Getting Paid? Here’s How to Spot Fake Bank Alerts in Nigeria Before It’s Too Late

Mobile bank alert scams in Nigeria are becoming a normal hustle for fraudsters. You sell a product or service, they say they’ve transferred the money, and seconds later, a convincing SMS pops up on your phone reflecting “that transaction.” It looks real. You hand over the goods, but the money never arrives. Just like that, you’ve been scammed.Fake bank alerts are getting smarter, and every vendor, business owner, or service provider needs to wise up. Here’s how to avoid being their next victim. Read Also: Scammers Are Getting Smarter. These 7 Moves Will Keep Your Bank Account Safe What is a Fake Bank Alert? A fake bank alert is a fraudulent notification that mimics a real bank credit alert. It could come via SMS or third-party apps, and it’s designed to make you believe money has entered your account when it hasn’t.Scammers use these alerts to trick people into releasing goods, sending money, or offering services. And thanks to scam tools and alert-generator apps like Flash Fund, they’re getting better at it. How to Detect a Fake Bank Alert You don’t see a real balance change: Always log in to your bank app or use USSD to check your balance. Don’t rely on SMS alerts alone because scammers can manipulate them. Real alerts reflect in your actual balance.The message comes with unusual urgency: If the sender is pressuring you to “hurry up,” or they’re late for a “meeting,” or pressuring you to release the goods quickly, it’s a red flag.The sender’s name looks off: Check if the alert came from a suspicious name like “BankAlert” instead of your bank’s verified shortcode. Also, note how your bank usually formats alerts; scammers often get this wrong.Spelling and grammar issues: Look for errors like “Crdit Alert” or strange account number masking. Real alerts rarely contain mistakes.There’s no transaction reference, or it looks fake: Legit alerts always come with a proper transaction ID. If the one in the alert looks random or is missing, don’t trust it.No real-time push from your bank app: Mobile banking apps notify you instantly. Be suspicious if you didn’t get an in-app notification but got an SMS.You receive the alert on a number not linked to your account: Never trust an alert sent to a phone number you didn’t register with your bank.Alert doesn’t include Kobo: Fake alerts usually show rounded figures like “₦6,000” instead of “₦6,000.56.” It’s a small detail, but it matters.It lands in a different SMS folder: If you usually keep your bank messages, check where this one appears. Fake alerts often don’t land in the same thread as your legitimate ones. How Fake Alerts Are Created Scammers use spoofing tools or shady mobile apps like Flash Fund to create fake alerts that mimic real bank notifications.These apps allow them to enter your account number, name, and amount, and generate an alert that includes the bank logo, transaction ID, and a timestamp when no actual money is moved.Even though Flash Fund isn’t available on the Google Play Store, versions still circulate on the dark web. Once the fake alert is sent, the scammer usually creates pressure or distraction and leaves before you realize what’s happened. Related: Lost your phone? Here’s how to block your bank account instantly. How to Confirm a Bank Alert is Real (Before You Release Goods) Know your previous balance: The alert is fake if your balance hasn’t changed.Always check your bank app: SMS can lie, but your app won’t.Use USSD: A quick balance check with your bank’s code could save you.Sign up for email alerts: Unlike SMS, scammers can’t fake bank emails.Don’t rely on the sender’s appearance: Nice clothes and clean cars mean nothing.Don’t let anyone rush you: Confirm first, deliver later.Know your bank’s alert style: From how account numbers are masked to how “Credit” is spelled. Smart Tools That Can Help Truecaller: Can flag spoofed numbers pretending to be banks. Not foolproof, but it’s an extra layer.Download TruecallerAirtel AI Spam Filter: Automatically blocks suspicious messages, including some fake alerts. You don’t need to download anything; you only need an Airtel SIM.Your Bank’s Mobile App: Always verify real-time balance, not SMS.Email Alerts: Set up alerts with your bank so only real credits hit your inbox. What to Do If You Suspect or Fall for One Report the alert: Screenshot the message and send it to your bank’s fraud desk. Most banks now have email channels for reporting fraud.Secure your account: Change your PINs and passwords. Don’t wait until it’s too late.File a police report: Especially if goods or cash were lost.Raise awareness: Tell others about the scam. You’re not the only one being targeted. Scammers are evolving fast, but so can you. Learn your bank’s alert pattern. Stay alert. Use your app. And most importantly, don’t rush to deliver just because your phone says “credit alert.”When in doubt, pause and verify. The few extra minutes could save you thousands of naira.