Chase scam texts, calls and emails: how to spot a fake fraud alert
Quick answer
Scammers pretend to be Chase's fraud department by text, call or email. The tell is urgency plus a link, a code request or a demand to move money. Don't reply or click. Hang up and call the number on the back of your Chase card.
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- Text, Phone call, Email
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- Chase
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How it works
Scammers send a text or email saying there is suspicious activity on your Chase account, or call and say they are from the fraud department. Caller ID and sender names can be faked, so the message can look like it came from Chase.
Chase says scammers invent a crisis on your account and push you to act fast. From there they usually want one of these:
- Your login or card details, typed into a look-alike website you reach through a link.
- A one-time code, which lets them sign in as you.
- A transfer. They tell you to move money to a "new" or "safe" account to protect it. Chase says a legitimate bank never asks you to move money to resolve a fraud issue.
The websites are built to look right, but Chase notes that misspellings, extra words and look-alike domains give them away.
Red flags
- An unsolicited text, call or email about urgent fraud on your account
- A link to sign in or "verify" your details
- A request for your password, PIN or a one-time code
- Instructions to move money to a new or safe account
- Caller ID or a sender name that says Chase: both can be faked
- Typos, odd web addresses or extra words in a website name
Example message
Chase Alert: we noticed a suspicious charge on your account. If this wasn't you, secure your account now at [link]. Reply STOP to opt out.
What to do
- 1
Don't reply, click or open attachments
If it was a call, hang up. If it was a text or email, leave the link alone and don't download anything.
- 2
Check with Chase yourself
Call the number on the back of your Chase card or on your statement, or open the Chase app. Don't use a number from the message.
- 3
Forward the message to Chase
Chase lists phishing@chase.com for suspicious emails. For texts, forward them to 7726 (SPAM), which goes to your mobile carrier.
- 4
If you clicked or typed details, act now
Call Chase using the number on your card. Change your Chase password, and any account that shares it, and turn on two-step verification.
- 5
If you sent money, tell the bank immediately
Say it was a scam and ask what can be stopped. Then watch your credit reports and consider a freeze. Our guide on what to do after a data breach covers the steps.
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 often know your name and phone number before they contact you, which is why the message feels personal. That kind of detail is easy to find on people-search sites and in breached data.
Serus finds where your phone number, address and email are listed on people-search sites and other data brokers and files removal requests, and it alerts you when your details turn up in a breach. That won't stop every message, but it gives scammers less to work with.
Common Chase scams
- Chase bank impersonation scam 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.
- Chase credit card scam Scammers pretend to be Chase's fraud department with a fake alert about a charge. Chase says it won't ask for your password, PIN or account details by text, email or phone unless you called. Hang up and call the number on the back of your card.
- Chase Credit Journey email scam Credit Journey is a real Chase feature, so scammers copy its alerts. An email that says your data was found on the dark web or in a breach and asks you to click and sign in may be fake. Don't use its link. Open the Chase app yourself, and forward the email to phishing@chase.com.
- Chase fraud alert text scam Chase says its fraud alert texts come from 5 or 6 digit short codes, and 72166 is one it lists. Fake Chase texts copy that look. Chase won't ask for your login or tell you to move money. Don't tap links: call the number on the back of your card.
- Chase fraud department call scam A caller who says they're Chase's fraud department and asks you to move money, share a code or give remote access is a scammer. Caller ID can be faked. Hang up and call the number on the back of your card.
- Chase fraud email scam Forward a suspicious email that claims to be from Chase to phishing@chase.com, then delete it. Chase is the bank scammers pretend to be. Don't click links or call numbers in the email. If you already acted on it, call Chase using the number on your card.
- Chase no-reply alert email scam An email or text that looks like a Chase alert, even from a no-reply address, can be fake. A display name proves nothing. Check the full sender address, don't use the links, and open the Chase app or type the website yourself. Chase says it won't ask for your password or PIN by email or text.
- Chase phishing scam If an email or text that says it's from Chase asks you to click a link, confirm your login or fix a payment problem, treat it as phishing. Don't click. Open Chase from the app or a number on your card, and report the message at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Chase phishing scam Emails, texts or calls that claim to be Chase and ask you to confirm account details or click a link are phishing. Chase says to reach it only through its mobile app or chase.com. Don't click, call the number on your card, and report it to the FTC.
Frequently asked
Is a text from Chase about fraud real?
It can be, but you can't tell from the text. Chase says to treat unsolicited urgent contact with caution and verify by calling the number on your card.
Will Chase ever ask me to move money to a safe account?
No. Chase says a legitimate bank never asks you to move money to resolve a fraud issue.
Where do I report a fake Chase email or text?
Send emails to phishing@chase.com and forward texts to 7726 (SPAM). You can also report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
The caller ID says Chase. Doesn't that prove it's them?
No. Chase notes that caller ID and texts can be spoofed to show its name even when it isn't Chase.
Sources
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