The Federal Bureau of Investigation has issued a public warning about an increase in financial account takeover fraud targeting American bank customers. In recent months, over $262 million has been stolen through such scams, with more than 5,100 cases reported since January 2025. The FBI cautions that the actual number of victims and financial losses are likely much higher than recorded.
According to the FBI, the method employed by criminals is deceptively simple: they contact potential victims under the guise of customer support or bank employees. The scammers often claim to be addressing suspicious charges or urgent account issues to elicit sensitive information such as login credentials and two-factor authentication codes. This straightforward yet effective approach allows them to gain unauthorized access, reset accounts, and lock out the legitimate owners.
The bureau's investigation reveals that the scammers instruct victims to follow links that lead to fraudulent banking websites designed to harvest personal account details. Once the criminals acquire this information, they can swiftly siphon funds from the victims' accounts, often moving the stolen money to accounts linked to cryptocurrency wallets, complicating the tracing and recovery of the assets.
The FBI's advisory underscores the importance of skepticism when receiving unsolicited communications about bank account problems. They highlight the criminals' exploitation of fear and urgency to manipulate victims into complying. To combat this threat, the agency recommends hanging up on any unexpected calls regarding bank issues and verifying the authenticity of the call by contacting the financial institution directly through official channels.
Emphasizing the universal reach of these crimes, the FBI notes that individuals across the socioeconomic spectrum are at risk. The impact of such fraud can be devastating, whether it results in the loss of substantial savings or the funds needed for monthly expenses.
Federal officials are stressing the necessity for caution, patience, and verification to ensure account security. The advisory concludes with a clear directive to the public: "Be suspicious of unknown banking or company employees who call you. Hang up, verify the correct number, and call it yourself."
