TL;DR: Scam texts pretending to be Wells Fargo claim your account is suspended, a card is locked or a transfer needs confirming. If you didn’t respond, forward the message to reportphish@wellsfargo.com (and to 7726). If you clicked or shared anything, call Wells Fargo on 1-866-867-5568. Wells Fargo says its staff won’t ask for your password, won’t ask you to move money or send your card, and won’t pressure you into urgent action.
The usual versions
- “Wells Fargo: Your account has been suspended due to unusual sign-in activity. Restore access: [link].”
- “Wells Fargo Fraud Dept: Did you authorize a $799.99 purchase? Reply Y/N.”
- “Your card ending 0000 is locked. Call 1-8xx-…”
The tell is the same in every version: a problem you didn’t know about, a deadline, and a link or number supplied by the message.
What Wells Fargo says it won’t do
From Wells Fargo’s phishing report page:
- bank representatives won’t ask for your password or other sensitive information;
- a legitimate bank won’t ask you to transfer money or send your card;
- your bank won’t contact you out of the blue and pressure you into urgent action.
Pin that list on the fridge for anyone who answers the phone in your house.
How to report
- You didn’t respond: forward the text or email to reportphish@wellsfargo.com, and forward texts to 7726 for your carrier. If the forward bounces, just delete it.
- You clicked or shared information: call 1-866-867-5568 right away.
If you think a real alert came in
Real banks do send fraud alerts. Don’t use the message to check. Open the Wells Fargo app or call the number on your card. If it was real, the alert will be there.
After a slip-up
- Call Wells Fargo on 1-866-867-5568.
- Change your online banking password and enable two-step verification.
- Check transfers and Zelle activity.
- Report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- If personal details were taken, see locking down accounts.
Why you got it (even if you don’t bank there)
Scam texts go to millions of numbers, many bought from breach data. Most recipients aren’t even customers. A free email exposure check shows whether your details are in known breaches. See also how US bank impersonation works.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I report a fake Wells Fargo text?
Forward it to reportphish@wellsfargo.com and to 7726. If you responded, call 1-866-867-5568.
Will Wells Fargo ask for my password by text or phone?
No. Wells Fargo says representatives won’t ask for your password or other sensitive information.
Will Wells Fargo ask me to move money to protect it?
No. A legitimate bank won’t ask you to transfer money or send your card.
How do I check if a Wells Fargo alert is real?
Open the Wells Fargo app or call the number on your card. Don’t use links or numbers in the text.