging Beware of a text scam involving fake bank fraud alerts No matter what reason you're given, never grant device access or download any app at the request of unknown companies or individuals. If you get an SMS message supposedly from your bank about a fraud alert, be wary. There are multiple text messages associated with this scam. Stay updated with smart tax tips to help you file your return, track your refund and get the most money back. Fake text messages (also known as spam texts, phishing texts, smishing, or SMS spam)are texts that aren't sent by the person they claim to be. The sender requests you to send payment through unconventional means such as cryptocurrencies. Call the person, or make contact through a different method to make sure they sent the message.. Offers may be subject to change without notice. And for added protection, consider Auras all-in-one digital security solution., Aura protects your devices from spam text messages, phishing websites, robocalls, and malware and monitors your financial and personal accounts for signs of fraud. Thats the number of spam texts that scammers send out every week [*]., If youre not careful, you can easily become one of their victims. But even clicking on the link could put your device and bank account at risk., Pro tip: Forward all fraudulent texts and emails to Bank of Americas fraud and abuse team at abuse@bofa.com., Fraudsters have turned their focus toward payment apps like Zelle, Venmo, and Cash App because theyre easy to use and treat transfers like cash. To stop you from losing all your money, the fake employee will urge you to use Zelle to transfer all your money to your own personal Zelle account.They then guide you step-by-step into making a Zelle transaction to a Zelle account youre led to believe is your own. To report a suspicious email posing as Citizens, attach the emails received to a new email and send to abuse@citizensbank.com. Good advice being provided by a hacker? She was attempting to steal my money. Scammers often spoof numbers of legitimate businesses to make spam texts appear authentic. That figure is expected to increase to 65.3 in 2022, according to Statista. Be careful when posting personally identifiable information on social media. I followed the instructions on the Bank of America website (after double checking the website was, indeed, the right one) and reset my account information.