Scam guides

Texts pretending to be Chase

Texts claiming to be Chase often ask “Did you make this transaction?” and want a Yes or No. What Chase says about them, how to check with Chase safely, and where to report one.

What the text usually says

Chase’s own list of messages that are likely scams includes the fake fraud alert: a text “claiming to be from your bank asking about a suspicious purchase, often asking you to reply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.” A reply tells the sender the number is live and opens a conversation, which can be followed by a call from someone who says they are Chase’s fraud team.

Chase’s list of likely scams also includes texts that don’t use a bank’s name at all: “We’re unable to deliver your package,” “You have an unpaid toll,” a friendly “Hi, how are you?” from a stranger, and job offers from a “recruiter.” Chase also warns that “scammers can make caller ID, emails and texts display as messages from your bank,” so a familiar sender name proves nothing on its own.

What Chase says it won’t do

Chase does text its customers — its security pages say it may contact you “by text message, push notification, email or phone call so you can review the activity.” A text from Chase is not suspicious just for existing. What matters is what it asks you to do.

Chase’s guidance on that is plain: “Legitimate banks will never ask you to move money to resolve a fraud issue.” A message, or a caller, that wants you to send money somewhere to protect it is the scam, however official it sounds.

How to check

Chase’s advice appears on every page of its Security Center: “When in doubt, contact us before you share your account information or send money. Call us using the number on the back of your card or account statement, or visit a branch location.” For a text, it says not to reply, click links or download attachments.

You can also open the Chase app you already have — not anything linked from the message — and look at the account activity yourself.

How to report it

Chase gives an address for suspicious emails, phishing@chase.com, but its pages don’t publish a way to report a text. For a text, the FTC’s advice applies: copy it and forward it to 7726 (SPAM), report it as junk in your messaging app, and report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

If you replied, tapped the link or shared anything, call Chase on the number on the back of your card.

If you already tapped the link or paid

Who to call depends on how the money left, and the sooner the better. Here is who to call for each way of paying.

Got one and not sure?

Paste it into Second Look, or text it over, and Rowan will tell you in plain English what it sees. Free, and no account.

Check a message

Sources

What Chase says is quoted from its own pages. Rowan isn’t affiliated with Chase.