How to avoid scams
Fraud is on the rise. Get to know common scams and how you can stay safe.
What to look for when you get a text, call or email.
Scammers try to trick you into giving them your passwords and information so they can access your accounts or steal your identity.
Texts
We might text you from a short code about your USAA products or services or if we suspect fraud. Short codes are 5- or 6-digit phone numbers. For example, our Fraud and Account Security short code is 698722 or 868722.
If you think a text message is suspicious, don’t respond to it. Call us using the number on the back of your card or account statement instead.
Phone Calls
We’ll never call you to ask for your password, PIN or one-time code. If someone calls and says they’re a USAA employee and asks for any of these things, it could be fraud.
Don’t trust caller ID. Scammers can easily manipulate it to seem legitimate. The caller ID can say the call or text is from us, even though it's not. When in doubt, hang up and call us directly.
Emails
Make sure the email has “USAA Security Zone” with your name and the last 4 digits of your USAA number. If your information isn’t right, it’s probably a scam.
If you’re not sure about an email, don’t respond or click any links. Just cut off potential scammers right away and delete the email.
If it looks like it’s from us but seems suspicious, forward it to abuse@usaa.com.
Make sure it’s the real USAA Mobile App.
Download our app from an official app store. The developer should be listed as USAA. Our app is free — if it asks you to pay, it’s not really us.