In today's digital age, text messages are a common way for banks to communicate with their customers. However, with the rise of sophisticated scamming techniques, it's becoming increasingly difficult to distinguish legitimate messages from fraudulent ones. If you're a Bank of America customer, it's crucial to know how to identify real texts from fake ones to protect your financial security.
Step 1: "I just received a text from Bank of America. Is it real?" - Let's get to the bottom of this together!
The first thing you should do when you receive any text message claiming to be from Bank of America is to pause and analyze. Don't react impulsively by clicking links or calling numbers provided in the text. Scammers thrive on urgency and fear. Take a deep breath and go through the following steps carefully. Your vigilance is your first and best line of defense.
Step 2: Examine the Sender Information
This is often the most telling sign of a scam.
Sub-heading: Check the Short Code or Number
Legitimate Bank of America texts usually come from specific, short numeric codes, not a regular 10-digit phone number or an email address. Scammers often use long numbers or email addresses to send their texts.
- Bank of America's Official Short Codes: Bank of America uses various short codes for different types of alerts. Some common ones include:
- 322632 (credit card security)
- 39989 (debit card security)
- 96264 (small business credit card)
- 86006 (check fraud)
- 55983 (banking security)
- 56433 (account takeover)
- 80814 (Zelle)
- If the text comes from a different, unfamiliar number or an email address (e.g., "b_o_f_a_support_line@comcast.net"), it's highly likely to be a scam.
Sub-heading: Look for Generic Sender Names
Scammers might try to use generic sender names like "BankofAm" or simply "Alerts." While some legitimate messages might have concise sender IDs, be wary if it doesn't clearly state "Bank of America" or a recognized short code.
Step 3: Analyze the Message Content
The actual text of the message can reveal a lot about its authenticity.
Sub-heading: Urgency and Threatening Language
Scammers often use high-pressure tactics to make you act without thinking. They might claim your account is suspended, locked, or that there's suspicious activity requiring immediate action to prevent financial loss.
- Examples of scam phrases:
- "(Fraud) Alert: Your BofA ATM/Debit card has been suspended. Please call 1-870-***-**** to verify."
- "Due to irregular activities your Bank of America debit card has been disabled. Please log in and review recent transactions at {URL}. Failure to verify recent activities may result in account closure."
- "Alerts: Due to new online updates your online banking has been temporarily blocked to stop fraudulent use. Please visit at {URL} to opt out of message alerts."
Sub-heading: Requests for Personal Information
Bank of America will NEVER ask you for sensitive personal or financial information via text message. This includes:
- Your full Social Security number (SSN)
- Your ATM or debit card PIN
- Your online banking username or password
- One-time passcodes (OTPs) that you didn't initiate
- If the text asks you to "verify" or "confirm" any of this information by replying to the text or clicking a link, it's a scam.
Sub-heading: Grammatical Errors and Poor Phrasing
While not always present, typos, grammatical errors, awkward phrasing, or unusual capitalization can be strong indicators of a scam. Legitimate banks typically have a professional communications team that ensures their messages are error-free.
Sub-heading: Unsolicited Messages about Accounts You Don't Have
If you receive a text about a Bank of America account and you don't even have an account with Bank of America, it's an immediate red flag and definitely a scam.
Step 4: Beware of Links and Attachments
This is perhaps the most dangerous aspect of text scams.
Sub-heading: Hover Over or Carefully Inspect Links
Never click on a link in a suspicious text message. If you're on a smartphone and can't hover, do not click.
- If you must examine a link (e.g., if you're on a computer and can safely hover your mouse over it without clicking), look for:
- Shortened URLs (Bitly, TinyURL, goo.gl): Scammers often use these to hide the true destination of the link.
- Misspellings of the official domain: Look for subtle errors like "https://www.google.com/search?q=bankofamerlca.com" or "bankofamerica.net" instead of "bankofamerica.com".
- Links that don't belong to Bank of America's official domain: The URL should clearly start with something like "
www.bankofamerica.com - Bank of America will not send you links that redirect to pages asking for sensitive login credentials.
Sub-heading: Never Download Attachments
Legitimate bank communications rarely, if ever, include attachments in text messages. Attachments can contain malware that compromises your device and steals your information.
Step 5: Verify Independently (The Golden Rule)
This is the most crucial step for confirming legitimacy.
Sub-heading: Use Official Contact Methods
If you are unsure about a text message, do not use any phone numbers or links provided in the suspicious text itself.
