The “Bank of America Unusual Activity On Account” scam is a type of phishing scam that targets Bank of America customers. The scam attempts to trick recipients into clicking the link in the text message, which goes to a fake and phishing Bank of America website that steals account credentials, personal and financial information that will be used fraudulently.
What is the “Bank of America Unusual Activity On Account” Scam?
If you are a Bank of America customer, you may have received a text message that looks something like this:
Free Msg BofA: Recently, we discovered unusual activity or updates on your account that we believe may be unauthorized.
For your security, Bank of America monitors all transactions to protect your account from misuse; You will not be able to use the ATM/Debit/Credit Card linked to this account for withdrawals or purchases until you verify your information.
Visit us at https://boavalidation-0321.ddns.net/?online to secure your account.
This text message is a scam that attempts to trick you into clicking on a link that leads to a fake and phishing Bank of America website. The website will ask you to enter your online banking credentials, personal information, and financial information, such as your account number, PIN, Social Security number, or card details. The scammers will then use this information to access your account and steal your money or identity.
This scam is known as a “smishing” scam, which is a form of phishing that uses text messages instead of emails. Smishing scams are becoming more common and sophisticated, as scammers try to exploit the popularity and convenience of mobile banking.
How can you tell if a text message from Bank of America is a scam?
Here are some red flags to look out for:
– The text message creates a sense of urgency or fear by claiming that your account has been compromised or suspended, and that you need to act immediately to resolve the issue.
– The text message asks you to click on a link or call a phone number that is not from Bank of America. You can check the official Bank of America website or contact number on your statement, card, or app to verify the legitimacy of any communication.
– The text message asks you to provide sensitive information, such as your online banking username, password, verification code, account number, PIN, Social Security number, or card details. Bank of America will never text, email, or call you asking for such information.
– The text message contains spelling or grammatical errors, or uses an unprofessional tone or language.
What should you do if you receive a scam text message from Bank of America?
– Do not click on any links or call any numbers in the text message. Doing so could expose your device to malware or viruses, or connect you to a fraudulent operator who will try to trick you into giving up your information.
– Delete the text message from your device and block the sender if possible.
– Report the scam text message to Bank of America by forwarding it to abuse@bankofamerica.com. Include the number the message came from and a copy of the message itself.
– Report the scam text message to your mobile carrier by forwarding it to 7726 (which spells SPAM). This will help them identify and block spam messages for other customers.
– Monitor your bank account and credit report for any suspicious activity or unauthorized transactions. If you notice anything unusual, contact Bank of America immediately at 800-432-1000.
– If you have already clicked on the link or provided any information to the scammers, change your online banking password and security questions as soon as possible. You may also want to freeze your credit reports and place fraud alerts on them with the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Check if you’re device is infected with malware
The Bank of America Unusual Activity On Account text message may redirect to malicious sites that contain malware. If you suspect your device might be infected with malware, you can run a free scan with Malwarebytes.
Malwarebytes runs on Windows, Mac, and Android. Click the tab below for the device you want to scan, then follow the steps to remove any malware it finds.
Scan Your Computer with Malwarebytes for Windows
Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and trusted anti-malware tools for Windows — and it’s completely free for removing infections. It catches threats that many antivirus programs miss, including adware, browser hijackers, and trojans. Follow the steps below to scan your PC and remove what Malwarebytes finds.
Download Malwarebytes
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Windows from the official source. The free version is all you need — it will scan your computer and remove adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious software at no cost.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for Windows 11 and 10. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium
Malwarebytes Free for WindowsScans and removes malware at no cost-
Install Malwarebytes
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the MBSetup file. If Windows shows a User Account Control pop-up, click “Yes” to allow the installation.
Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The setup wizard will walk you through a few quick screens:
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Choose where you’re installing the program — “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer” — then click Next.
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Malwarebytes will now install on your device. This usually takes under a minute.
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When installation is complete, the “Welcome to Malwarebytes” screen will open automatically.
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On the final screen, click Open Malwarebytes to launch the program.
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Optional: Check for rootkits with a Custom Scan
You don’t need to change any settings for a normal scan. The standard Threat Scan in the next step is enough for most problems, so you can go straight to it.
If you also want to check for rootkits, use a Custom Scan. In current versions of Malwarebytes, rootkit scanning is only available there:
- On the Scanner tile, click the three-dot menu and select Advanced Scan.
- Choose Custom Scan. In its options, check Scan for rootkits.
- Select your system drive (usually C:\) as the location to scan, then start the scan. It takes longer than a Threat Scan.
- When it finishes, review and quarantine the results as described in the steps below.
Rootkit scanning isn’t available on Windows devices with ARM processors.
Start the Scan
Click the blue Scan button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its virus database and start checking your computer for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
The scan checks your entire system for browser hijackers and other malicious programs, so it can take 5 to 20 minutes depending on your computer. Feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found — malware, adware, and potentially unwanted programs. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all of them at once.
Malwarebytes will now remove the malicious files and registry entries and move them safely into quarantine.
