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Mobile banking alert text is a crucial tool in protecting your financial information from fraud.
These alerts can detect suspicious activity, such as large transactions or logins from unfamiliar locations.
Most banks send alerts to your phone or email when they detect unusual behavior.
You can customize your alert preferences to suit your needs, including the types of transactions that trigger alerts.
Mobile Banking Safety
Bank mobile alert scams are a serious threat to your financial security, and they can target anyone with a mobile phone and a bank account.
Scammers use fake text messages that claim to be from your bank, stating there's a hold, fraudulent activity, or an update to your account.
These fake messages will often instruct you to call a specified number, which is actually a scammer trying to get your personal information.
If you call the number, you'll be asked for your savings account number, PIN number, or even your social security number.
There aren't specific demographics or types of accounts that scammers target - they're just trying to get anyone's financial information.
To stay safe, look for short codes - abbreviated phone numbers that are five or six digits long and unique to the sender.
Short codes are more difficult for scammers to spoof, making them more trustworthy.
You can double-check any text or SMS message against your bank's short codes to verify its authenticity.
First Merchants Bank Services
First Merchants Bank uses text messages as a vital tool to provide services such as account alerts and one-time authentication codes.
You can expect to receive alerts from First Merchants Bank when you interact with their Consumer Lending professionals.
The bank may send you text messages to provide important updates about your account or to request your confirmation on certain transactions.
First Merchants Bank is transparent about the texts they send, so you'll know it's them if you receive a message from this specific number.
Their text banking service allows you to stay on top of your account activity and receive timely notifications about any suspicious activity.
You can always text back "N" to confirm a transaction is legitimate or "Y" to report it as fraudulent, just like with other banks.
Debit Card and Zelle Alerts
Debit Card and Zelle Alerts are two types of one-time notifications you may receive from your bank. You'll get a text from a specific number, 86975, alerting you to suspicious activity on your debit card.
If you receive a text from 86975, log in to your online banking portal or contact customer care via the number listed on your bank's website. This is the recommended course of action.
You'll also receive one-time alerts from the number 20736 while using Zelle. These alerts may include sending and receiving confirmations, Zelle account balances, or other relevant information.
Debit Card Alert
You'll receive a one-time notification from a specific number alerting you to suspicious activity on your debit card. This number is 86975.
If you receive a text from this number, log in to your online banking portal to verify the activity.
Zelle Notification
You'll receive one-time alerts from Zelle, which can include sending and receiving confirmations, as well as other relevant information. These alerts are designed to keep you informed about your Zelle account balances.
Fraud Protection and Scams
Mobile banking alert texts can be a convenient way to stay on top of your finances, but they can also be used to scam you out of your personal and financial information. Scammers will send fake texts that look like they're from your bank, trying to get you to reveal sensitive info.
Some common tactics used by scammers include making false promises, posing as legitimate companies, or requesting donations. These tactics are designed to trick you into giving up your personal data and money.
If you receive a suspicious text message, don't fall for it. Banks like Zions and Amegy will never ask you to provide sensitive information via text message. Instead, they'll send you a legitimate text asking if a transaction is fraudulent, and all you have to do is respond with "Y" or "N".
Here are some common signs of a scam text:
- Making false promises in the hopes of receiving personal data and money.
- Posing as legitimate companies with questions about your account or transactions.
- Requesting donations for a charitable cause by posing as a community organizer or politician.
- Gaining sensitive information to use it in identity theft phishing scam.
Phishing and Smishing: Fraud Trends to Be Aware Of
Phishing and smishing are methods that scammers use to trick people into giving up personal and financial information. They're not just limited to text message scams, but can also be found in emails.
Phishing scams often make false promises in the hopes of receiving personal data and money. Scammers may also pose as legitimate companies with questions about your account or transactions. This is a common tactic used by scammers to gain your trust.
Smishing is the use of SMS text messages to trick people into giving up their personal and financial information. A bank mobile alert scam is a type of smishing scam that tells you to act right away by calling a specified number.
If you receive a text message from your bank, it will generally be beneficial and keep you from harm. However, a fake fraud alert will tell you to call a number to resolve the issue, which is actually a scam.
Scammers will ask for your personal bank information, such as your savings account number, PIN number, or even your social security number. If you give them this information, they can use it to create fake checks or trick your bank into sending real ones to them.
Here are some common phishing and smishing scams to be aware of:
- Making false promises in the hopes of receiving personal data and money.
- Posing as legitimate companies with questions about your account or transactions.
- Requesting donations for a charitable cause by posing as a community organizer or politician.
- Gaining sensitive information to use it in identity theft phishing scam.
Scammers can use your personal banking information to access your funds or create fake checks. They may also be able to trick your bank into sending real checks to them from your account.
Fraud Alert Service Enrollment
To enroll in a fraud alert service, you can start by contacting your bank. Many banks, like Zions Bank and Amegy Bank, offer mobile fraud alert services that can help protect your account.
These services work by sending a text message to your mobile phone when a suspicious transaction is detected. You'll simply need to text back "Y" or "N" to confirm whether the purchase is fraudulent or not.
For example, if Zions Bank detects something suspicious, you'll receive a text message asking if the transaction is fraudulent. You can respond with a simple "Y" or "N" to let them know.
It's that simple and quick, and it works with any Zions Bank credit card or debit card. Similarly, Amegy Bank's service also works with any of their credit or debit cards.
By enrolling in a fraud alert service, you can help protect your account from potential scams and unauthorized transactions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 7 mobile banking alerts?
Our mobile banking alerts include notifications for low balance, large deposits, payment due, statement availability, unusual activity, overdraft transfers, and peer-to-peer transfers, helping you stay on top of your finances. These customizable alerts can be set up to fit your specific banking needs.
Sources
- https://www.zionsbank.com/personal/security/fraud-alerts/
- https://www.firstmerchants.com/help/security-center/mobile-texting-safety
- https://www.cathaybank.com/about-us/insights-by-cathay/bank-mobile-alert-scam
- https://www.amegybank.com/personal/security/fraud-alerts/
- https://it.uic.edu/news-stories/beware-of-a-recent-text-scam-involving-fake-bank-fraud-alerts/
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