Bank of America does call customers, but most calls about fraud, overdue accounts, or suspicious activity are real
Bank of America initiates outbound calls to customers for specific reasons: to confirm suspicious transactions, notify you of account holds, collect on past-due balances, or alert you to potential fraud on your account. These calls come from verified Bank of America numbers and staff who can confirm details only you would know. The key difference between a legitimate Bank of America call and a scam is that the bank will never ask you to confirm sensitive information like your full account number, PIN, or Social Security number during an unsolicited call — they already have it.
Scammers impersonate Bank of America constantly. They call claiming your account is locked, a fraudulent charge was detected, or you need to "verify" information when ready. The pressure and urgency are the giveaway. A real Bank of America representative will tell you to hang up, call the number on the back of your card, and verify the call in your online banking portal or app.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America calls about fraud alerts, account holds, overdue payments, and suspicious activity — these are legitimate reasons the bank contacts you.
- Real Bank of America calls will never ask you to provide your full account number, PIN, password, or Social Security number over the phone.
- If you are unsure whether a call is real, hang up and call the number on the back of your debit or credit card to verify the call yourself.
- Scammers use urgency and threats (account locked, legal action, when ready payment) to pressure you into giving information or sending money.
- You can report suspected fraud calls to Bank of America's fraud department and to the Federal Trade Commission.
Why Bank of America calls customers
Bank of America initiates calls for a narrow set of reasons, all tied to account security or payment status. A fraud alert call happens when the bank's systems detect a transaction that does not match your normal spending pattern — a large purchase in a different state, a card used at an ATM you do not usually visit, or a charge in a currency you do not typically use. The bank calls to ask whether you authorized the transaction. If you did not, they can block the card and issue a replacement.
Account hold calls occur when the bank freezes part or all of your account due to suspicious activity, a large deposit that needs verification, or a report of fraud. The bank will call to explain the hold and tell you what documents or information they need to lift it. Overdue payment calls happen when you have missed a payment on a credit card, loan, or line of credit — these calls escalate over time, starting as a courtesy reminder and becoming more formal if the account remains unpaid. Finally, the bank may call to notify you of a security issue affecting your account, such as a data breach or unauthorized access attempt.
How to verify a Bank of America call is real
The safest method is to end the call and initiate contact yourself. Hang up on the caller (even if they say it is Bank of America), then dial the number on the back of your debit card, credit card, or loan statement. Ask to be transferred to the department that supposedly called you — fraud, collections, or account services. If the call was real, the representative you reach will have a record of the outbound call and can confirm what was discussed.
During a legitimate Bank of America call, the representative will have access to information only you would know: the last four digits of your account number, recent transactions, your address, or the amount of your last payment. They may ask you to confirm this information, but they will never ask you to state your full account number, PIN, password, or full Social Security number. If a caller demands any of these, it is a scam.
Check your Bank of America online account or mobile app for alerts. Real fraud alerts, account holds, and payment notices appear in your account dashboard or in the Messages section of your online banking portal. If you received a call but see no corresponding alert in your account, the call was likely fraudulent.
Red flags that a call is a scam
Scammers use high-pressure tactics because they need you to act before you think. Common warning signs include threats of legal action, account closure, or arrest if you do not provide information or send money when ready. A real Bank of America representative will give you time to verify the call and will not threaten you with consequences for hanging up.
Requests for payment by wire transfer, gift card, or cryptocurrency are always scams. Bank of America will never ask you to send money this way to resolve a fraud claim, pay an overdue balance, or unlock your account. If a caller insists on payment by these methods, hang up and report the call to the bank and the Federal Trade Commission.
Callers who claim to be from Bank of America but ask you to read software, click a link, or visit a website to "verify" your account are running a phishing scam. Legitimate Bank of America representatives will not direct you to external websites or ask you to install anything. If you are unsure, tell the caller you will contact the bank directly using the number on your card.
What to do if you receive a suspicious call
Do not provide any information. Hang up when ready if the caller asks for your account number, PIN, password, Social Security number, or payment information. Do not confirm even partial information like your address or date of birth — scammers can use fragments of real data to build a convincing story.
Call Bank of America directly using the number on your card or statement. Tell them about the call and ask whether it was legitimate. The bank can check your account for any unusual activity and confirm whether they initiated contact. If the call was fraudulent, the bank will document it in your account.
Report the call to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Include the phone number the caller used, the time of the call, what they claimed, and what information they requested. The FTC tracks fraud patterns and uses these reports to identify scam networks.
How to reduce unwanted calls from scammers
Do not share your Bank of America account number, phone number, or other identifying information on public websites, social media, or with unknown callers. Scammers buy lists of phone numbers and account details from data breaches and use them to target people. The less information in circulation, the fewer calls you will receive.
Register your phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov. This will not stop all scam calls — scammers ignore the registry — but it reduces calls from legitimate telemarketers and makes it easier to identify which calls are likely fraudulent.
Enable call filtering on your phone. Most smartphones have built-in spam detection that flags likely scam calls. You can also use third-party apps like Nomorobo or RoboKiller to block known scam numbers. These tools do not catch every scam, but they reduce the volume of unwanted calls you receive.
What Bank of America will and will not do on a call
| Bank of America will do this | Bank of America will never do this |
|---|---|
| Ask you to confirm the last four digits of your account number | Ask you to state your full account number |
| Ask whether you authorized a specific transaction | Demand when ready payment by wire, gift card, or cryptocurrency |
| Tell you to hang up and call the bank back to verify | Threaten legal action or arrest if you do not comply |
| Explain a hold or fraud alert in your account | Ask you to read software or click a link to verify your account |
| Offer to send you a find message in your online banking portal | Ask for your PIN, password, or full Social Security number |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I block Bank of America from calling me?
You can ask the bank to stop calling you about collections or marketing, but you cannot block fraud alerts or security notifications — these are important for protecting your account. If you want to stop collection calls, contact the bank in writing and request that they communicate by mail only. For marketing calls, you can opt out through your online banking settings or by calling customer service.
What if I gave information to a scammer who claimed to be from Bank of America?
Contact Bank of America when ready using the number on your card. Tell them what information you provided and when. The bank can monitor your account for unauthorized activity, freeze your accounts if needed, and issue new cards. Also report the call to the Federal Trade Commission. If the scammer obtained your Social Security number, consider placing a fraud alert with the credit bureaus.
Why does Bank of America call from different numbers?
Bank of America uses multiple phone numbers for outbound calls depending on which department is calling — fraud, collections, customer service. You can verify any number by hanging up and calling the main customer service line on your card. Scammers also spoof Bank of America numbers to make their calls look legitimate, so never trust the caller ID alone.
Will Bank of America ever call me about a prize or refund?
No. Bank of America will never call to tell you that you have won a prize, are owed a refund, or need to claim money. These are common scam tactics. If you are expecting a refund, you will see it in your account or receive a notice in your online banking portal — not a phone call from someone claiming to represent the bank.
What should I do if I recognize the call is a scam while it is happening?
Hang up when ready. Do not engage with the scammer or try to waste their time. Do not provide any information, even if they claim they already have part of it. After you hang up, call Bank of America directly to report the call and check your account for any suspicious activity.