October 27, 2023
As published in our mid-year report, bank scams were the second-most popular type of robotext in the first half of 2023. Fraudsters stole an estimated $13 billion through text scams and $33 billion through call scams in that time, and they get away with increasingly large sums each year. In many cases, scammers pose as legitimate companies like Bank of America and attempt to steal online banking passwords, account details, and other personal information.
Bank of America text scams can cause financial distress, psychological trauma, and loss of stability for you and your family. Keep reading to learn how to spot and avoid them.
5 Common Bank of America scams to be aware of
Bank scams come in many forms, but they often follow a few popular templates. Familiarize yourself with these five common Bank of America scams so you can avoid their pitfalls.
1. False fraud alerts
In one common scam, the fraudster sends a Bank of America fraud alert text claiming your account has been compromised. They encourage you to transfer your funds to a “safe” or “secure” account, but it’s really the scammer’s own account. If you transfer money to the scammer, you might not be able to get it back. Bank of America will never encourage you to transfer money to a different account.
2. False account suspension
In some cases, scammers claim your account has been suspended due to fraudulent activity. You’ll be prompted to reactivate your account by following the provided link, which will actually send you to a spoofed website or trigger a malware download. Alternatively, the text may ask you to respond with your login credentials. Bank of America does not engage in these practices.
Note: If you’re ever curious about your account standing or activity, you can check on both using the official Bank of America website or mobile app.
3. Account verification scams
Another Bank of America scam requests that you update your information to verify your identity and keep your account. They send a link that takes you to a spoofed website, which asks for personal information like your physical or email addresses, credit or debit card details, or Social Security number. Bank of America will never solicit personal data or ask you to verify your account by clicking a link.
4. Payment confirmation scam
Depending on your custom alerts, Bank of America may send you confirmation messages when you make or receive payments. Unlike scammers, however, they will not ask you to respond “yes” or “no” to confirm or deny a transaction, nor will they have you follow a link to input your personal information. Keep in mind that legitimate Bank of America text alerts always come from verifiable short codes.
5. Payment app transfer scam
Another type of phony account update, payment app transfer scams are fake alerts that indicate you’ve sent or received money using a payment app like Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo. Like payment confirmation scams, they may ask for a “yes” or “no” response and follow up with a malicious link. Instead of trusting these alerts, check your payment apps and Bank of America statement — you’ll likely find no such transfer.
How to identify Bank of America text & call scams
One reason Bank of America is a popular disguise for scammers is that they offer a variety of customizable text alerts. Customers who are accustomed to hearing from the bank may instinctively assume an imposter text is legitimate, making them more likely to fall for the trap. That’s why it helps to recognize Bank of America phone scams in action.
Warning signs of Bank of America scams
All text and call scams come with warning signs. Get to know the common red flags associated with Bank of America scams below.
Unsolicited text messages or calls
In most cases, Bank of America only texts customers who have signed up for text alerts. If you haven’t enrolled in mobile alerts, you shouldn’t receive non-emergency messages. Be careful when dealing with unexpected texts and calls, and never transfer money unless you know and trust the recipient.
Urgent or threatening language
Scammers want you to take action before you realize you’re being scammed, so they may push you to act quickly. They may threaten to suspend your account or charge late fees if you don’t immediately give them the information or payment they request. Real Bank of America representatives won’t rush you or threaten your account.
Requests for personal or financial information
Bank of America has stated they do not ask for personal or financial information via phone call, text message, or email. If you receive an unsolicited call, text, or email asking for sensitive personal details, report it to the authorities before blocking the number.
Suspicious links
Suspicious links are a telltale sign of a smishing scheme. A scammer may prompt you to click a link to reset your password or verify your account. The link actually takes you to a spoofed page that looks like Bank of America’s official website, where the scammer can steal any information you enter. The link may also infect your device with malware that gives scammers access to your data.
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Get StartedLegitimate Bank of America communications
It’s easier to recognize Bank of America scams when you understand how and when the real Bank of America reaches out to customers.
If you opt in to custom alerts, Bank of America may text you regarding:
- Account balances
- Unusual activity
- Credit or debit card use
- New and expiring deals
Text messages from Bank of America will typically come from one of the following short codes:
| Type of Security Alert | Short Code |
|---|---|
| Account restrictions | 85594 |
| Credit card | 322632 |
| Debit card | 39989 |
| Small business credit card | 96264 |
| Check fraud | 86006 |
| Digital banking | 55983 |
| Account takeover | 56433 |
| Zelle payment | 80814 |
You can turn off all text alerts by texting “STOP” to 692632. You can text “HELP” to the same number for assistance.
Bank of America is one of many legitimate businesses scammers use as a disguise. Watch out for scammers posing as other reputable companies, like:
- Citibank
- Netflix
- UPS
- Venmo
- Walmart
What to do if you get a suspicious text or call
An unexpected text or call is only the beginning of a scam. Knowing how to handle suspicious texts and calls can help you protect your private information, money, and identity.
