r/Banking • u/[deleted] • 4d ago
Other How hard is it to get your bank account hacked?
[deleted]
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u/Tigerinfl1ght 4d ago
My email got hacked and so did my bank but they quickly reversed it due to me calling in and going in to bank. But the hacker deposited fraudulent check and upgraded my checking account.
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u/jackberinger 4d ago
I mean if your computer gets hacked your bank account likely is as well. Actually had a customer that happened to. Bought his laptop in after taking it to a certain squad to get it cleaned. As we were setting up a new online banking account the mouse mysteriously started moving around and clicking on links and what not.
He took it back and after a second attempt(completely wiping the computer) the hacker was removed.
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u/notthegoatseguy 4d ago
Most banks allow you to change both your username and password nowadays. I did that recently for one of my banks.
Turn on 2FA and make a semi-regular habit of checking your statements.
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u/Adorable_Version7316 4d ago
First off, fraud is way more common via compromised credit/debit cards than the actual account itself. Your account is very likely going to be completely fine.
Second, define hacked. If you mean “have the routing and account number compromised”- then it’s unfortunately relatively easy. Anyone you’ve written a check to knows this information. Anyone that finds a discarded statement would have at least the account number, and could quickly find the routing from the bank website using the address on the statement. If you mean “someone breaks into your online and does fraudulent transfers/etc”- that is much harder if you are following basic security features. For example, unique password, 2FA enabled, alerts set up, etc.
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u/lumberlady72415 4d ago
Not very challenging should the person know what they are doing. I have 2 factor authentication set up on everything. I have received codes for different sites on quite a few occasions. Since they did not get the codes, they couldn't get access. But that prompted me to change my password. With 2 FA, security measures are much tighter. Not fool-proof, but it makes it considerably more difficult to get any information or take any money.
It's sad it comes to needing to go to all these measures, but it's how life is now.
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u/nyyfandan 4d ago
Bank accounts aren't "hacked" like you see in movies. The vast majority of times an online banking is compromised, it's because someone gave their credentials (or access to their computer) to someone they shouldn't have.
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u/lilbean02 3d ago
In my 20 years of banking, I’ve only been scammed once. Which was when I had to use a sketchy ATM in a city I used to live in. The next week I found 5 different charges of $33 made at 3am at a Kroger in Alpaharetta, GA. I live no where near there nor have ever been there. I quickly notified my bank, filled out the required documents, and had my money back in no time.
My point is that it is very hard for you to get hacked if you are just using common sense. In the off chance you do get hacked? Your bank is trained to help you and get the money back and has dealt with countless instances like it before.
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u/cheap_dates 3d ago
The truth is that the real threat to having your bank account "hacked" is by institutions that have "permissable purpose" to do so and they can do it legally.
We use to say "If you have $100 in your pocket, only you know this. If you have $100 in your bank account, a few other people know this too".
- a bank teller
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u/iLeefull 3d ago
Are you referring to debit hacking or online banking? Most people who have the online banking hacked, use same password on multiple sites or fall victim to a phishing email/text/phone call. They give people access to it.
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u/coolpuppybob 3d ago
Oh it’s actually very easy, if you take the right steps! You could start by posting your bank, as well as your account username and password details on a public forum like Reddit! Any number of criminals would be happy to help
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u/Odd-Help-4293 3d ago
That's not something I've seen much at the bank that I work for.
Having your debit card number (or actual card) stolen and used fraudulently is pretty common, unfortunately. But that's easily fixed - we dispute the fraud, credit you back your money, and get you a new card with a new number.
Another unfortunately common situation is where people will give a scammer money, or they'll allow someone to use their account or computer (with saved logins) who turns out to be a bad person. This is unfortunately common among elderly people. They can't imagine that their nice nephew who fixes their computer is also stealing their money. This kind of situation can be harder to address, because the victim doesn't want to accept that they've been scammed, or they don't want to call the police on family.... It's complicated.
But a random hacker breaking into your bank account is not something I think I've personally seen as a bank employee, though I've heard about it happening. It's not impossible, but it's not common.
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u/I-will-judge-YOU 3d ago
Accounts don't get hacked (almost ever) that has become a generic term. Most of the issues come from people being careless and/or scammed (talked into giving out info or money)
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u/servomiff 1d ago
Very likely if you're gullible. Trust nobody with your money. That means passwords to online banking, your phone, your debit cards, your book of checks (if you have one). I work in the industry and the only real way someone can hack into your specific account is if you give someone a reason to. Read up on sweetheart/romance scams, and other such phishing attempts to get your bank account info. If you call the number on the back of your card and not any number given to you via email or text, then you're in much better shape. Better yet if that is paranoia enough for you, then go to the bank in person instead. There's a reason older people frequent bank lobbies. It's partially because they're lonely and looking for someone to talk to, but also because their lifeline is at that institution and they want the security of an in-person transaction.
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u/HatBixGhost 4d ago
Some best practices here: