What Are Suspicious Activity Alerts from Your Bank and How to Respond
When your bank warns you about suspicious activity on your account, it's a critical alert indicating possible fraud or unauthorized transactions. This can include charges that occur halfway around the world or transactions that deviate significantly from your usual spending patterns. However, it's essential to be wary of phishing scams with similar messages.
Scam Alert
I receive numerous text messages and emails nearly every week from banks where I do not even have an account. Please be extremely cautious about these unsolicited communications. These messages are often phishing scams designed to trick you into revealing your personal information.
NEVER click on any links provided in the text or email messages. Scammers often use malicious links to steal your information or infect your device with malware. Additionally, do not call any phone numbers or link provided in the message. Scammers can hijack these calls and use them to obtain your private details.
Contact Your Bank Safely
If you receive a suspicious activity alert, the best course of action is to contact your bank directly. Do not rely on any numbers provided in the message; instead, use the contact information on the back of your credit or debit card.
Speak to a bank representative, explain what you have received, and ask them to verify if it is a scam or if you do have suspicious charges on your account. If the alert is legitimate, the representative can guide you through the process to address the issue.
Be Wary of Deceptive Scam Calls
Some scammers will make a call to you claiming to be from your bank. They will use a variety of tactics to trick you into revealing your personal and financial information. Here are a few red flags you should watch out for:
Malicious Links: Scammers often include links in texts, emails, and calls to obtain your details or redirect you to fake websites. Impersonation Scams: Scammers can use recorded messages or voices to sound like bank representatives, tricking you into divulging sensitive information. Unauthorized Cuts: Banks typically do not make unannounced calls to you regarding your accounts. If your credit or debit card is cut off, it’s likely a signal that something is amiss and a fraud attempt may be underway.If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately and wait for an hour before contacting your bank. This delays any potential conversation with the scammer and allows you to take a more informed and careful approach.
Responding to Suspicious Activity
If your bank identifies suspicious activity, they may initiate programs like P.S.I. (Fraud Protection Service) to help you secure your account. If there’s a change in the status of your account, it is crucial to verify this within 24 hours to prevent further unauthorized transactions.
Failing to address this within the required time can result in your account being frozen until the issue is resolved. To avoid this, contact your bank as soon as you receive the alert and work with them to rectify the situation.
The key to addressing potential fraud is vigilance and caution. Always verify information from official bank sources and never hesitate to seek additional assistance from reputable security professionals if necessary.