If you get a text claiming to be from your bank, especially one asking you to act fast, it might be a scam. Chase customers are among the latest targets in a phishing campaign using fake alerts to trick people into giving up account information.
Bill from Idaho recently emailed us to share his experience after receiving a convincing scam text that almost fooled him. Here’s what happened and what you can do to protect yourself.
The Chase scam text that looked real
Bill got a message on his iPhone that looked like it came from Chase. Here’s what it said:
Chase Bank Urgent Notice: Verification Required for Account Security
Dear Chase Customer,
Our security systems have detected potential unauthorized activity on your account. To safeguard your financial information and maintain the security of your account, we kindly request immediate verification. Please verify your account details using the secure verification link below:
This verification must be completed within two hours to avoid temporary account restrictions.
“I didn’t click the link, thankfully,” Bill told us. “But since I’m a Chase customer, it made me pause.” He reached out to the bank directly and was told the message was a scam.
How to spot a bank scam text
Scammers are getting better at writing messages that look official. But there are still signs you can watch for:
1) The message creates urgency
Phishing texts often say you have a limited time to act. This tactic is designed to make you panic and click without thinking.
2) The link looks suspicious
A real Chase message wouldn’t use a shortened URL like bit.ly. Always inspect links closely, but never click on them if you’re unsure.
3) The tone or wording seems off
Scam messages may look polished, but often include awkward phrases or formatting.
4) It asks for account verification
Banks don’t ask for personal information or login details by text. If they need you to take action, they’ll direct you to log in securely through their app or website.
5)The greeting is generic
If a message says “Dear customer” instead of using your name, that’s a red flag.
What to do if you receive a bank scam text
If you ever get a text like this, follow these steps:
- Don’t click any links in the message.
- Do not reply or engage with the sender.
- Take a screenshot in case you want to report it.
- Contact Chase directly through their app or the number on your card.
- Report the message by forwarding it to 7726 (SPAM) and emailing phishing@chase.com.
- File a report with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov if you think your information was compromised.
8 tips to protect yourself from bank scam texts
You can take a few proactive steps to reduce your risk of falling for a Chase scam text, or any phishing attempt. These strategies can help you stay one step ahead:
1) Be cautious with links and use strong antivirus software
Don’t click on links in unsolicited texts or emails, even if they look official. Use a strong antivirus or mobile security app to help block malicious links and detect potential threats. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
TotalAV is easy to set up and offers real-time protection for paid users, keeping your devices safe around the clock. It includes tools to block phishing scams, remove ransomware and spyware, and clean up adware and junk files. The software also features a browser manager, system tune-up tools, and protects across Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
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2) Filter suspicious messages automatically
Enable spam filters in your phone’s messaging settings. Most modern smartphones have built-in options to block known scam numbers and filter unknown senders.
3) Add an extra layer of account security
Use two-factor authentication (2F) on your banking, email, and financial accounts. Even if a scammer gets your login info, 2FA makes it harder for them to access your data.
4) Remove your personal info from data broker sites
Use a personal data removal service to reduce the amount of personal information available about you online. Scammers often pull names, phone numbers, and even bank affiliations from these public databases.
While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap – and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
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How one convincing SSA scam nearly tricked a reader, and the five red flags to check before you click.
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5) Stick to verified sources
Only use the official Chase app or website to check your account or respond to alerts. Never trust links sent via text or email unless you’ve confirmed their legitimacy.
6) Slow down when messages feel urgent
Stay cautious with any message that pressures you to act immediately or share personal details. Scammers use urgency to short-circuit your judgment.
7) Regularly monitor your bank activity
Even if you haven’t clicked anything suspicious, make it a habit to check your accounts regularly for unusual transactions.
8) Educate family members, especially older adults
Scammers often target people who may not be familiar with digital threats. Share these tips with parents or grandparents to help them stay safe too.
Related Links:
- 5 steps to protect your finances from family scams
- Fake agent phone scams are spreading fast across the US
- Social Security Administration phishing scam targets retirees
Kurt’s key takeaways
Bill made the smart move. He didn’t click the link and confirmed the message with Chase. That one step helped him avoid what could have been a serious security issue. Scammers are using more realistic tactics every day, but you don’t have to fall for them. When something feels off, trust your instincts. Always go straight to the source, and never let urgency rush you into clicking a suspicious link.
Do you think banks and the government should be doing more to prevent scam texts and protect consumers from phishing attacks? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
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5 comments
Yes, I think that banks and the government should both do more to protect consumers from phishing attacks. The average person has neither the knowledge nor the skills to combat this illegal and insidious behavior.
Shouldn’t the first and easy clue is noticing the sender’s number is +91? Why read further after that?
Hi David, spotting a +91 country code on a text or call claiming to be from your bank is a strong early warning sign that it’s a scam – especially if you’re in the U.S. and not expecting any international communication. In many cases, that alone is enough to hit delete. But scammers are constantly evolving. They often spoof U.S. numbers to appear more legitimate and trickier to detect. That’s why it’s important to go beyond the obvious red flags and understand the patterns of scam behavior—like urgent language, suspicious links, or requests for personal info. Recognizing these tactics helps you stay ahead, even when scammers switch up their playbook.
Anthony L
The Government should take action to prevent companies from collecting and selling your personal information.
I agree with Anthony. But, sadly, our dear Uncle Sam is fast asleep at the switch. Congress has had many (dozens!) of cybersecurity bills pass through with none ever signed into law. As a result, most states have passed their own cybersecurity legislation, led by California and Massachusetts. The credit card processing industry has gone the furthest with their own rules for organizations that take credit card payments.Unfortunately, most of the state legislation is boilerplate or feel good stuff, focused on privacy. What legislation there is has no teeth to force companies to protect private date. an egregious example, several years ago, was the Equifax hack which “lost” the detailed data this credit bureau holds on all of us. The company suffered no penalties for an egregious failure of their security obligations. Oh, sorry, the CEO was forced to resign and take a measly $40-million handshake.
Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. 🤬