Bank of America Impersonation Scams
Scammers impersonate Bank of America with spoofed fraud-alert calls and phishing texts designed to trick customers into moving money or revealing login credentials. The real bank will never ask you to transfer funds to a 'safe account' or read out a one-time code.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Bank of America's size and name recognition make it a frequent target for impersonation scams across phone, text, and email. Fraudsters spoof the bank's real customer service number and claim to be calling from the fraud or security department about an urgent, ongoing threat to your account.
Common variations include texts claiming a large purchase was just declined or approved, phishing emails mimicking Bank of America's online banking login page, and calls that pressure victims into moving money to a new account 'for safekeeping' while the supposed investigation continues.
Bank of America is the victim of this impersonation. The tactics rely entirely on urgency and spoofed credibility, not on any genuine bank process — a real fraud investigation never requires you to move your own money.
How scammers impersonate it
- Spoofing Bank of America's real phone number on caller ID
- Texting fake alerts about a large or suspicious transaction with a link to 'verify'
- Building phishing pages that closely copy the Bank of America online banking login
- Claiming to be from the bank's fraud or security team investigating 'unauthorized access'
- Instructing victims to move funds to a new account while an investigation is 'ongoing'
What the real organisation never does
- Ask you to transfer money to a new or 'secure' account during a fraud investigation
- Ask you to read out a one-time passcode or online banking password
- Send a text with a login link instead of directing you to the official app
- Ask for your full Social Security number or card PIN over the phone
- Threaten immediate account closure unless you act within minutes
Common red flags
- Urgent claim that your account is compromised right now
- Any request to move or transfer your own money as part of 'protecting' it
- A link in a text or email used to log in, rather than the official app
- Request for a one-time passcode, full password, or PIN
- Caller discourages you from hanging up to call the number on your card
Sanitized example messages
Illustrative, sanitized examples. Personal details are replaced with placeholders such as [phone number] and [fake link].
Call: 'This is Bank of America fraud prevention — someone is trying to access your account. To keep your money safe, we need to move it to a temporary secure account.'
Text: 'BofA Alert: A charge of [amount] was just made on your card. If this wasn't you, verify now at baanofamericase8[.]hostfree[.]pw.'
How to verify
- Hang up and call the number on the back of your card or on bankofamerica.com
- Log in only through the official Bank of America app or by typing the address directly into your browser
- Never move money at the instruction of an unsolicited caller, regardless of the reason given
- Check your account activity directly in the app rather than trusting a text or email claim
What to do if you're targeted
- Do not click links, share codes, or move any money
- Contact Bank of America directly through the number on your card or statement
- Report the scam to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and to the bank's fraud department
Frequently asked questions
The text mentioned an exact purchase amount — doesn't that prove it's genuine?
Not necessarily. Some scam texts are sent blind and rely on coincidence, while others use amounts guessed from typical spending patterns or data obtained elsewhere. Always verify by checking your account directly in the app, not by replying to the text.
Can Bank of America really ask me to move money during a fraud check?
No. A genuine fraud investigation does not require you to transfer your own funds anywhere. Any call instructing you to move money to a new or 'safe' account is a scam, regardless of how official it sounds.