What Should I Do If My Bank Account Is Hacked? A Step‑by‑Step Guide

Discovering suspicious activity in your bank account can be overwhelming and disruptive to your daily routine. In moments like this, it’s easy to panic; however, a calm approach and taking the right steps quickly can make a meaningful difference.

This guide walks you through what to do if your bank account is hacked, helping you stay calm, take action, and protect your financial security. If your bank account is hacked, these steps will help you respond accordingly.

Step 1: Contact Your Bank Immediately

If you notice unauthorized bank transactions, your first move should be to reach out to your bank using official contact information — not numbers or links from suspicious messages.

A quick call allows the bank to:

Freeze or secure your account.
Block additional unauthorized activity.
Create a bank fraud report so everything’s documented.
Begin the bank fraud investigation process.
Guide you through next steps.

Acting fast is one of the most important parts of what to do if your bank account is hacked. When it comes to stopping financial crime, every second counts.

Step 2: Secure Your Account Credentials

Once you’ve contacted your bank, the next step is to protect your login information.

Here’s how to secure your account:

Immediately change your online banking password.
Enable two‑factor authentication (2FA) if it isn’t already on.
Update passwords for any linked financial apps.
Freeze or replace compromised debit or credit cards.

These steps help prevent additional unauthorized access while your bank works to resolve the issue.

Step 3: Carefully Review Recent Transactions

Take a few minutes to look through your recent account activity. Make note of:

Transactions you don’t recognize.
Dates and amounts of suspicious charges.
Any login attempts or alerts you received.

This information helps verify what happened and speeds up the process to recover from bank fraud.

Step 4: Monitor for Ongoing Issues

Even after the initial fraud is reported, it’s important to stay alert.

Continue to:

Check your account daily for new unauthorized activity.
Watch for unfamiliar charges on linked cards.
Review email and text alerts from the bank.
Consider credit monitoring if personal information was exposed.

These habits help you stay ahead of additional issues and support your long‑term account security.

Step 5: Stay in Communication with Your Bank

Fraud investigations take time, and staying in touch helps ensure everything moves forward smoothly.

During the process, your bank may:

Ask for additional details.
Provide updates on the investigation.
Issue new cards or account protections.
Explain reimbursement timelines.

Remember: you’re not expected to navigate this alone. Staying connected helps you feel informed and supported.

A Quick Reminder: Fraud Can Happen to Anyone

Feeling embarrassed or frustrated is completely normal when it comes to fraud. However, it’s important to remember you aren’t at fault. Scammers are sophisticated, and even the most cautious people can be caught off-guard. What matters most is how quickly you respond.

Knowing what to do when an account’s hacked ahead of time can help you recover from bank fraud on a faster timeline with far fewer obstacles to navigate.

Stay Protected with Landmark National Bank

If you ever suspect your account has been compromised, Landmark is here to help you secure your information and move forward with confidence.

If you see unauthorized bank transactions or fraudulent activity, contact Landmark National Bank immediately using our official contact information. Regularly review your transactions through online or mobile banking. Visit our Fraud & Scam Resource Center for more protection tips.