A text from “Chase” says there’s a charge you don’t recognise, with a link or a number to call. Your stomach drops. Before you tap anything, compare it with this example.
Chase Fraud Alert: A $489.99 purchase at BESTDEALS-ONLINE was blocked on your card ending 4417. If this wasn’t you, secure your account now: chase-secure-alert.example/verify
An invented example, but real scam messages look just like it.
Short answer: Treat it as a scam if it has a link, asks for a password, PIN or one-time code, or tells you to call a number it gives you. Texts can be made to look like they come from your bank.
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Red flags in a message like this
- A link to “secure” or “verify” your account
- A call-back number that isn’t printed on the back of your card
- A request for your password, PIN, full card number or a code
- Pressure: act now or your account will be closed
- A purchase you don’t recognise, which exists to make you panic
What Chase says
- Chase warns that caller ID and text messages can be spoofed to look like they’re from your bank.
- Its advice is to hang up, or ignore the text, and call the number on the back of your card.
- Chase says it will never ask you to move money to a “safe account”, send money to yourself or help with an “investigation”.
If you already tapped, replied or paid
- Tapped but typed nothing: close the page. You’re very likely fine.
- Typed card details: call the number on the back of your card and block it.
- Typed your Chase login: change the password and call the bank straight away.
- Someone on the phone told you to move money: stop and call Chase on your card number.
Report it: Report phishing emails to phishing@chase.com. For texts, forward to 7726 (SPAM) and report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Still not sure? Paste it into ScamRead before you reply or pay.