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Scam teardown
The fake "bank fraud alert" text
By Lajhem Cambridge, Founder of Lorna · Published Oct 10, 2026
Has a text like this arrived on your phone?
Text message
+1 (415) 555-0126
Bank Fraud Alert: Did you authorize $482.19 at Walmart?1 Reply YES or NO2, or call 1-888-555-01993 immediately.
It looks like your bank protecting you. It's the start of a phone scam.
- 1
A big charge you didn't make. The panic is the point. A scared person acts first and checks later.
- 2
Any reply starts the scam. YES or NO, the next step is a call from someone pretending to be the bank's fraud team.
- 3
The phone number is theirs. Calling it reaches the scammer, who will ask for your account details.
Your calm next step
Don't reply, and don't call that number. Delete the text. Worried about your account? Call the number on the back of your card.
Not sure?
Text Lorna a screenshot before you reply. Lorna will help you check if it's real.
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