My father got a text saying his bank account is locked — how do we know if it is real?
My father got a text claiming his bank account was locked and asking him to tap a link. He almost did. How can we tell a real bank message from a fake one?
✓ Accepted answer
Your father’s text is almost certainly a phishing scam, as reputable financial institutions never ask customers to click links to unlock accounts or verify identity via text message.
- Verify through official channels: Do not reply to the text or tap the link. Instead, use your father’s bank app, or call the customer service number printed on his debit card or official website. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) advises that legitimate banks will not text you about account issues without prior warning.
- Check for sender red flags: Authentic bank alerts usually come from a verified shortcode, not a personal-style mobile number. If the message contains poor grammar, urgent language, or asks for a one-time passcode, it is a fraud attempt.
- Monitor account activity: Log in to the banking portal directly to check for unauthorized transactions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recommends reviewing recent statements immediately to spot any signs of compromise.
- Report the incident: Forward the text to the bank’s fraud department if provided, and report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
- Educate on best practices: Establish a family protocol where any suspicious financial message is screened by a trusted relative before action is taken. This double-check process significantly reduces the risk of elderly fraud.
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