A Scam Caller Knows Your Exact Bank Balance — Does That Mean They’re Legitimate?

A scammer may know your bank balance, account details, or recent transactions.

Verify suspicious calls independently before sharing information or moving money.

Andrey_Popov/Shutterstock The caller claims to work in your bank’s fraud department and says someone is attempting to transfer money from your checking account.

You’re skeptical until they mention something that makes your stomach drop: your exact account balance.

They know you have $18,437.62 in checking, along with the name of your bank and possibly even your recent transactions.

Surely someone with that information must be a legitimate bank employee, right?

Unfortunately, that’s not a safe assumption.

Criminals can obtain financial information through compromised accounts, stolen records, phishing attacks, and other methods.

They may then use those details to make fraudulent conversations sound convincing.

Here’s why knowing your bank balance doesn’t prove a caller’s identity and what you should do before sharing anything.

How Could a Stranger Know Your Bank Balance?

A criminal doesn’t necessarily need direct access to your bank’s internal systems to obtain sensitive financial information.

Someone may have gained access to your online banking account through stolen credentials, phishing, or compromised devices.

Continue reading at the original source →