Sign On 
Imagine: a scammer contacts you pretending to be someone from your bank.
It may even look like it's coming from your bank because the scammer uses spoofing technology to disguise the number on your caller ID so it appears legitimate.
The scammer may alert you to “suspicious activity” on your account and tell you that in order to correct it you’ll need to provide personal information, send a payment, or reverse a payment. They may even ask you to mail your card or provide it to a courier. In some cases, they'll ask you to go to a branch and withdraw cash or buy cashier's checks to help fund your "new account".
These are all bank imposter scams. The goal is to steal your money or private account access information like your PIN, debit card, password, or one-time access codes.
Here are the key tips to spot and avoid this type of bank scam.
Tip 1: Don’t be pressured.
Scammers rely on pressure tactics like keeping you on the phone and urging you to act quickly. If you feel pressured to act immediately or are told what to say to bank employees, end the communication. Slow down and evaluate the situation by using trusted contact methods like the number on the back of your card to contact the bank.
Tip 2: Protect your private account information.
Remember
Wells Fargo employees will not contact you and ask for your PIN, password, or one-time access codes. This information should always be protected and not shared with anyone who contacts you.
Remember
Don't rely on caller ID. Watch out for scammers who may be able to spoof a phone number so your caller ID reads "Wells Fargo." Scammers can also use fake email addresses that look real.
Tip 3: Be on the lookout for requests to send a payment to solve a problem.
Know that Wells Fargo employees will never ask you to send money to anyone – including yourself – to "reverse a transfer," "receive a refund," "protect your money," or anything similar. Remember, if a correction or new account is needed, the bank will resolve the issue without asking you to make a transfer or withdrawal.
Tip 4: Be on the lookout for transaction requests you didn't initiate.
If you receive a one-time access code that you didn't request, don't use the code or share it with anyone, even if they claim to be from your bank. One-time access codes should not be shared.
Tip 5: When in doubt, hang up and contact us directly.
If you receive a suspicious phone call that seems like bank spoofing, hang up immediately. If you receive a suspicious text or email, don’t respond. Contact Wells Fargo directly using a verified, legitimate source such as the phone number on your card, wellsfargo.com, or the Wells Fargo Mobile® app.
How to report bank impersonation call
If you received a call, sent a payment, provided one-time access codes or personal account information to someone claiming to be from Wells Fargo, call us immediately at 1-800-869-3557.
Learn more about how to spot common scams and cyber threats.
Wells Fargo will not contact you and ask for:
- Your online banking password
- Your 4-digit ATM PIN
- A one-time access code sent to your phone or email
We will never require you to:
- Provide remote access to your computer
- Send money to "secure" your account
- Instructions to act "right now" to avoid a loss.
- Requests for remote access to your device.
- An aggressive caller that tries to keep you on the phone.
- Requests for a one-time access code.
FAQ
Can scammers fake legitimate phone numbers on caller ID?
Yes. Scammers can use spoofing technology to make their call appear to be coming from your bank, a trusted business, or even a government agency.
What should I do if I already gave my information to a bank imposter?
Call Wells Fargo immediately at 1-800-TO-WELLS (1-800-869-3557). You should also change your online banking password and monitor your account for unauthorized transactions.
Will Wells Fargo ever ask me to send money to "fix" an account issue?
Never. A common tactic is for scammers to ask you to send money to "reverse" a fake transaction. Scammers do this so that they can intercept these funds.
How can I tell if a Wells Fargo fraud text is real?
A legitimate Wells Fargo fraud alert will not ask you to provide personal digits/codes. You may also contact Wells Fargo at (800) 869-3557 to verify a legitimate Wells Fargo fraud alert.
