Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

BoA Alert Scam - How to Protect Yourself
BoA Alert Scam - How to Protect Yourself

Bank of America (BoA) text and phone alerts claiming your account is locked, suspended, or flagged for a suspicious charge are highly likely to be a scam. Imposter bank scams are surging, with fraudsters using advanced social engineering to mirror legitimate bank alerts perfectly. If you interact with these messages, you face the risk of total capital loss from your accounts.

Red Flags of the BoA Alert Scam

  • Fake Transaction Alerts: You receive a text or call claiming an unauthorized charge (often around $1,000) occurred at a major retailer like Target.
  • High-Pressure Urgency: The message claims your account or debit card will be permanently disabled unless you act "immediately".
  • Requests for OTPs: The caller asks you to read back a one-time passcode (OTP) sent to your phone "to verify your identity".
  • The "Pay Yourself" Trap: Scammers instruct you to use Zelle to transfer money "to your own account" to reverse a fake fraudulent charge. In reality, they change the recipient details on the back end, and the funds route directly to their account.

Real vs. Fake BoA Alert Checklist

FeatureReal Bank of America AlertFake Scam Alert
Sender InfoComes from official bank short codes or an @bankofamerica.com or @ealerts.bankofamerica.com email address.Sent from normal 10-digit phone numbers, spoofed IDs, or emails like security@bankofamerica-alerts.com.
Links ProvidedMay ask you to check the app, but will never provide a direct link to enter passwords or credentials.Contains direct hyperlinks or shortened URLs to lookalike phishing login pages.
Core RequestRequests a simple "YES" or "NO" response to verify if you made a specific transaction.Demands passwords, full PINs, Social Security Numbers (SSN), or one-time verification codes.
Financial ActionNever asks you to move money, buy crypto, or purchase gift cards to keep your funds safe.Tells you to wire funds, use Zelle, or transfer money to a "secure" account.

Steps to Protect Your Funds

  1. Slow Down & Hang Up: If you are on the phone or received an urgent text, do not reply or click any links.
  2. Call the Official Number: Look at the physical back of your debit or credit card and call that exact number directly to reach Bank of America's Official Fraud Department. Do not call numbers provided in texts or via a casual Google search.
  3. Never Share Codes: Bank of America will never reach out unsolicited and ask you for your online banking password, card PIN, or an SMS verification code.
  4. Report the Attack: Forward fraudulent texts to 7726 (SPAM) to alert your carrier. Send screenshots of emails or texts directly to BoA at abuse@bankofamerica.com.
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