Wells Fargo texted me to verify a charge, is this a scam?
Last reviewed: 2026-08-01 · Checked with Hunch’s on-device engine, the same one inside the extension. How Hunch checks →
Part of our guide: How to recognize a bank-impersonation scam →
Most likely yes. Any "did you make this purchase? Verify within 24 hours" message that steers you to wellsfargo-verify.example is bank-impersonation phishing. Here's the distinction that matters: real fraud checks live inside the Wells Fargo app, and the actual bank never routes you off to a look-alike domain to sort things out. The sharper danger is the follow-up call from a counterfeit "fraud department" that reuses your reply to pressure you into transferring money or reading back a code.
Got a message like this? Paste it here →
Bank customers are trained to act quickly on fraud alerts, so a fake one carries people past the domain. Dressed as Wells Fargo with a same-day deadline, the message nudges people onto wellsfargo-verify.example or into a scripted "fraud department" call before they pause to verify inside the real app.
Illustrative example of the pattern, not a real message someone received.
How to verify it yourself
- Don't reply or tap the link. Open the Wells Fargo app or type wellsfargo.com yourself and check recent transactions.
- Read the domain: the bank uses wellsfargo.com, not wellsfargo-verify.example or any add-on host.
- If a caller claims to be Wells Fargo fraud, hang up and call the number on the back of your card.
- The bank never asks you to move money to a "safe account" or share a one-time code.
Common questions
is wellsfargo-verify.example a real Wells Fargo site
No. The bank uses wellsfargo.com. wellsfargo-verify.example is a look-alike built to capture your login or start a fraud-call scam.
should I reply to a Wells Fargo verify-charge text
No. Replying confirms your number and invites an impersonation call. Check the official app directly instead.
how does the Wells Fargo fraud text scam work
The text is the opener; a fake fraud agent then calls and steers you into moving money or reading a code, sending your funds to the scammer.
how do I check a real Wells Fargo charge
Open the official app or wellsfargo.com and review transactions. If the charge isn't there, the text was bait, no reply or link needed.
If you already responded
- If you shared a code or moved money, call Wells Fargo now using the number on your card to freeze and reverse.
- Change your online banking password and turn on transaction and sign-in alerts.
- Report it at reportfraud.ftc.gov and tell the bank it was an impersonation text.
Source: FTC, How To Recognize and Avoid Phishing Scams
Hunch is not affiliated with Wells Fargo. Wells Fargo is named only to describe a scam that impersonates it; the real Wells Fargo does not send these messages.