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Is the bank text asking 'did you make this purchase' a scam?

A typical version of this message
FRAUD ALERT: Did you attempt a purchase of $487.32 at Best Buy? Reply YES or NO. If this was not you, a fraud specialist will call you shortly to secure your account.
Why it is a bank impersonation scam
Usually yes — and this one is dangerous because real banks send similar alerts. The scam version wants you to reply NO so a convincing 'fraud specialist' can call, walk you through 'securing' your account, and talk you into reading out a one-time code or moving money to a 'safe account'. A real bank will never call and ask for codes, passwords, or transfers. The purchase it mentions never happened.
What to do
Do not reply and do not trust any call that follows. Instead, call the number printed on the back of your card and ask whether there is a fraud flag on your account — that number is always safe. Never read a texted security code to anyone on the phone: banks send those codes for you to type, not to say out loud.

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Checked by Double Check on August 31, 2026. This page documents a widely reported scam pattern; the example wording is representative, with links and personal details replaced. See more in the scam guide or recent answers.