Skip to main content
    Step 1 of 5
    Online Banking
    Beginner
    3 min read 5 stepsMay 3, 2026Verified May 2026

    How to Set Up Text and Email Alerts From Your Bank

    Bank alerts send you an instant text or email whenever money moves in or out of your account — the easiest way to catch fraud fast.

    At a Glance

    Category
    Online Banking
    Difficulty
    Beginner
    Read Time
    3 min read
    Steps
    5
    Topics covered
    bank alerts
    text alerts
    fraud detection
    notifications

    In this guide (5 steps):

    1. 1.Log in and find Alert Settings
    2. 2.Confirm your phone number and email on file
    3. 3.Turn on transaction alerts
    4. 4.Set up a low balance alert
    5. 5.Test your alerts
    1

    Log in and find Alert Settings

    ~15s
    Open your bank's website or app and log in. Look for "Alerts," "Notifications," or "Account Alerts" in the settings or profile menu. It may also be under "Security" settings.
    2

    Confirm your phone number and email on file

    ~22s
    Before setting up alerts, verify that your mobile phone number and email address on your bank account are current. If they are outdated, update them first — otherwise alerts will go to the wrong place.

    Warning

    If you recently changed your phone number and haven't updated it with your bank, do that now. Your bank uses this number for both alerts and security verification.

    3

    Turn on transaction alerts

    ~15s
    Enable alerts for: any debit card purchase (or purchases over $25), any ACH withdrawal or transfer, any deposit received, and any time your balance drops below $100 or another threshold you choose. Set the delivery method to Text (SMS) for the fastest notification.
    4

    Set up a low balance alert

    ~22s
    Choose a balance threshold that gives you a safety cushion. If your minimum comfortable balance is $500, set the alert for $600 — that way you have warning before things get critical. The bank will text you the moment your balance dips below that number.

    Quick Tip

    Quick Tip: A low-balance alert can prevent overdraft fees by giving you time to transfer money before you accidentally overdraw.

    5

    Test your alerts

    ~15s
    After saving your alert settings, make a small purchase with your debit card. You should receive a text message within 30-60 seconds. If you do not, check your spam folder (for email alerts) or verify your phone number is correct in the bank's settings.

    You Did It!

    You've finished reading: How to Set Up Text and Email Alerts From Your Bank

    How well did this guide stick with you?

    Need more help? Book a TekSure tech

    Bank alerts are automatic notifications your bank sends to your phone or email whenever specific activity happens on your account. They are free, and they are one of the best tools available to catch fraud early.

    With alerts turned on, you get a text message within seconds any time: money is deposited into your account, a debit card purchase is made, your balance drops below a set amount, a large transaction occurs (over a dollar amount you choose), or a bill payment goes out.

    If you receive an alert for a transaction you didn't make, you know right away — not a month later when your statement arrives. Quick reporting dramatically limits how much you could lose to fraud.

    Most major banks let you customize alerts in detail. You can choose to be notified by text, email, or push notification (a notification through the bank's app). You can set thresholds — for example, only alert me when a transaction is over $50, or alert me any time my balance drops below $200.

    Setting up alerts usually takes about 10 minutes inside your bank's website or app. Once configured, they run automatically forever unless you change them.

    (Source: FDIC Consumer News, fdic.gov/resources/consumers/consumer-news)

    Rate this guide

    How helpful was this guide?

    bank alerts
    text alerts
    fraud detection
    notifications

    ← Previous

    How to Dispute an Incorrect Charge on Your Bank Account

    Next →

    How to Use Zelle to Send and Receive Money Safely

    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 Online Banking for the First Time

    Setting up online banking lets you check your balance, pay bills, and transfer money from home.

    5 min read

    How to Deposit a Check with Your Phone Using Mobile Check Deposit

    Mobile check deposit lets you add a check to your bank account by taking a photo with your phone.

    5 min read

    How to Keep Your Bank App and Online Account Safe

    Your bank app holds sensitive financial information. These practical steps help you protect your account from fraud, phishing, and unauthorized access.

    5 min read