untrappable

Wells Fargo email scam: is that alert real?

Editorially reviewed · Last updated July 16, 2026

Yes — this is a scam. Wells Fargo doesn't email you a link to “restore access” or confirm your identity.

Your account access has been limited
W
Wells Fargo Online
alerts@wellsfargo-secure-alerts.com
6:48 AM
We detected unusual sign-in activity on your account. For your protection, online access has been limited. Restore full access by confirming your identity: wellsfargo-secure-alerts.com/restore
Restore access
The Email, as received

Other versions you might get: A fake Zelle receipt “from your account,” an unrecognized-purchase alert with a “dispute” button, or a “your statement is ready” lure. The text version is the Wells Fargo text scam.

What to do right now

  1. Don't click the link or button.
  2. Check the real way: open the Wells Fargo app or type wellsfargo.com yourself. A real access issue would show when you sign in normally.
  3. If you already entered your login: call Wells Fargo using the number on the back of your card, change your online-banking password, and watch the account. If you entered card details, ask for a replacement card.
  4. Report it. Forward the email to reportphish@wellsfargo.com, then file at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
  5. Delete it and mark it as phishing.

How to make sure it never bites you

A fake bank email works because it looks like the mail you already get. The habit that beats every version: never act through the email — the app and the number on your card are always the truth. To cut the volume, see how to lock down your accounts.

Untrappable · Public service advisory

Stop the next one at the source

You got this because your details are on lists that get bought, sold, and leaked. You can't unspill that, but you can make it useless to a scammer. Start with the free steps — they do most of the work.

Optional — if you'd rather it was handled for you

If you'd rather have it watched for you, an identity-protection service monitors your accounts, SSN, and the dark web, warns you the moment something new appears, and helps you recover if someone gets through.

See identity protection →

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Frequently asked

Does Wells Fargo send emails asking you to confirm your identity?
No. Wells Fargo doesn't email you a link to “confirm your identity” or “restore access.” Real alerts direct you to sign in through the app or wellsfargo.com yourself, or to call the number on your card. An email with a restore button from a sender like wellsfargo-secure-alerts.com is phishing.
I entered my Wells Fargo login on the linked page — what should I do?
Call Wells Fargo now using the number on the back of your card — not any number in the email — and tell them your login was phished. Change your online-banking password, review recent activity and linked devices, and ask them to watch or freeze the account. Then forward the email to reportphish@wellsfargo.com and file at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
How would my bank actually contact me about real fraud?
Real fraud alerts are short and verifiable: a text or app notification asking yes/no about a specific charge, or a call where the bank never asks for your password, PIN, or a one-time code. The safe response to any alert — real or fake — is the same: don't use the link or number in the message; open your app or call the number on your card.
How do I report a Wells Fargo phishing email?
Forward it to reportphish@wellsfargo.com (Wells Fargo's official phishing inbox), then report it to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov and delete it. If you clicked or entered anything, call the bank on the number on your card first — reporting comes second to securing the account.

Related scams

Sources

A public service

Help protect someone else

Scams spread because people stay quiet about them. If this could have fooled you, it can fool someone you know — a parent, a friend, the family group chat. Passing it on is the easiest good thing you'll do today. It's safe to forward, and stands on its own as a record for a bank or the police.