Security Center
Your security is a shared responsibility
Scammers sometimes build fake bank websites to trick people. Learn the warning signs and how to protect yourself.
A real bank will never
- Ask for your password or one-time passcode by phone, text, or email
- Ask you to send money by gift card, crypto, or payment app to "protect" your account
- Ask you to move money to a "safe account"
- Ask you to deposit funds into someone else's wallet or CashApp to unlock a balance
- Pressure you to act immediately or keep a conversation secret
Fake bank websites
How to tell if a bank is real
- Look the bank up on the FDIC's BankFind tool or your state banking regulator before opening an account.
- Be suspicious if deposits are only accepted by crypto, gift cards, or payment apps.
- Be suspicious if an "account manager" controls your balance or asks for fees to release funds.
- This website is a student project and is not a bank. It will never ask you for money.
Protect yourself
Everyday security tips
Use strong passwords
Use a unique passphrase for online banking and never reuse it elsewhere.
Keep devices updated
Install updates for your phone, browser, and computer promptly.
Spot phishing
Check the sender, hover over links, and sign in by typing our address yourself.
Hang up and call back
If a caller says they're from your bank, hang up and call the number on your card.
Romance & investment scams
Be wary of online contacts who push you toward a bank or investment site you've never heard of.
Sign out
Sign out when you finish, especially on shared computers.
Report suspected fraud
If you think you've been targeted by a scam, contact your real bank right away and report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. To report misuse of this demo's name, use our contact form.