Acorns scams: how to spot fake Acorns emails and fake support
Quick answer
Acorns is a real company, and scammers pretend to be it. Acorns says fake Acorns emails and fake customer support exist. If a message about your account pushes you to act fast, don't click or call it back. Open the app or type the address yourself.
Reviewed by Anthon Wansland
Head of Product & Co-Founder
Serus is a privacy company with paid tools to find and remove your personal data. This page is free and based on official sources.
- Comes by
- Email, Phone call, Text
- Pretends to be
- Acorns
- Last updated
How it works
Acorns is a real investing and banking app. Scammers borrow its name because people recognize it and many have an account. Acorns says on its security page that it keeps customers updated about fake Acorns emails and customer support scams.
The FTC describes the pattern behind most impersonation scams. The scammer pretends to be an organization you know, says there is a problem with your account or a prize waiting, pressures you to act right away, and tells you to pay or share details in a specific way. For an investing app, the goal is usually your login, a security code or your bank details, because that is how they reach the money.
The FTC also notes that scammers can fake the number or name that shows on your caller ID, so a call that looks like it comes from a company you use can still be a fake.
Sources checked: acorns.com, consumer.ftc.gov
Last verified against the official page:
Red flags
- A message about your account that you didn't expect, with a link to log in or verify something
- Pressure to act right now, or a threat that your account will be closed
- A request for your password, a security code, your Social Security number or bank login
- A support number or link inside the message instead of one you looked up yourself
- Anyone asking you to pay by gift card, crypto, wire transfer or a payment app
- A caller ID that looks right: the FTC says it can be faked
Example message
Acorns Security: we noticed unusual activity on your account. Confirm your details within 24 hours to avoid a lock. Log in at [link] or call support at [phone number].
What to do
- 1
Don't click, call or reply
If a message claims to be from Acorns and you think it might be real, don't use the link or the number in it. Open the Acorns app or type the address into your browser yourself, and check your account there.
- 2
Check your account directly
Look at recent activity in the app. Acorns also suggests checking your account regularly and checking for an automatic transfer before assuming a transaction you don't recognize is fraud.
- 3
If you gave out a password or code, change it now
Change your Acorns password and the password for any other account that uses it. Turn on two-factor authentication. Acorns recommends it as an extra layer of security.
- 4
If you gave bank or card details, call your bank
Use the number on your card or on your bank's official site. Tell them it was fraud and ask what to block or reverse.
- 5
If you paid someone, report it quickly
Contact the company you paid with, then report it to the FTC. Never pay anyone who insists on gift cards, crypto, wire transfers or payment apps.
- 6
Tell someone you trust
The FTC suggests talking to a friend or family member before you do anything else. It can help you see that it's a scam.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers who pretend to be a financial app work better when they know your name, email or phone number. They can pull those from people-search sites and from data breaches. Serus finds where your contact details are listed and removes them, and alerts you when your email or password shows up in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you with a message that feels personal.
Frequently asked
Is Acorns a scam?
This page is about scammers who pretend to be Acorns. Acorns itself is a real company, and its security page describes steps it takes, such as multi-factor authentication and 24/7 monitoring.
Will Acorns ask for my password by email or phone?
The FTC says honest organizations won't call, email or text to ask for personal information like your Social Security, bank account or card numbers. Treat any such request as a scam.
How do I know a message is really from Acorns?
Don't rely on the message. Log in through the app or by typing the address yourself, and look up support contact details on the official site.
I already clicked a link. What now?
Change your passwords, turn on two-factor authentication, watch your account and call your bank if you shared financial details. Then report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Sources
Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll re-check it.