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Restart Your Computer
Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot. If Malwarebytes asks you to restart, click Yes. Once you’re logged back in, Malwarebytes has finished removing the threats it found.
When the scan is done, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they continue, see the options below.
If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Run a computer scan with ESET Online Scanner
- Ask for help in our Windows Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan Your Mac with Malwarebytes for Mac
Malwarebytes for Mac is a free on-demand scanner that removes the malware other security software tends to miss — adware, browser hijackers, and unwanted programs included. Cleaning an infected Mac with Malwarebytes has always been completely free, and it’s our go-to recommendation. Follow the steps below to scan your Mac and remove what Malwarebytes finds.
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Download Malwarebytes for Mac
Click the button below to download the latest version of Malwarebytes for Mac.
Download MalwarebytesOfficial installer for macOS. Your download starts right away.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes PremiumMalwarebytes Free for MacScans and removes malware at no cost -
Open the Malwarebytes setup file
When the download finishes, open your Downloads folder and double-click the setup file to begin the installation.
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Follow the On-Screen Prompts to Install Malwarebytes
The Malwarebytes for Mac Installer will guide you through a few quick screens. Click “Continue” and keep following the prompts until the installation completes.
When the installation is complete, Malwarebytes opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click “Get started“.
Malwarebytes needs Full Disk Access to check your whole Mac. When it asks, open System Settings > Privacy & Security > Full Disk Access, turn on Malwarebytes (it may be listed as Malwarebytes Protection), and confirm with your password or Touch ID. Then return to Malwarebytes. On macOS Monterey and earlier, this setting is in System Preferences > Security & Privacy > Privacy.
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Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”
Malwarebytes will ask what type of computer you’re installing it on. Click either Personal Computer or Work Computer, whichever applies.
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Start the Scan
Click the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update its detection database and begin checking your Mac for malware.
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Wait for the Scan to Finish
Malwarebytes will scan your Mac for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This can take a few minutes, so feel free to do something else — just check back occasionally to see the progress.
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Quarantine the Detected Threats
When the scan is done, you’ll see a list of everything Malwarebytes found. Click the “Quarantine” button to remove all the threats at once.
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Restart Your Mac
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files it found. Some threats can only be fully removed after a reboot — if Malwarebytes asks you to restart, allow it. Once you’re logged back in, check whether the problems you noticed have stopped. If they come back, save the scan report and ask for help in our forum.
If the problems you noticed continue after the scan, see the options below.
If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan Your Phone with Malwarebytes for Android
Malwarebytes for Android scans your phone or tablet for malware, adware, and potentially unwanted apps. The free version scans only when you start a scan. Real-time protection, which checks apps automatically, is part of the paid Premium version.
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Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
Get Malwarebytes for AndroidOpens Google Play in a new tab.Want real-time protection? See Malwarebytes Premium for AndroidMalwarebytes for AndroidScans your phone and removes malware at no cost -
Install Malwarebytes for Android on your phone.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
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Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes opens, it walks you through a short setup. Tap Get started and follow the prompts. If you see an offer for a trial or a paid plan, read it before you accept. You can skip it and keep using the free scanner.
Malwarebytes will ask for permission to access the files on your phone so it can scan them. Tap Allow, or turn on the permission in the Android screen that opens, then return to Malwarebytes.
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Run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
On the main screen, tap Scan now. In some versions, you open the menu, tap Scanner, and then tap Run a scan.
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Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
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Remove the detected apps.
When the scan has been completed, you will see a list of the threats that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. Next to each detected item, tap the menu icon (three dots), then choose to uninstall the app or delete the file. Android then asks you to confirm. Tap OK or Uninstall to remove the app.
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Restart your phone.
When the detected apps are removed, restart your phone if Malwarebytes asks you to. Then check whether the problems you noticed have stopped.
If the problems you noticed continue after the scan, see the options below.
If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
- Ask for help in our Mobile Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
- Only as a last resort, reset your phone to factory settings. Read the warning below first.
- Back up your photos, videos, files, and messages, for example to your Google account or a computer.
- Make sure you know your Google account email and password. The phone asks for them after the reset. If you changed the password recently, Google recommends waiting 24 hours before you reset.
- On a Samsung phone, also make sure you know your Samsung account password.
- If you use an authenticator app for two-step verification, move your accounts to another device or save your backup codes first.
How can you prevent yourself from falling victim to smishing scams in the future?
– Be wary of any unsolicited text messages that claim to be from Bank of America or any other financial institution. Always verify the source and authenticity of any communication before responding or taking any action.
– Never share your personal or financial information with anyone over text message, email, phone call, or social media. Bank of America will never ask you for such information in these ways.
– Use strong and unique passwords for your online banking and other accounts. Do not use the same password for multiple accounts or websites. Use a password manager app to help you create and store secure passwords.
– Enable two-factor authentication for your online banking and other accounts. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a code sent to your phone or email in addition to your password when logging in.
– Update your device’s software and security settings regularly. This will help protect your device from malware and viruses that could compromise your data or steal your information.
– Educate yourself on the latest scams and fraud trends by visiting Bank of America’s Security Center or other reputable sources.
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