I just got a very legit sounding call from a bank saying "hey, a transaction on your account was flagged for possible fraud, please contact us"
Why it sounds/looks legit:
The number showed as a Bank of America number.
The voicemail (I didn't answer) says they don't give account or transaction information over the phone without account holder verification procedures. This is true for banks and financial institutions.
Banks will flag transaction that look like fraud/are suspicious and contact the account holder to verify and approve/deny the transaction.
They ask me to call them about the transaction. They leave a 1-800 customer service number that looks legit. I looked up the customer service numbers for Bank of America, this is not a listed number.
As someone that worked in banks, if you ever, EVER, receive a call, text, or email like this here is what you should do:
Do not give them any information. If it is actually your bank, they have it all.
Do not confirm any information. Absolutely nothing.
On the phone, tell them you are hanging up and will call them back. Your bank will have 0 problem with this. The rep from the bank will likely put a temporary note in your account records saying what is happening so the next rep to answer the phone knows what is going on and/or which department you need to talk to.
Stay calm. Scammers will often make you feel this is urgent! Don't hang up, we need to do this really fast! This is a security thing! We can't wait! This fake Bank of America number has already called me again saying this is urgent. This is FALSE. Yes, your bank would like to resolve this as quickly and painlessly as possible but they can also put holds and freezes on the account so nothing else can happen until the activity is confirmed by you. Your bank can deny the transaction. They have options that are not "give us all your info right now!"
Call them back at a trusted number! Do not call the number that they just called you from or whatever number they tell you to call. Your bank and credit cards almost always has the customer service number(s) printed on the back. Or go to your internet banking, the number will also be available there. I looked up the Bank of America numbers, the one they gave me on the call is not a listed verifiable BoA number.
Do not text or email them back. I don't have those communications approved on my accounts so I know it is fake if I get one, but if you do use those, sign in to your bank account and start a new chat/text through a known official platform.
When you call or otherwise contact your bank/credit card they will need to verify it is actually you. This is why it is so important to call, text, or otherwise contact them through a known and verified source. Websites can be faked, phone numbers can be faked. That is why I recommend calling the number printed on your card or logging into your account/card app. Especially if you already feel anxious. You can also go into your bank if you prefer.
This call looked and sounded very very real and could easily trick someone. In this case it was easy to spot because I don't have a Bank of America account.
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