Do banks text you about suspicious activity?
The most-reported text scam looks like a fraud alert from your bank, but it's fake. It might say there's suspicious activity on your account and tell you to call a number. Or to reply “yes or no” to confirm a big purchase (that you didn't really make). But don't do it.
Yes, banks may use text messages to help protect accounts and provide convenient messages to customers. The utilization of text messaging varies from bank to bank, so it's important to understand how yours might reach out to you once you agree to receive texts from them.
Legitimate bank staff typically only contact customers regarding suspicious account activity or to follow up on a previous inquiry. They don't cold call to “confirm” personal information. Any unsolicited contact should raise red flags.
Tip: Stop and verify. While Bank of America may send you a text to validate unusual activity, we will never contact you to request you share a code over the phone or send us or anyone else money, including through Zelle®. Read about social engineering.
Know your money is safe with us.
These alerts are sent in real time to your primary email address. You also have the option to receive them via text message or push notification. There's no need to sign up for always-on security alerts.
- It doesn't come from your bank's short code or number. ...
- It comes from an email address that looks like your bank's address. ...
- It includes strange phrasing and grammatical errors. ...
- The link is suspicious or shortened to hide where it's taking you.
If a customer does something obviously criminal – such as offering a bribe or even admitting to a crime – the law requires you to file a SAR if it involves or aggregates funds or other assets of $2,000 or more.
Transactions conducted or attempted by, at, or through the bank (or an affiliate) and aggregating $5,000 or more, if the bank or affiliate knows, suspects, or has reason to suspect that the transaction: May involve potential money laundering or other illegal activity (e.g., terrorism financing).
Dollar Amount Thresholds – Banks are required to file a SAR in the following circ*mstances: insider abuse involving any amount; transactions aggregating $5,000 or more where a suspect can be identified; transactions aggregating $25,000 or more regardless of potential suspects; and transactions aggregating $5,000 or ...
Bank accounts are typically frozen for suspected illegal activity, a creditor seeking payment, or by government request. A frozen account may also be a sign that you've been a victim of identity theft. Each situation requires specific actions to unfreeze the account.
Do banks use SMS messages?
Marketing and promotions: Financial institutions may use SMS to send promotional offers and special deals to customers. Mobile payments: bank SMS can also be used as a payment method.
Type of Security Alert | Short Code |
---|---|
Credit card | 322632 |
Debit card | 39989 |
Small business credit card | 96264 |
Check fraud | 86006 |
Typically, a push message could be a mobile marketing message or an alert of an event happening in the customer's bank account, such as a large withdrawal of funds from an ATM or a large payment involving the customer's credit card, etc.
- Low balance alert. ...
- Direct deposit alert. ...
- Unusual account activity alert. ...
- Large purchase alert. ...
- Large ATM withdrawal alert. ...
- Debit card alert. ...
- Profile change alert. ...
- Upcoming payment alert.
The text message is unsolicited (scammers will always contact you out of the blue). The text sender has a long phone number (10 or 11 digits). The phone number is “spoofed” (i.e., it looks like it's coming from someone you know or trust). The text includes a link that is most likely shortened or scrambled.
Check your profile in online or mobile banking. Ensure your information is current: email address, primary phone number, and mobile number. Call us at 800-872-2657. We accept relay calls.
A fake alert has misspellings, for example, after the amount, it is CR not cr, and there is no full stop after the name of the bank or NGN before the amount.
If you did interact with the text message at all, such as clicking a link or replying, be sure to call your bank's phone number for fraud or security issues ASAP. To report the phishing attempt to the FTC, simply forward the message to 7726 (SPAM). You can also report the scam using ReportFraudftc.gov.
Carrying property at an unusual hour or location, especially if they are attempting to hide the item. Using binoculars or other devices to peer into apartment and home windows. Driving a vehicle slowly and aimlessly around campus. Sitting in a vehicle for extended periods of time or conducting transactions from a ...
When a SAR is filed, five sections of information are required. First, reporters collect names, addresses, social security numbers, birth dates, driver licenses or passport numbers, occupations, and phone numbers of all parties involved.
How to identify suspicious activity?
high volumes of transactions being made in a short period of time. depositing large amounts of cash into company accounts. depositing multiple cheques into one bank account. purchasing expensive assets, such as property, cars, precious stones and metals, jewellery and bullion.
When Does a Bank Have to Report Your Deposit? Banks report individuals who deposit $10,000 or more in cash. The IRS typically shares suspicious deposit or withdrawal activity with local and state authorities, Castaneda says.
Banks may flag your account for review if transactions exceed certain thresholds, typically involving deposits or withdrawals of $10,000 or more in the United States, due to regulations aimed at preventing money laundering and other illicit activities.
Depending on the situation, deposits smaller than $10,000 can also get the attention of the IRS. For example, if you usually have less than $1,000 in a checking account or savings account, and all of a sudden, you make bank deposits worth $5,000, the bank will likely file a suspicious activity report on your deposit.
FinCEN will take necessary action, escalating the case to the appropriate authorities and law enforcement. While there is no further action required on the financial organization's end, it's best to keep records for a period of time in case the regulatory body requires more information or wants to follow up.
References
- https://www.bankofamerica.com/security-center/avoid-bank-scams/
- https://chargebacks911.com/my-bank-account-is-under-investigation/
- https://www.austrac.gov.au/business/core-guidance/amlctf-programs/suspicious-transactions-identified-your-transaction-monitoring-systems
- https://finance.yahoo.com/news/tell-whether-really-bank-contacting-180024536.html
- https://www.contactmonkey.com/blog/sms-banks-financial-services
- https://www.skynova.com/learn/taxes/cash-deposits
- https://bsaaml.ffiec.gov/manual/AssessingComplianceWithBSARegulatoryRequirements/04
- https://www.investopedia.com/articles/markets-economy/082316/3-reasons-banks-can-freeze-your-account.asp
- https://www.aura.com/learn/fake-bank-text-messages
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMS_banking
- https://www.usbank.com/customer-service/knowledge-base/KB0069493.html
- https://www.fincen.gov/sites/default/files/shared/report_reference.pdf
- https://www.unit21.ai/fraud-aml-dictionary/suspicious-activity-report
- https://www.aura.com/learn/how-to-identify-a-fake-text-message
- https://www.robokiller.com/blog/avoid-bank-of-america-text-scams
- https://www.usnews.com/banking/articles/if-you-deposit-a-lot-of-cash-does-your-bank-report-it-to-the-government
- https://www.cnb.com/personal-banking/insights/bank-text-scams.html
- http://dpss.umich.edu/content/services/report-a-crime/suspicious-behavior/
- https://legal.thomsonreuters.com/en/insights/articles/what-is-a-suspicious-activity-report
- https://www.bankrate.com/banking/checking/mobile-banking-account-alerts/
- https://www.usbank.com/online-mobile-banking/account-alerts.html
- https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/banking/real-or-fake-how-to-avoid-sneaky-sms-phishing-bank-scams/
- https://smartsmssolutions.com/blog/81-tutorial/1370-fake-credit-alert-scam-all-you-need-to-know
- https://www.fdic.gov/regulations/examinations/supervisory/insights/siwin07/siwinter2007-article03.html