What to do if your bank account is hacked

If your bank account is hacked, it's essential to act quickly to minimize the damage and prevent further unauthorized transactions. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you respond to a hacked bank account:

1. Contact your bank immediately: Reach out to your bank's customer service department as soon as you suspect your account has been compromised. You can usually find the contact information on your bank's website or on the back of your debit or credit card.
2. Report the incident: Inform the bank about the unauthorized activity and provide as much detail as possible, such as:
   • The type of account affected (e.g., checking, savings, credit card).
   • The approximate date and time of the hack.
   • Any suspicious transactions or withdrawals.
   • Any unusual login attempts or login errors.
3. Freeze your account: Request that the bank freeze your account to prevent further unauthorized transactions. This will help protect your funds and prevent the hacker from accessing your account.
4. Change your passwords: Immediately change your online banking password, as well as any other passwords associated with your account (e.g., debit card PIN, credit card PIN).
5. Monitor your account activity: Keep a close eye on your account activity to detect any further suspicious transactions. You can usually do this through your online banking platform or by contacting your bank's customer service.
6. Report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC): File a report with the FTC's Identity Theft Reporting Tool (ITRT) to help track and prevent identity theft.
7. Contact your credit card company (if applicable): If your credit card was compromised, contact your credit card company to report the incident and request a new card.
8. Review your account statements: Carefully review your account statements to identify any unauthorized transactions. If you find any suspicious activity, report it to your bank immediately.
9. Consider placing a fraud alert: You can place a fraud alert on your credit report to notify creditors of potential identity theft. This can help prevent new accounts from being opened in your name.
10. Take steps to prevent future hacks: To minimize the risk of future hacks:
    • Use strong, unique passwords for all accounts.
    • Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible.
    • Keep your antivirus software and operating system up to date.
    • Avoid using public computers or public Wi-Fi to access your bank account.
    • Monitor your account activity regularly.

Remember to stay calm and act quickly to minimize the damage. Your bank will work with you to resolve the issue and prevent future unauthorized transactions.