An email says my bank account is locked. Should I click the link?
You will learn why to skip the link and check your bank safely.
Scary "account locked" emails want you to panic and click. The link often goes to a fake copy of your bank's page. It steals your login.
Do not click the link or call the number in the email. Banks do not lock you out by surprise email. They will not rush you like this.
Open your bank a safe way instead. Type the web address yourself, or use the bank's own app. Or call the number on the back of your card.
- Do not click any link in the email.
- Close the email for now.
- Open your bank app or type the site yourself.
- Check if there is really a problem.
- Call the number on the back of your card if unsure.
- Delete the email if it was fake.
I got an email saying my [bank] account is locked, with a link. Please explain in simple words how fake bank emails trick people. Give me 5 safe steps to check my account without clicking the link.
Paste it into ChatGPT, then change the words in brackets to fit you. It opens in a new tab, so you will not lose this page.
Never type your password into a page you reached from an email link.