THE GEN C:\> SCAN BANK-FRAUD-ALERT
Fake Bank & Amazon Fraud Alerts
A text or call about suspicious activity or a big purchase you didn't make. It may ask you to reply YES or NO, or call a number. The fake "fraud department" then pressures you to move money or share a verification code.
"Chase Fraud Alert: Did you attempt a purchase of $1,249.00 at Best Buy? Reply YES or NO."
Red flags
- Unexpected alert asking you to reply or call a number in the message
- Told to move money to keep it safe
- Asked for a verification code
What to do
- Don't reply or call back the number in the message.
- Contact your bank through its app or the number on your card or statement.
- Never move money to "protect it" and never share a verification code.
Where to report it
Got a message like this right now? Paste it into the free Scam Radar checker to see the red flags. It runs in your browser and never saves your message.
Know someone who'd fall for this?
Scammers count on people not talking about it. Send this guide to a parent, a friend, or the family group chat.
Related scams
Keep your family safe
Copy a ready-made prompt from the Staying safe prompts, like setting up a family code word or locking down your accounts. Want an AI helper you can trust? Try the AI Finder quiz.
Sources
- FTC Data Spotlight: Top text scams of 2024 (Apr 14, 2025)
- FTC: Got a call about fraud activity on your bank account? It could be a scammer (Jun 2024)
Last checked: 2026-10-19. General education, not legal or financial advice. Sample messages are made up.