Yes, Bank of America does call customers, but most calls are about specific account activity
Bank of America calls customers for legitimate reasons: fraud alerts, overdue payments, collections on charged-off accounts, and to confirm large transactions. The bank also calls to market products and services, though you can opt out of those calls. The problem is that scammers impersonate Bank of America constantly, so you need to know the difference between a real call and a fake one.
A real Bank of America call will never ask you to confirm your full Social Security number, PIN, or online password over the phone. The bank already has that information. If someone calling claims to be from Bank of America and asks for these details, hang up and call the number on the back of your card or log into your account online to check for alerts.
Key Takeaways
- Bank of America calls about fraud alerts, late payments, and account holds, but never asks for your PIN, password, or full Social Security number during an inbound call.
- Scammers spoof Bank of America's phone number to make calls appear legitimate, so verify by hanging up and calling the official number on your card or statement.
- You can opt out of marketing calls by saying so during the call or by calling 1-800-432-1000, but the bank will still call about account issues and fraud.
- If you suspect fraud, report it to Bank of America's fraud line at 1-800-432-1000 and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Why Bank of America calls and what they typically say
Bank of America initiates calls for account-related reasons. The most common are fraud detection (the bank noticed unusual activity on your card), payment reminders (your account is past due), and transaction verification (a large purchase triggered a security hold). The bank also calls about credit products, checking accounts, and investment services if you have not opted out of marketing calls.
When the bank calls about fraud, the agent will describe the suspicious transaction and ask if you made it. They will not ask you to verify your identity by reciting your Social Security number or password. If they do, it is a scam. Legitimate fraud calls are brief and specific: "We saw a charge for $800 at a gas station in Nevada. Did you authorize this?"
Collections calls are different. If your account is severely past due or has been charged off, Bank of America or a third-party debt collector may call repeatedly. These calls are legally required to stop if you send a written request, though the debt itself does not disappear.
How to tell if a Bank of America call is real
The safest method is to hang up and call back. Use the number on the back of your debit or credit card, on your statement, or on bankofamerica.com. Do not use a number the caller gave you. This takes two minutes and eliminates all doubt.
Real Bank of America calls have these traits: the agent knows your name and account type (checking, savings, credit card), they reference a specific transaction or account issue, and they never ask for your full Social Security number, PIN, or online password. They may ask the last four digits of your Social Security number to verify your identity, which is normal.
Fake calls often have these red flags: the caller is vague about why they are calling, they pressure you to act immediately, they ask for sensitive information, the line quality is poor or there is background noise that sounds like a call center, or they claim you have won something or owe money without details. Scammers also spoof Bank of America's real phone number, so caller ID alone is not proof.
Opting out of marketing calls from Bank of America
You can decline marketing calls during the call itself by telling the agent you do not want to receive them. You can also call Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000 and ask to be removed from marketing call lists. This request applies to your entire relationship with the bank, not just one account.
Opting out of marketing calls does not stop the bank from calling about fraud, late payments, or account holds. Those calls are about account management, not marketing, and are legally required to continue. You also cannot opt out of calls from third-party debt collectors if your account is in collections, though you can send them a written cease-and-desist letter.
What to do if you receive a suspicious call claiming to be Bank of America
Hang up immediately. Do not press any buttons or provide any information. Then call Bank of America directly at 1-800-432-1000 using the number on your card or statement. Tell them you received a suspicious call and ask if there is any account activity that would explain it. The bank can check their call logs and tell you whether they initiated contact.
If the caller claimed you owe money or have a fraud alert, log into your Bank of America account online or through the mobile app to check your account status. Real alerts will appear there. If you see nothing unusual and the call was threatening or asked for sensitive information, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. You can also file a complaint with your state's attorney general office.
If the scammer obtained your information or you provided any details before realizing it was fake, contact Bank of America's fraud line immediately and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
How Bank of America verifies your identity on legitimate calls
When Bank of America calls you, the agent will use information only the bank would know: your name, the type of account, recent transactions, or the last four digits of your Social Security number. They may ask you to confirm a transaction amount or the date of a purchase. This is normal verification.
What they will not do is ask you to say or type your full Social Security number, your PIN, your online password, or your full credit card number. If an agent asks for these, end the call. Bank of America already has this information in their system and has no reason to ask for it during an inbound call.
Reporting fraud and protecting your account
If you believe you received a fraudulent call or if someone used your information without permission, report it to Bank of America at 1-800-432-1000. The bank can freeze your account, issue a new card, and investigate unauthorized transactions. Most unauthorized charges are reversed within one to two billing cycles if reported promptly.
You can also file a report with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The FTC does not investigate individual cases but uses reports to identify patterns and pursue scammers. Include the phone number that called you, the date and time, what the caller said, and whether you provided any information.
Consider placing a fraud alert with the credit bureaus if a scammer obtained your Social Security number or other sensitive information. A fraud alert tells lenders to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. You can place one for free by contacting any of the three bureaus: Equifax (1-800-525-6285), Experian (1-888-397-3742), or TransUnion (1-888-909-8872).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Bank of America call me about a debt I do not recognize?
Yes. If your account is past due or has been charged off, Bank of America or a third-party collector may call. Ask the caller to send you written verification of the debt. You have the right to request this in writing, and they must stop calling if you send a cease-and-desist letter, though the debt remains.
What if a caller says they are from Bank of America fraud but I did not authorize the call?
Hang up and call 1-800-432-1000 directly. Ask if the bank initiated any calls to you. If not, report the call to the FTC. Real fraud calls are about specific transactions; scammers often use vague language or pressure you to act fast.
Will Bank of America call me if I have a credit freeze?
Yes. A credit freeze prevents new accounts from being opened in your name, but it does not stop Bank of America from calling about your existing accounts. The bank will still call about fraud, late payments, and account holds.
How do I know if a call about a late payment is real?
Real payment reminder calls reference your account type and the amount owed. The agent will not ask for your password or full Social Security number. Log into your account online to confirm you are actually past due, or call the bank directly using the number on your statement.
Can I record a Bank of America call?
It depends on your state. Some states require all parties to consent to recording; others require only one party to know. Check your state's recording laws before recording. Bank of America may record calls for quality and fraud prevention purposes, which they disclose at the start of the call.