Your family could be one phone call from a bank scam

Someone you love could be standing at a bank counter right now, ready to wire money to a stranger. The voice in their ear may sound calm, official and urgent. Yet it could belong to a professional scammer who has already coached them on what to say.

According to the FBI's 2025 Internet Crime Report, reported losses from internet crime exceeded $20 billion. The FTC also says impostor scams remained the top scam category in 2025, with reported losses rising to $3.5 billion.

Those numbers are alarming. However, the real story often starts with one phone call.

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HOW TO STOP IMPOSTOR BANK SCAMS BEFORE THEY DRAIN YOUR WALLET

Darius Kingsley, Head of Consumer Fraud and Scam Prevention at JPMorgan Chase, sat down with me for my CyberGuy Report podcast at CyberguyPodcast.com to explain what these scams look like from inside the bank. He also shared how tellers spot red flags and what families can do before money disappears.

Kingsley says scammers often begin by creating fear and urgency. Many pretend to be law enforcement or another trusted authority.

"What they're going to do is they're going to bring urgency," Kingsley said. "One of the most common scams when you get someone on the phone is law enforcement, so you think you're talking to the police."

That fake authority can make smart people freeze. The caller may cite a real agency. They may even use the name of a real agent. Once fear kicks in, the scammer starts giving instructions.

By the time a victim walks into a bank branch, the scammer may already have a script ready. "They will have coached you," Kingsley said. "They will have told you already what it is you need to say."

That can include a fake reason for the withdrawal. The scammer may tell the victim to say the money is for a home renovation or a family member. They may also warn that the bank will ask questions.

Even worse, some scammers tell victims the bank is part of the problem. "They may even tell you that the bank is in on it," Kingsley said. That one lie can make a friendly banker look suspicious to the victim. It also makes the scam harder to stop.

If a teller starts chatting with you during a large withdrawal, it may feel nosy. Kingsley says there is a good reason for that. Most transactions are legitimate. People withdraw cash for contractors, family help or personal reasons all the time.

So bankers cannot treat every unusual request like a crime. Instead, they look for clues. Kingsley says bank staff may notice someone who seems nervous, stays on the phone or gives a story that starts to fall apart." We teach them to look for things like people maybe being on the phone at the same time, or just seeming very nervous or their stories falling apart," he said.

That conversation at the counter may be more important than you realize. It could be the last chance to stop a wire, cash withdrawal or transfer before the money is gone. So, if your bank asks questions, do not take it personally. That pause may protect you.

GOT A BANK TRANSFER ALERT TEXT? IT MIGHT BE A SCAM; HERE’S WHAT TO DO

Many people still picture a scammer as one person sitting in a basement with a phone. Kingsley says that can happen. However, the larger threat now includes organized scam centers overseas.

He pointed to scam compounds in Southeast Asia, where criminal groups use trafficked workers to target Americans. "They take their passports and the office building has barbed wire around it, and they're stuck," Kingsley said.

That detail is chilling. It means some scam callers may also be victims of brutal criminal networks. Kingsley said those operations can be tied to cartels, drug traffickers or arms merchants.

The money does not stay in one place for long. Once a victim sends it, scammers often move it quickly through accounts and overseas. That is why speed matters so much after a scam.

The best time to stop a scam is before the money moves. That means families need to notice behavior changes, not only strange emails or suspicious links.

Kingsley says relatives should pay attention when someone suddenly needs privacy around money, rushes to the bank or becomes defensive about a transaction. "You have to kind of notice or observe people getting defensive," he said.

Other red flags include a loved one staying on the phone while heading to the bank, refusing to explain why they need cash or acting unusually stressed about a payment.

Crypto ATMs are another major warning sign. If someone is feeding cash into a crypto kiosk while following phone instructions, treat it like an emergency. Do not shame them. Interrupt the transaction calmly. Then help them call their bank using the number on the back of their card.

BEWARE FAKE CREDIT CARD ACCOUNT RESTRICTION SCAMS

If you think you or someone in your family sent money to a scammer, act fast. Waiting can make recovery harder.

"The best thing you can do is act immediately," Kingsley said. "Contact your bank immediately."

That call is important because banks may be able to freeze or trace funds in some cases. There is no guarantee, but time can make a difference.

Kingsley also urges victims to file a police report and report the scam to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center at IC3.gov.

"A lot of people don't do that step," he said. Reporting may not bring the money back right away. Still, it helps law enforcement understand the scale of the problem and connect cases.

A few simple safeguards can make it much harder for scammers to rush you or someone you love into a costly mistake.

Log in to your bank account and make sure fraud alerts are active. Use text, email or app alerts for large withdrawals, transfers and card activity. Kingsley says this basic step matters. "Go in and check and make sure your fraud alerts are turned on," he said.

Turn on two-factor authentication (2FA) for your bank, email and financial apps. That extra step can block criminals who get your password. Use an authenticator app when possible. Text codes are better than nothing, but they can be vulnerable if a criminal takes over your phone number.

Ask your bank or brokerage if you can add a trusted contact. This person cannot make transactions for you. However, the bank may be able to reach them if something looks wrong. Kingsley said Chase offers trusted contacts on deposit accounts and investment accounts. Other financial institutions may offer a similar option.

Set a private family code word for urgent money requests. If someone calls claiming to be a grandchild, police officer or lawyer, ask for the code word. If they do not know it, hang up and call the family member directly using a number you already trust.

Scammers can sound more believable when they already know your name, address, relatives or other personal details. A data removal service can help remove your information from people-search sites and data broker lists, making it harder for criminals to build a convincing story around you or your family. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com

Scammers hate delays. They want victims to act before they think. So make one family rule: no wire transfer, crypto payment, gift card purchase or large cash withdrawal happens because of a phone call alone. Hang up. Call the bank. Call a relative. Then decide.

If a loved one says they cannot talk about a money request, take that seriously. Scammers often coach victims to hide the transaction from family, bank staff or police. A real government agency, bank or law enforcement office will not demand secrecy while pushing someone to move money.

Call the bank immediately. Then file a police report and report the scam to IC3.gov. You can also report fraud to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

Here is the part that matters most: falling for a scam does not make someone foolish. It makes them human. These criminals know how to use fear, shame and urgency. They know how to sound official. They know how to push people into action before anyone else can step in. Kingsley's advice points to one simple truth. Your family's best protection may be one honest conversation before the phone rings. Talk about the warning signs. Set a code word. Agree that no one moves money under pressure. Because the moment someone you love is standing at that bank counter, the scam may already be in motion. 

You can hear my full conversation with Darius Kingsley on the CyberGuy Report podcast at CyberguyPodcast.com, where we dig deeper into how these scams unfold inside the bank and what families can do before money disappears.

Have you or someone in your family ever been pressured to move money by a caller who sounded official, but turned out to be a scammer?  Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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