The FBI has issued a major warning that could affect every American with a bank account.
According to federal officials, a simple phone call or message can give criminals access to your savings and drain your account in minutes.
Authorities say this is not a sophisticated hack or complex breach.
Instead, it is a direct attack on everyday bank customers who unknowingly hand their account information over to criminals pretending to be banking employees.
The scheme is linked to a surge in financial account takeover fraud. Since January 2025, more than $262 million has been stolen across 5,100 reported cases, according to a federal alert. Investigators believe the actual number is likely far higher.
The FBI says criminals contact victims by posing as customer support, bank workers, or fraud prevention agents. They may claim there are suspicious charges, hacked accounts, or urgent problems that need attention. The goal is to get the victim to reveal login information or two-factor authentication codes.
Officials explained that the targets are manipulated into giving credentials willingly. Once a criminal gets the username, passwords, and verification codes, they can reset the account and lock out the victim completely.
In many cases, the scammers tell the victim to click a link to “report fraud” or “prevent future transactions.” The link directs them to a fake banking website designed to capture login information instantly.
The FBI has warned that many of the accounts used to move stolen money are connected to cryptocurrency wallets. When funds are transferred to digital transactions, the money becomes much harder to trace or recover.
Investigators emphasized that criminals often lie about stopping fraudulent charges in order to create panic. They rely on fear, urgency, and a sense of authority to gain a person’s trust, Forbes reported.
The warning highlights that these crimes affect everyone, regardless of wealth. Whether a person has a large balance or just a few hundred dollars for bills, the effect is devastating.
Authorities say this type of crime has rapidly grown because scammers do not need expensive tools or technical training. All they need is a phone number, a convincing script, and a victim willing to listen.
Federal officials are urging Americans to be skeptical of anyone claiming to be from their bank. Caller ID cannot be trusted, as criminals can spoof phone numbers to make it appear legitimate.
The FBI advises Americans to hang up immediately if anyone unexpectedly calls about bank problems. Customers should then contact their financial institution directly using the official phone number found on the back of their bank card or on a verified bank website.
The agency stressed that account security depends on caution, patience, and verification. A few seconds of hesitation could be the difference between safety and losing everything.
“Be suspicious of unknown banking or company employees who call you,” the FBI warned in its advisory. “Hang up, verify the correct number, and call it yourself.”
