Bank Impersonation Scams
Fraudsters pretend to be your bank to authorise transfers or steal login codes.
What is this scam?
Bank impersonation scams use calls, texts, or messages claiming suspicious activity, refund offers, or “security upgrades.”
The criminal guides you to share codes, install remote-access apps, or send money to a “safe account.”
How it works
- You receive an urgent call or SMS appearing to be from your bank.
- The scammer knows partial personal details from data breaches to sound convincing.
- They ask for one-time codes, PINs, or to approve a payment in your banking app.
- Funds are moved quickly to mule accounts and cashed out.
Warning signs
- Caller insists you must act immediately without visiting a branch
- Request to install AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or similar remote tools
- Instructions to transfer money to another account “for safekeeping”
- SMS with links to “reactivate” or “verify” your account
- Ask for secrecy—“do not tell branch staff why you are withdrawing”
What to do
- Hang up and call your bank using the number on your card or official website.
- Never share one-time codes or approve payments you did not initiate.
- If money was sent, contact your bank’s fraud department immediately.
- Report the incident to police or national fraud reporting services.
- Change banking app passwords and review account alerts.
Safety checklist
- Banks never ask for full PINs or to move money to safe accounts
- Verify callbacks by ending the call and dialling official numbers yourself
- Enable transaction notifications in your banking app
- Discuss large transfers with someone you trust first
- Check payment links with Fraudly when shopping online
Check a website before you pay
Paste a shop or payment link into Fraudly's free checker—get trust signals before you share card details or log in.
Check a website before you payFrequently asked questions
- The caller ID showed my bank’s name—is that proof?
- No. Caller ID and SMS sender names can be spoofed.
- What is a safe account scam?
- A story that your money is at risk and must be moved to another account controlled by criminals—not by the bank.
Related scam guides
Phishing Emails
Fake emails that steal passwords, payment details, or install malware.
Read guideWhatsApp Scams
Messages from “family,” “bosses,” or strangers pushing urgent payments or codes.
Read guideTech Support Scams
Fake Microsoft or Apple alerts demanding remote access or payment to “fix” your device.
Read guideFake Invoice Scams
Modified bank details on invoices or entirely fabricated bills from “suppliers.”
Read guide
Fraudly is not a law enforcement agency. We provide informational guidance and links to official reporting organisations.
Related Fraudly resources
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- Fraudly PremiumDeep Scan and Live Protection in Chrome—website scans stay free.
- Scam alertsPublished threat alerts with context on emerging phishing and scam campaigns.
- Intelligence HubEditorial guides on fake webshops, phishing, and warning signs before you pay or log in.
