Wells Fargo credit card scams: how to spot the fake fraud alert
Quick answer
Texts, emails and calls that claim to be Wells Fargo and warn about your credit card are usually scammers pretending to be the bank. Wells Fargo says it won't ask for your PIN, password or one-time codes. Don't click or call back. Use the number on the back of your card.
- Comes by
- Text, Email, Phone call
- Pretends to be
- Wells Fargo
- Last updated
How it works
Scammers pretend to be Wells Fargo and send an urgent alert about your card: a suspicious charge, a locked account, a payment to verify or reverse. Wells Fargo says these messages arrive by text, email or phone call, and that scammers now use AI to make them read like the real thing.
The message pushes you to act before you think. You're told to log in, "unlock" your account, verify a transaction or call a number. The link leads to a fake sign-in page, and the number connects you to a scammer posing as a fraud agent.
What they want: your online banking password, your card PIN, the one-time code the bank texts you, or your card details. With a one-time code they can sign in as you or approve a payment. Callers may also ask to take remote control of your computer, which Wells Fargo says it will never ask for.
Caller ID can be spoofed, so a call that shows a bank's name or number proves nothing.
Red flags
- An alert that demands you act immediately or your account will be locked or closed
- An email from an address that isn't on wellsfargo.com, or a greeting like "Dear Customer"
- A request for your PIN, online password or a one-time access code
- A link, attachment or QR code in an unexpected message
- A number in the message to "call the fraud department"
- A caller who asks you to install software or allow remote access
Example message
Wells Fargo Fraud Alert: a charge of $489.00 on your credit card was flagged as suspicious. If this wasn't you, verify your account now at [link] or your card will be restricted. Reply STOP to opt out, or call [phone number].
What to do
- 1
Don't click, reply or call back
Close the message or hang up. Don't use any link, number or QR code it contains.
- 2
Check your card on your own
Open the Wells Fargo Mobile app or type the bank's web address into a new browser tab, and look at your recent activity. You can also call the number on the back of your card.
- 3
If you clicked, paid or shared details, call the bank now
Wells Fargo says to call it right away if you clicked a link, opened an attachment, sent a payment or gave personal or financial information. Use the number on its fraud reporting page or on your card.
- 4
Change your passwords
If you entered a password anywhere, change it on the real site, and on any other account that uses the same one. Turn on extra sign-in security.
- 5
Forward the message to the bank, then delete it
If you didn't respond, Wells Fargo asks you to forward suspicious emails and texts to its phishing reporting address, which is listed on its fraud reporting page. Then delete the message.
- 6
Watch your accounts and credit
Turn on transaction alerts and check statements for charges you don't recognize. Consider a credit freeze if you shared identity details.
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 need to know you bank with Wells Fargo to try this, but the ones who do know your name, phone number or city can make the alert sound real. Those details are easy to find on people-search sites and show up in data breaches. Serus finds the data brokers that list your details and removes them, and alerts you when your data shows up in a breach, so fewer scammers can build a convincing message about you.
More Wells Fargo scams
Frequently asked
Will Wells Fargo text or email me asking for a code or password?
No. Wells Fargo says it will never ask for your PIN, online banking password or one-time access codes by email or text.
How do I know if a Wells Fargo email is real?
Wells Fargo says to check that the sender's address is on wellsfargo.com, look for your name rather than "Dear Customer", and be wary of extreme urgency or threats to close your account.
The caller ID says Wells Fargo. Is the call real?
Not necessarily. Scammers spoof caller ID. Hang up and call the number on the back of your card.
I clicked a link in the message. What now?
Call the bank straight away using the number on your card or its fraud reporting page, change your passwords and review your recent transactions.
Sources
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