Netspend scams: how to spot fake texts, emails and calls about your card
Quick answer
A call, text or email that claims to be Netspend and asks for your card number, PIN, Social Security number or login is a scam. Netspend says it won't ask for those by email or text. Hang up and call the number on the back of your card.
- Comes by
- Text, Email, Phone call
- Pretends to be
- Netspend
- Last updated
How it works
Scammers pretend to be Netspend, the prepaid card company. The message says your account is locked, a payment failed or there's suspicious activity, and pushes you to confirm your details.
The link opens a fake login page that captures your card details and password. A call may ask you to read out your card number or PIN. Once they have those, they can drain the card balance.
Netspend's own security pages say it will not ask for your card number, PIN, Social Security number or online login by email or text. If you get a call you didn't request, it says to hang up and call the number on the back of your card.
Red flags
- A message that says your Netspend account is locked or compromised and gives a link or number
- A request for your card number, PIN, Social Security number or login
- A call you didn't ask for that pushes you to confirm details
- A sender or link that isn't Netspend's own
- Urgency: act now or lose access
- A request to move your balance to another account or card
Example message
Netspend alert: your prepaid card has been suspended due to suspicious activity. Verify your account at [link] or call [phone number] to restore access.
What to do
- 1
Don't click or call back
Use the number on the back of your card, or open Netspend by typing the address yourself.
- 2
Forward a phishing email
Netspend says to forward the whole email (not a copy and paste) to spoof@netspend.com. Check the address on netspend.com first, as help pages can be out of date.
- 3
Report the text or email
Forward a text to 7726 (SPAM) and an email to reportphishing@apwg.org. Report it to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- 4
If you shared card details or a PIN
Call Netspend immediately on the number on your card, ask it to lock or replace the card and review your transactions.
- 5
Protect your identity
If you gave your Social Security number, go to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan and consider a credit freeze.
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 rarely guess. Names, phone numbers, email addresses and home addresses are sold by data brokers, listed on people-search sites such as Spokeo, and leaked in breaches, which is how a message can reach you with your name already on it. Serus finds the brokers that list you and removes your listings, and alerts you when your details turn up in a breach, so fewer scammers can build a convincing message about you. If you've already shared details, our guide on what to do after a data breach covers the next steps.
Frequently asked
Will Netspend ask for my PIN by text or email?
No. Netspend says it won't ask for your card number, PIN, Social Security number or online login by email or text.
What should I do if I get a call from Netspend I did not expect?
Hang up and call the number on the back of your card.
Where do I forward a suspicious Netspend email?
Netspend's help page says to forward the full email to spoof@netspend.com. Confirm the current address on netspend.com.
Is Netspend the scammer?
No. Scammers pretend to be Netspend. Netspend is the company being impersonated.
Sources
Something wrong or out of date? Tell us and we'll re-check it.