- Instead, independently verify by:
- Calling the official Bank of America customer service number found on the back of your debit/credit card, on your official bank statements, or on Bank of America's official website (
www.bankofamerica.com - Logging in to your Bank of America online banking account directly through the official website or the Bank of America mobile app. If there's a legitimate issue with your account, you will see an alert or notification there.
- Never search for "Bank of America customer service" on a search engine if you suspect you've clicked a bad link. Always use a known, trusted source.
- Calling the official Bank of America customer service number found on the back of your debit/credit card, on your official bank statements, or on Bank of America's official website (
Sub-heading: Check Your Bank of America Mobile App
The Bank of America Mobile Banking app is a secure way to receive alerts and manage your accounts. If you have security alerts enabled, you'll receive push notifications for legitimate activity. Check the app for any corresponding alerts related to the text you received.
Step 6: What to Do if You Suspect a Scam
Taking action is vital to protect yourself and others.
Sub-heading: Do NOT Reply or Click
Do not reply to the text message, even if it says "Reply STOP to opt-out." Replying confirms to the scammer that your number is active and responsive, making you a bigger target for future scams.
Sub-heading: Forward to Bank of America
Forward any suspicious Bank of America-related text messages to abuse@bankofamerica.com. Include the sender's number and a copy of the message itself. This helps Bank of America track and combat these scams.
Sub-heading: Report to Your Mobile Carrier
You can also report spam texts to your mobile carrier by forwarding the unsolicited message to 7726 (SPAM). This helps your carrier identify and block malicious numbers.
Sub-heading: Report to Authorities
Consider reporting the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at DoNotCall.gov and file a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Step 7: Ongoing Vigilance and Prevention
Stay ahead of scammers with these proactive measures.
Sub-heading: Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
Always enable 2FA on your Bank of America account and any other financial accounts. This adds an extra layer of security, requiring a code from your phone or another device in addition to your password.
Sub-heading: Regularly Monitor Your Accounts
Check your bank statements and online transaction history regularly for any unauthorized activity. Report anything suspicious immediately to Bank of America's fraud department.
Sub-heading: Keep Your Contact Information Updated
Ensure your contact information (phone number, email address) with Bank of America is current. This allows them to reach you quickly for legitimate security alerts.
Sub-heading: Educate Yourself
Stay informed about the latest scam trends. Bank of America's security center on their website is an excellent resource for learning about common fraud schemes.
By following these steps, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to Bank of America text message scams and maintain the security of your finances. Remember, when in doubt, always err on the side of caution and directly contact Bank of America using official channels.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to identify a Bank of America text message about a suspended account?
Look for generic greetings, requests for personal information (like your full SSN or PIN), and suspicious links. Legitimate BofA texts won't ask for this info via text and usually come from short codes. Always verify directly through the official BofA app or website.
How to verify if a Bank of America text about unusual activity is real?
Check the sender's short code against known BofA codes. Do not click any links. Instead, log in to your Bank of America online banking or mobile app directly to check for any alerts or unusual activity notifications there.
How to report a fake Bank of America text message?
Forward the suspicious text to abuse@bankofamerica.com. You can also forward it to your mobile carrier by sending it to 7726 (SPAM).
How to tell if a Bank of America text asking for a security code is legitimate?
Bank of America will send security codes (OTPs) if you initiate a login or transaction. They will never call or text you asking for that code. If you receive an unsolicited code or a request for one, it's a scam.
How to recognize common Bank of America scam text patterns?
Look for urgency, threats of account closure, requests to "verify" sensitive information by clicking a link, shortened URLs, and messages from regular 10-digit phone numbers or email addresses.
How to find the official Bank of America customer service number for verification?
Always use the number on the back of your Bank of America debit or credit card, on your official bank statements, or the "Contact Us" section of the official Bank of America website (
How to enable security alerts for Bank of America?
Log in to your Bank of America online banking or mobile app, navigate to the "Alerts" section, and customize your preferences to receive security alerts via push notifications or email.
How to protect yourself from Bank of America smishing (SMS phishing) scams?
Never click on links in suspicious texts, never reply to them, enable two-factor authentication, and always verify any urgent requests by contacting Bank of America directly through official channels.
How to differentiate between a legitimate BofA short code and a fake one?
Legitimate BofA short codes are typically 5 or 6 digits long and consistently used for specific types of alerts (e.g., 322632 for credit card security). Scammers often use random numbers, longer numbers, or email addresses as senders.
How to check for fraud on your Bank of America account after receiving a suspicious text?
Log in directly to your Bank of America online banking or mobile app and review your transaction history and statements for any unauthorized activity. If you find anything, contact BofA's fraud department immediately using their official phone number.
