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If you think someone got into your bank account, contact your bank immediately using a number on a statement or contact details you independently verify on its official website or app. Report suspicious activity and follow the bank’s account-specific recovery steps. Do not use a phone number, link, or instructions from an unsolicited call or message.
The guidance below focuses on U.S. federal resources. Reporting procedures, deadlines, and legal protections depend on your location and the type of transaction.
What to do first if someone got into your bank account
- Call your bank through a verified channel. Explain that you suspect an account compromise, identify any unauthorized transactions or account changes, and ask what restrictions, credential resets, or transaction controls it can apply. Do not trust caller ID or call a number supplied in an unsolicited message. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns that scammers may pose as bank fraud staff and says, “Never move or transfer your money to ‘protect’ it.” Read the FTC’s warning about fake bank-fraud calls.
- Ask about suspicious transfers promptly. If the incident involved a wire transfer, contact the originating bank immediately and ask it to request a recall or reversal. The FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) also advises reporting fraudulent wires to IC3. A recall request is not a guarantee that funds will be recovered. See IC3’s account-takeover guidance.
- Recover the login using the bank’s official process. If you can still sign in, change the password to a strong, unique one and use the bank’s option to sign out other devices or sessions if available. If you are locked out, use the bank’s official account-recovery route and contact it directly rather than following a recovery link in a message. The FTC’s account-recovery guidance recommends using the service’s official recovery process.
- Check recovery details and related accounts. Confirm the email address and phone number on your bank profile belong to you. Secure the email account used for bank recovery messages and notices. If you reused the exposed password on other accounts, change it there too.
- Review activity and keep a record. Look for unfamiliar transactions, profile changes, alerts, or new payees. Write down dates, amounts, recipients, and relevant communications, and report suspicious activity to the bank promptly.
How to protect access after contacting the bank
Use a unique password and end other sessions
Choose a password you do not use for email or any other site. If the bank offers a control to sign out other devices or revoke sessions, use it. The bank’s own recovery instructions take priority if it has temporarily restricted access or requires a particular reset process.
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Enable the strongest multi-factor authentication (MFA) method your bank supports, and protect the email account that receives recovery messages or codes. MFA options differ by institution. The FTC describes security keys as the strongest common two-factor authentication method, but a key only helps with bank access if that bank supports it. See the FTC’s guide to two-factor authentication before choosing a method.
#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
Do not give a one-time verification code to someone who called or messaged you. The FTC’s direct warning is: “Never share a verification code. Ever.” If someone claims the code is needed to stop fraud, end the conversation and call the bank using a verified number.
How to avoid a second scam
- Do not transfer money to a “safe” account or follow payment instructions from an unsolicited caller, even if the caller knows details about you or the account.
- Do not rely on caller ID, links in alerts, or contact information supplied in a message. Look up the bank’s number independently or use its official app.
- Do not share passwords, passcodes, or one-time verification codes with a caller or message sender.
- If an alert or link makes you concerned, leave it unopened and contact the bank directly. A bank-looking message can still lead to a phishing site.
The FBI also advises consumers to independently look up an organization’s contact details and avoid sharing credentials or one-time passcodes during suspected support impersonation. Its alert on financial-institution support impersonation explains this risk.
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.
Where to report the incident in the United States
If personal information may have been stolen
Use IdentityTheft.gov to report identity theft and get a recovery plan. This is a government resource; it does not replace notifying your bank about account access or transactions.
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If a wire transfer was fraudulent
Contact the originating financial institution immediately to request a recall or reversal, then report the fraudulent transfer to IC3. Other transaction types may have different reporting steps. Outside the United States, contact the relevant financial institution and local authorities or consumer-protection agencies; deadlines and remedies vary by jurisdiction and transaction, so check directly with the bank.
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
What to have ready when you contact the bank
- Your account identification details, using only the bank’s secure process for providing them.
- The dates, amounts, and recipients of transactions you do not recognize.
- Any unexpected password-reset notices, security alerts, profile changes, or communications from someone claiming to be bank staff.
- A clear account of what you clicked, shared, or approved, if anything; this helps the bank determine which access or payment controls may be needed.
Ask the bank how to submit a formal unauthorized-transaction report and what follow-up it requires. Keep the bank’s case or reference number and copies of your communications.
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.
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