Chase banking scams: how fake fraud calls and texts work
Quick answer
Scammers pretend to be Chase's fraud team and say your account is at risk. A real bank won't ask you to move money to fix fraud. Hang up, then call the number on the back of your card. Caller ID can be faked, so don't trust the number on screen.
- Comes by
- Phone call, Text, Email
- Pretends to be
- Chase
- Last updated
How it works
According to Chase's own security guidance, bank impersonation scammers invent a crisis about your account, often claiming there's fraud, and push you to act quickly. They may threaten penalties if you don't.
The usual ask is to move money to a "safe" or new account, often by Zelle or wire. Chase says a legitimate bank will never ask you to move money to resolve a fraud issue. The caller ID or text sender can be spoofed to look exactly like your bank, and some scammers ask for remote access to your device.
Phishing emails and texts do the same job with a link to a lookalike site. Chase says its real web address ends in chase.com.
Red flags
- An unexpected call or text claiming fraud on your account
- Being told to move money to a new or "safe" account
- Pressure to act right now, or threats of penalties
- A caller who asks for remote access to your computer or phone
- A link to a site that doesn't end in chase.com
- Caller ID that matches Chase: it can be spoofed
Example message
This is the Chase fraud department. We've seen suspicious activity on your account. To protect your money, transfer it to a secure account now. Reply or call back at [phone number].
What to do
- 1
Hang up and call Chase yourself
Use the number on the back of your card or your statement. Chase advises not to call back the number that contacted you.
- 2
Don't move money or give remote access
A real bank won't ask you to transfer money to fix fraud, and you shouldn't let an unexpected caller control your device.
- 3
Don't click links or open attachments
Check the sender's full address and the web address. Chase says its real address ends in chase.com.
- 4
If you already sent money or shared details, call your bank right away
Use the card number on your card, tell them it was fraud, and change your passwords. Consider a credit freeze if you shared identity details.
- 5
Report it
Forward suspicious emails to the abuse address Chase publishes on its security pages, and report to the FTC. If you lost money, also file at ic3.gov.
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 don't pick numbers at random for the convincing ones. Names, phone numbers, addresses and email addresses are easy to buy from data brokers and look up on people-search sites, and breached databases circulate among scammers. Serus finds the data brokers and people-search sites that list you where you live and removes you from them, and alerts you when your details show up in a breach, so fewer scammers can reach you with a message that sounds personal. Our guides on data brokers and data breaches explain how it works.
More Chase scams
Frequently asked
Is Chase the scammer?
No. Scammers pretend to be Chase. Chase publishes its own guidance on spotting bank impersonation.
The call showed Chase's number. Is it real?
Not necessarily. Chase warns that caller ID and texts can be spoofed to look just like your bank.
Would Chase ask me to move my money?
Chase says legitimate banks never ask you to move money to resolve a fraud issue.
What if I'm not a Chase customer?
Scammers send these to many people. Don't act on it either way: contact your own bank through its official number.
Sources
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