If someone claiming to be from your bank asks for a verification code, your password, remote access to your device, or a transfer to a “safe” account, stop communicating. Contact your bank using its official app or website, or the number on your card or a recent statement. A convincing voice, caller ID, text, or video is not proof that the contact is genuine.
What to do first
- End the conversation. Hang up, stop replying, and do not click links, open attachments, install apps, or follow instructions from the suspicious contact.
- Contact your bank independently. Use the bank’s official app or type its known website address yourself, or call the number printed on your card or a recent statement. Do not use a number or link supplied by the caller or message. The FTC warns that fake bank numbers can also appear in paid search results; see its guidance on unexpected calls claiming your money is at risk.
- Do not move money or share access. Never transfer funds to a purported safe account, disclose a one-time passcode or verification code, give out credentials, or allow a stranger remote access to your device. The FTC says a caller who asks for a verification code or tells you to move money to protect it is a scammer, not your bank’s fraud department: FTC guidance on bank-fraud calls.
If you already shared a code, password, or device access
Call the bank’s fraud team immediately using a trusted number or in-app contact option. Explain exactly what you shared and when. Ask the bank to secure affected accounts, block or replace compromised cards or credentials, review recent activity, and tell you whether other linked accounts or payment methods need attention.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Change any exposed password. If you reused it elsewhere, change it on those services too, starting with email and other accounts that could be used to reset financial logins. Use a unique password for each account and enable multifactor authentication where available. The FBI’s account-takeover alert advises victims to reset compromised and reused credentials.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute2Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors3Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesIf you sent money or see a transaction you did not authorize
Tell the bank promptly what happened and ask it to attempt a recall or reversal. The FBI advises contacting the financial institution as soon as fraud is recognized; for a fraudulent wire, notify both the bank and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) immediately. A transfer you were tricked into authorizing may be treated differently from a transaction made without your authorization, so describe the circumstances accurately and ask the bank how the rules apply to that specific payment.
#1 Best Overall
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5C NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5C NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5C NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
For an unauthorized electronic fund transfer, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) says the institution generally has ten business days after notice to investigate. If it determines an error occurred, it must correct it within one business day and report its findings within three business days. These are general timelines for covered unauthorized-transfer claims, not a promise that every scam-related loss will be reimbursed. Reporting deadlines and liability can depend on the payment type and circumstances. Read the CFPB’s guidance on unauthorized transactions and missing money, and ask your bank for advice about your transaction.
Save evidence and report the scam
Keep the original messages and any related records. Save the number, email address, website, account details the scammer supplied, transaction information, and the names of any apps or software they asked you to install. Do not delete material that may help the bank or investigators identify what happened.
Rank #2
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key C NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key C NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key C NFC via USB-C and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
- Report account takeover and fraudulent wires to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Include the impersonated institution, contact details used, websites or software involved, and relevant financial accounts.
- Report the scam to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- Notify the bank being impersonated through a trusted channel. The CFPB also identifies your state attorney general and local police as possible reporting options.
Why AI does not give you a reliable way to spot the scam
The CFPB says AI can make voice cloning and realistic images or video easier to produce, while caller ID, messages, and official-looking materials can be faked. The available guidance does not establish a dependable way to identify AI-generated audio or video. Do not try to decide whether a voice “sounds real” before acting: end the interaction and verify through a known bank channel.
The FTC’s June 2024 consumer alert, “Got a call about fraud activity on your bank account? It could be a scammer,” states: “No caller — especially someone from your bank or investment company’s fraud department — will ever ask for the verification code.” Its January 2026 alert, “How to handle unexpected calls that claim your money is at risk,” adds: “No legitimate fraud department will tell you to keep the call a secret.” Treat requests for secrecy, urgency, codes, or a protective transfer as reasons to stop and verify independently.
Rank #3
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The YubiKey 5 NFC is the most versatile physical passkey, protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with popular accounts like Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single YubiKey 5 NFC secures 100+ of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your YubiKey 5 NFC via USB and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC), to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required
- MOST SECURE PASSKEY: Supports FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, Yubico OTP, OATH-TOTP/HOTP, Smart card (PIV), and OpenPGP. That means it’s versatile, working almost anywhere you need it
- PRIMARY & SPARE KEYS: Just like having a spare house key, we recommend buying two YubiKeys - one for daily use and one as a spare. That way you’ll never get locked out of your accounts
How widespread are impersonation and account-takeover scams?
The FTC reported nearly $3 billion in losses to impersonators in 2024, describing impersonation scams as its top reported fraud year after year. That figure covers impersonators broadly—not only bank impersonation or AI-generated scams. Separately, the FBI’s November 25, 2025 account-takeover alert reported more than 5,100 account-takeover complaints and losses exceeding $262 million since January 2025. Those figures concern account-takeover fraud reported to IC3, not all impersonation scams.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- FIDO2 & Passkey Ready: Business-ready and FIDO2 L1 certified. This key is supported by major management suites and is ideal for both individual and enterprise deployment. Works seamlessly with Gmail, Facebook, GitHub, Dropbox, Coinbase, and more.
- Universal Connectivity (USB-A ): Features a built-in USB-A connector—simply unfold the key and plug it into your compatible PC or laptop for seamless authentication on the go.
- Dedicated Manager App: Use the Thetis Manager App for the initial hardware PIN setup. Setting the PIN on the device first ensures a smooth registration process. Once the PIN is configured, you can begin registering the key across your favorite FIDO2-compatible online services.
- Ultra-Durable & Portable: Featuring a rotating metal cover, this key is water, crush, and tamper-resistant. It fits easily on a keychain and requires no batteries or network connectivity.
- Check FIDO2 compatibility before purchase - Known limitations: ID Austria is not supported (requires FIDO2 Level 2). Windows Hello login only works with Windows Enterprise editions that support Entra ID, and NFC is NOT supported.
Rank #4
- POWERFUL SECURITY KEY: The Security Key NFC is the essential physical passkey for protecting your digital life from phishing attacks. It ensures only you can access your accounts.
- WORKS WITH 1000+ ACCOUNTS: Compatible with Google, Microsoft, and Apple. A single Security Key NFC secures 100 of your favorite accounts, including email, password managers, and more.
- FAST & CONVENIENT LOGIN: Plug in your Security Key NFC via USB-A and tap it, or tap it against your phone (NFC) to authenticate. No batteries, no internet connection, and no extra fees required.
- TRUSTED PASSKEY TECHNOLOGY: Uses the latest passkey standards (FIDO2/WebAuthn & FIDO U2F) but does not support One-Time Passwords. For complex needs, check out the YubiKey 5 Series.
- BUILT TO LAST: Made from tough, waterproof, and crush-resistant materials. Manufactured in Sweden and programmed in the USA with the highest security standards.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
