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Don’t tap a link in an unexpected message claiming to be from your bank. Instead, verify the request through the bank’s official app, a website address you already know, or a phone number you trust. You can also use your phone’s built-in message controls to screen or block suspicious conversations, then enroll in bank alerts through the bank itself. Those controls reduce exposure, but they do not prove that a message is genuine or guarantee that an alert will arrive immediately.

What to do when a text claims to be from your bank

The Federal Trade Commission advises: “If you get a text message you weren’t expecting and it asks you to give some personal or financial information, don’t click on any links.” Open your bank’s known app, type its official web address yourself, or call a number you already know is genuine. Do not rely on a phone number or link in the suspicious message. (Federal Trade Commission, How to Recognize and Report Spam Text Messages.)

  • Do not reply with passwords, account details, or one-time verification codes.
  • If the message claims there is urgent activity, check your account through a trusted channel rather than following its instructions.
  • In the U.S., forward the text to 7726 (SPAM), use your messaging app’s spam or junk-reporting feature, and/or report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Your wireless provider may offer additional blocking tools. These reporting routes are U.S.-specific; elsewhere, use your local consumer-protection and carrier channels.

Screen unknown texts on iPhone

On iPhone, Messages can screen messages from unknown senders so they are moved out of the main conversation list. Apple’s iOS 26-era instructions use this path:

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  1. Open Messages.
  2. Tap Filters, then Manage Filtering.
  3. Turn on Screen Unknown Senders.

Check the Unknown Senders area periodically so you do not miss a legitimate bank notice or verification code. You can adjust notification controls, but choose allowed categories carefully: fewer interruptions can also make genuine messages easier to overlook. In iOS 26, link access may require marking a sender as known first. Filtering and link behavior can vary by iOS version and region; screening is not a judgment that a message is fraudulent. See Apple’s instructions for filtering unknown senders and its iOS 26 message-filtering guidance.

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Block or report a text in Google Messages on Android

In Google Messages, blocking stops a conversation from appearing as a normal ongoing thread and moves it to Spam & blocked. To block a suspicious sender:

  1. Open Google Messages and press and hold the conversation.
  2. Tap Block. If offered, choose Report spam as well.
  3. Confirm the choice.

You can block without reporting. Google says a spam report may include the sender’s number and recent messages; a report to a carrier may include the number and most recent text. Review Google’s block, report, and spam protections guidance for details. Labels and available controls can vary with the app version and device.

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How the phone options differ

Option What it does What to watch for
iPhone Messages: Screen Unknown Senders Screens unknown senders and separates their messages from the main conversation list. Check the filtered area for legitimate bank messages or codes; iOS version and region can affect behavior.
Google Messages: Block Blocks the conversation and places it in Spam & blocked. You can block without reporting; app labels may vary by version.
Google Messages: Report spam Reports the conversation and blocks the sender. A report may share the sender’s number and recent messages with Google; a carrier report may include the number and most recent text.
Bank alerts Notifies you about selected account or security events through channels the bank supports. Enrollment, event choices, and delivery timing depend on the bank; alerts do not authenticate an incoming text.
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Enable alerts through your bank

Sign in through your bank’s official app or a website address you know, then find its alerts settings. Choose relevant events—such as transactions, balance thresholds, payments, or security activity where available—and confirm both the delivery method and destination details. Options may include text, email, or push notifications, depending on the bank and account.

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Chase example

For Chase, the app path is person icon → Alerts & messages → Manage alerts. On the website, use Profile & settings → Alerts. Chase customers can choose text, email, or push for supported account events. Chase says many alerts are processed at the end of business days, while some are immediate, and delays can occur. Alert types and timing vary; consult Chase’s alert sign-up information for current details.

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Bank of America example

Bank of America recommends enabling app notifications for security and account alerts. It says it sends automatic security alerts for unusual activity and address changes. This describes that bank’s stated behavior, not a guarantee about every bank. See Bank of America’s alerts information.

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Make alerts useful without treating them as proof

  • Use the bank’s own app or known website to enroll; do not enroll through a link in an unsolicited text.
  • Select the event types and channels that suit your account, and check that the phone number, email address, or app notification destination is current.
  • Keep checking your account directly when something seems wrong. A delayed or missing alert does not establish that a transaction did not happen.
  • Use message filtering as a screening aid, not as a way to authenticate the sender. A message that reaches your inbox can still be fraudulent, and a filtered message can be legitimate.

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