Don’t click any links
Never click the link in an unexpected text message, even if your caller ID claims it’s from a trustworthy number. The link will likely send you to a fake website created by the scammer to steal your Bank of America account details. In some cases, clicking the link triggers a malware download that gives the scammer access to your device. Contact Bank of America at an official number or email address to determine if the text was legitimate.
Don’t provide personal information
Phone scammers attempt to uncover sensitive information like usernames and passwords, bank account details, and Social Security numbers. They use this information to hack into financial accounts and steal identities. Bank of America will never ask for your personal information by text, phone call, or email.
Take screenshots
Screenshots of suspicious texts may be helpful when reporting Bank of America scam texts to the authorities. They may capture the techniques the scammer used, the information given away, and any links to spoofed websites involved in the scam.
Never transfer money if asked
Bank of America will never ask you to transfer money to a different account. Scammers pretend your account has been compromised so you’ll transfer money to a “safe” account, which is really their own. If someone posing as a Bank of America representative asks you to transfer money, call the number on the back of your card and report the scam.
Report the text scam
In addition to calling the phone number on the back of your Bank of America card, there are several other ways to report text scams:
- Email the text to abuse@bankofamerica.com
- Forward the text to Bank of America’s short code, 722669
- Call Bank of America at 1 (800) 432-1000
- Notify the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
- File a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
If you report a text scam immediately, Bank of America may reverse fraudulent charges under their $0 Liability Guarantee program.
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Sign up for a 7-day free trialPreventing Bank of America text message scams
Just one successful text scam can drain your bank account and leave lasting psychological damage. Follow these tips to help prevent Bank of America text message scams and protect your phone from fraudsters.
Beware of suspicious texts and calls
The first step in protecting yourself from scam and spam texts is recognizing when you’re being targeted. If you get a suspicious text or call from Bank of America, call them at a verifiable number to make sure it’s legitimate. Never click links or give away information before confirming you’re interacting with someone you trust.
Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)
Set up two-factor authentication to have a private security code sent to your mobile device or email address when you log in to your account. This extra step adds another layer of security between scammers and your online banking account. Never share your 2FA code via text message, phone call, or email.
Keep software updated
Install updates and new operating systems whenever they become available for your mobile devices. If you use your computer for texting (whether by SMS or other messaging apps), choose a reputable antivirus software to protect your devices from malware and viruses.
Consider scam-blocking apps
One of the best ways to protect yourself from phone fraud like Bank of America text scams is by downloading a comprehensive scam-blocking app like Robokiller. Dedicated third-party apps intercept and block spam texts and scam calls before they can infiltrate your phone.
What to do if you’ve fallen victim to a Bank of America scam
Falling victim to a Bank of America scam doesn’t necessarily mean all hope is lost. If you take action quickly, you may be able to limit the damage.
- Contact Bank of America immediately. It’s crucial to make Bank of America aware of the problem as soon as possible so they can freeze your accounts or close your cards if necessary. If you contact your bank in time, you may be able to protect your money.
- Change your bank passwords. Quickly changing your password is another way you might secure your funds. Change your username and password immediately before scammers change your information and close you out of your own account.
- Monitor your accounts. The sooner you notice fraudulent activity in your Bank of America account, the sooner you can report it. Check your bank and credit card statements regularly to catch suspicious activity right away and potentially have your money refunded.
- Freeze or close compromised accounts. Scammers can use your credentials to empty your bank accounts and open new lines of credit. Don’t wait to freeze your accounts and close your cards.
- File a police report. Phone scams are a crime and should be reported to local law enforcement immediately. If you were the victim of identity theft, you’d need to provide your financial institutions with a police report.
Robokiller: Your trusted ally for robocall & scam safety
Bank scams can have disastrous consequences for your family, your personal finances, and your sense of privacy and comfort. Fortunately, Robokiller is 99% effective in blocking spam calls and scam texts before they make it to your phone.
Here’s a sample of Robokiller’s essential features and real-life results:
- $600+ million in prevented losses to phone scams
- Customizable block and allow lists
- Real-time screening that prevents dangerous scams from reaching your phone
- Unique algorithm based on artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning
Robokiller has what it takes to protect your family from phone scams and help you reclaim your peace of mind. If you’re ready to fight back against Bank of America text scams, start your free 7-day trial of Robokiller today.
FAQS
Does Bank of America ever send real text messages?
Bank of America may send you text alerts from a short code, but they will never ask for personal information via text message, phone call, or email.
How can I report a Bank of America text scam?
If you’ve been targeted by a Bank of America text scam, forward the message to 7726 (SPAM), email it to abuse@bankofamerica.com, or call the number on the back of your card to speak with a representative.
Does Bank of America refund any money stolen by scams?
If you report a Bank of America scam text quickly, you may be able to recover the money that was stolen. Bank of America’s $0 Liability Guarantee program covers unauthorized transactions made with stolen credit or debit cards (or their information).
How can I contact Bank of America's customer support?
You can contact Bank of America directly by calling 1 (800) 432-1000 or the number on the back of your card. You can also schedule an appointment or log in online, access the Help & Support menu, and select Contact us.
