Bank of America scam texts: the fake fraud alert
A text that looks like a Bank of America fraud alert, followed by a call from “the fraud department” asking for a code or for you to move money, is a scam.
It usually starts with a text asking if you made a purchase. Reply, and a caller showing the bank’s real number offers to stop the fraud. Then they ask for the one-time code you’re about to receive, or tell you to send money to yourself or a “safe” account with Zelle. Bank of America says it never does either.
Bank of America and Zelle are US only. The same scam runs in the name of every big bank in the UK, Canada and Australia; the steps are the same.
What it looks like
An example written by HARD, not a real message. Real ones change wording often.
Text from +1 (980) 555-0164
BofA Fraud Alert: Did you attempt a Zelle payment of $1,200.00 to Michael R.? Reply YES or NO.
Check the one you got
Paste what you were sent. HARD checks it in this browser with the same rules as the Is this legit? check in its apps. Nothing you paste leaves this page.
How to tell it’s fake
“We’ll never call and ask you to send money using Zelle®”
Bank of America, Zelle FAQs
- The text wants a reply, then someone calls.
- The reply tells them your number is live and that you bank there. The call follows within minutes.
- Caller ID shows the bank.
- Numbers can be faked. The FBI says not to trust caller ID; hang up and call the bank yourself.
- They ask for a code.
- Bank of America says it won’t call or text asking for a security code. Anyone who asks you to read out a code that was just texted to you is trying to get into one of your accounts.
- They tell you to move money.
- To yourself, to a “new” or “safe” account, by Zelle, wire, gift cards or crypto. Banks never ask you to move money to protect it.
- They tell you not to trust the bank.
- Being told not to mention it to the branch, or what to say if staff ask, is the clearest sign of all.
If you clicked, called or paid
- Hang up and call the number on your card.
- Tell Bank of America what happened: what you shared, and any money you sent.
- Ask about a Zelle payment straight away.
- Bank of America says Zelle payments can’t be reversed, but qualifying impostor scams may be reimbursed. Tell them it was an impostor.
- Change your online banking password.
- In the app or at bankofamerica.com, typed yourself, and turn on the strongest sign-in protection it offers.
- Report it.
- Forward the text to [email protected] and to 7726, then report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the FBI at ic3.gov.
If it was your parents, read Look after your parents, and if a card number or password has gone, Breaches explains what each kind of leaked data lets criminals do.
The official way to check
- Open the Bank of America app yourself.
- Any real alert or held payment shows there.
- Call the number on the back of your card or your statement.
- That’s the bank’s own advice, and it reaches the real fraud team.
Someone on the phone asking for money right now? Guides has the two-step answer. More scams by name are on Is this a scam?, and new ones reach the Situation Room.
Questions
Does Bank of America send fraud alert texts?
Banks do send alerts, so the text itself proves little. What gives it away is what follows: Bank of America says it won’t call asking for a security code or ask you to send money by Zelle. Check in the app or call the number on your card.
How do I report a Bank of America scam text?
Forward it to [email protected], then to 7726 (SPAM), and delete it.
Can I get money back after a Zelle scam?
Zelle payments can’t be reversed, but Bank of America and Zelle say certain impostor scams qualify for reimbursement. Call the number on your card quickly and say it was an impostor.
Sources
Sources checked on 7 Nov 2026.
- Bank of America: Report suspicious activity, read 7 November 2026: forward suspicious emails and texts to [email protected], texts to 7726; call the number on your card.
- Bank of America: Zelle FAQs, read 7 November 2026: won’t call for codes or ask you to send money by Zelle; Zelle payments can’t be reversed; qualifying impostor scams may be reimbursed.
- Bank of America: Learn about the latest scams, read 7 November 2026: spoofed numbers, “safe” accounts, requests for codes.
- FTC: Is that unexpected text a scam?, 16 April 2025: fake fraud alerts from a bank’s “fraud department”; contact the bank on a number you know.
- FBI IC3: Account takeover fraud via impersonation of financial institution support (I-112525-PSA), 25 November 2025: fake bank staff ask for logins and one-time codes, then move the money; hang up and call the bank yourself.