Bank fraud-alert text scam: is that “did you make this charge?” real?

Fake “fraud alert” texts pretending to be your bank or Zelle are the single most-reported text scam. Here’s the tell — and a free way to check the link before you tap.

What’s happening

Texts that look like a fraud alert from your bank — “Did you attempt a $1,250.00 Zelle payment? Reply YES or NO” — are the most-reported text scam in the country, according to the FTC and the FDIC. The message impersonates Chase, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Zelle or your local bank and is designed to make you panic about money leaving your account.

There are two moves. In one, the link leads to a page that copies your bank’s login so you “secure your account” — really it harvests your username, password and one-time code. In the other (the “pay yourself” scam), you reply and a fake “fraud department” calls to walk you through a Zelle transfer that actually sends your money to them.

Your bank will never text you a login link, ask for your full password or one-time passcode, or tell you to move money to “keep it safe.” Before you tap the link or call the number in the text, paste the link for an instant risk score and then contact your bank using the number on the back of your card.