Someone Claiming to Be My Bank Called Me. What Should I Do?
Learn how to handle an unexpected call claiming to be your bank without giving a scammer your information or money.
What’s happening?
An unexpected caller may claim to be from your bank and say there is fraud, a suspicious transaction, or a problem with your account. The caller may know your name or mention a real transaction, which can make the call sound convincing.
Caller ID can be spoofed, so the name or phone number shown on your screen does not prove who is calling. A real bank may contact you about account activity, but you should verify an unexpected call independently instead of trusting the caller’s story.
How these scams work
- Caller ID spoofing: A scammer can make a call appear to come from a bank or another familiar number.
- Information gathered elsewhere: A scammer may know your name, address, or other basic information from public or previously exposed sources.
- A fake fraud story: Scammers often create urgency by claiming someone is using your account or that money is about to be lost.
- A legitimate bank call: Sometimes a bank really does contact a customer. That is why you should verify the call through a trusted channel rather than assuming either way.
What you should do
- Do not trust caller ID alone. A familiar bank name or phone number on your screen does not prove the caller is actually from your bank.
- Do not give an unexpected caller sensitive information. Do not provide your password, PIN, full card number, or other sensitive information simply because the caller says there is an emergency.
- Do not share a one-time security code with the unexpected caller. A code may be legitimate, but that does not make an unsolicited caller trustworthy. Never read a code aloud just because the caller asks for it.
- Do not move money to “protect” it. A caller who tells you to transfer money to another account, buy gift cards, send cryptocurrency, or otherwise move your money for “protection” is giving you a major scam warning.
- Hang up and contact your bank yourself. Use the phone number on the back of your debit or credit card, a trusted statement, or the bank’s official website or app. Do not use a number the suspicious caller gives you.
- Check your accounts. Look for unfamiliar transactions and alerts. If you shared information, tell your bank exactly what you shared so they can advise you on the appropriate next steps.
Stop here
Stop the conversation immediately if the caller pressures you to act quickly, threatens you, asks for a password or one-time code, requests remote access, or tells you to move money.
If you already shared account information, gave someone a security code, allowed remote access, or sent money, contact your bank through an official channel as soon as possible. If you believe your identity or other accounts may also be affected, secure those accounts through trusted channels as well.
Still having trouble?
You don’t have to figure it out alone.
LoTyde Tech Assistance provides friendly, patient technology help for residents throughout Indiana County and surrounding communities.
If you received a suspicious call and aren’t sure what happened, we can help you understand what you saw or were asked to do and help you take the next safe step.
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