Skip to main content
    Step 1 of 5
    Money & Banking
    Beginner
    3 min read 5 stepsJuly 12, 2026Verified July 2026

    How to Spot a Fake Bank Text or App Alert

    Learn the warning signs of fake fraud-alert texts and emails pretending to be your bank, and the safe way to check if a message is real.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Money & Banking
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    3 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    banking scams
    smishing
    fraud alerts
    phishing
    safety

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Look for urgency and threats
    2. 2.Check the sender's number or email address closely
    3. 3.Never click the link in the message
    4. 4.Log in directly and check for real alerts
    5. 5.Report and delete the scam message
    1

    Look for urgency and threats

    ~15s
    Phrases like "your account will be closed in 24 hours," "immediate action required," or "unauthorized charge detected — verify now" are designed to rush you into clicking without thinking. Real bank alerts are rarely this dramatic.
    2

    Check the sender's number or email address closely

    ~15s
    Scam texts often come from a regular cell phone number or a strange email address rather than your bank's official short code or domain. If it doesn't match previous legitimate messages from your bank, be suspicious.
    3

    Never click the link in the message

    ~25s
    Instead, close the text or email completely. Open your bank's official app directly, or type your bank's web address into your browser by hand, or call the phone number printed on the back of your physical debit or credit card.

    Warning

    A phone number included in the suspicious text or email itself cannot be trusted — scammers control that number too. Always use a number you already know is correct, like the one on your card.

    4

    Log in directly and check for real alerts

    ~16s
    Once logged into your bank's real app or website, check your account activity and messages section. If there's a genuine issue, it will show up there. If you see nothing unusual, the text or email you received was very likely a scam.
    5

    Report and delete the scam message

    ~15s
    Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) to report them to your carrier, and forward phishing emails to reportphishing@apwg.org. Then delete the message. You can also let your bank's real fraud department know you received a fake alert using their number.

    You Did It!

    You've finished reading: How to Spot a Fake Bank Text or App Alert

    How well did this guide stick with you?

    Need more help? Book a TekSure tech

    One of the fastest-growing scams involves a text message or email that looks exactly like a fraud alert from your real bank, warning that your account has been "locked" or that a suspicious charge needs to be "verified" right away. The message includes a link that leads to a fake website designed to steal your online banking username and password the moment you type them in.

    These scam messages work because they create urgency and fear — the goal is to get you to click and act before you stop to think it through. Real banks will never ask you to confirm your full account number, password, or one-time verification code by text or email.

    The safest response to any unexpected bank alert is to ignore the link entirely and instead open your bank's official app, or type your bank's web address directly into your browser, or call the number printed on the back of your debit or credit card. Source: consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-recognize-and-avoid-phishing-scams.

    Rate this guide

    How helpful was this guide?

    banking scams
    smishing
    fraud alerts
    phishing
    safety

    Official Resources

    Consumer Financial Protection BureauFTC — Identity TheftAnnualCreditReport.com

    Sources used to create and verify this guide. View all sources →

    ← Previous

    How to Video Call Family and Friends (FaceTime, Google Meet, and More)

    Next →

    How to Use Google Lens to Identify Objects, Text, and Translate Signs

    Still stuck? Let a pro handle it.

    A real person can walk you through this over the phone, anywhere in the US. If we can't fix it, you don't pay.

    Book a Verified Tech How It Works

    Learn more from official sources

    Related Guides

    How to Set Up Mobile Check Deposit on Your Phone

    Deposit checks from your phone using your bank's app — no trip to the branch or ATM required.

    2 min read

    How to Send Money with Zelle

    Send money to friends and family in minutes using Zelle — built into most major bank apps, with no fees.

    2 min read

    How to Use Venmo Safely

    Set up Venmo, send payments to friends, and adjust privacy settings to keep your transactions private.

    2 min read