Scammers impersonate banks by phone, text, email, and fake pages. These are the tells, so you are never fooled.
Fake “fraud department” calls and texts. The message claims a problem and pushes you to act fast. Remember: a real bank will never ask you to move money, buy gift cards, share a one-time code, or give your full password. Caller ID can be faked to show your bank’s name, so it is not proof.
Fake login pages. A text or email link opens a page that looks just like your bank to steal your login. How to tell:
- You got there by clicking a link (real trouble never needs that).
- The web address is a look-alike, not your bank’s exact address.
- Your password manager will not autofill, because it only fills on the real site. That is a strong sign the page is fake.
Fake overdue-fee or locked-account texts. “Your account is locked, verify here.” Do not tap. Open your app directly instead.
A quick example. A text says “Bank security: unusual login, confirm here [link].” You do not tap. You open your bank app yourself. No alert there. The text was a fake, and you gave it nothing.
What to do:
- Never trust caller ID or a link; reach your bank only by the app or a typed address.
- Remember the “never” list: no moving money, no gift cards, no codes, no full password.
- If a page will not autofill or the address looks off, leave it. (Our free Spot the Scam course goes deeper.)
General education, not financial advice.