Robinhood scam text warning: fake security alert targets users nationwide

Most of the texts are fraudulent It’s easy to spot, but this feels different. At first glance, the message appears polished and uses formal branding that conveys credibility. It also includes serious-sounding technical details, which can make wary people like Bob pause rather than delete it immediately. He shared the text message with CyberGuy after questioning whether it was real.

“I received a text message from someone, from an entity I don’t know. Normally, I would just delete an unwanted phishing message, but in this case, I’m wondering if someone has my personal and financial information. Have you seen this before?”

— Text message sent to Bob

Yes, this exact format of the message has been widely circulated. The screenshot below refers to a scam impersonating Robinhood, not… Legitimate security alert. For those of you who may not be familiar, Robinhood is a popular financial app that allows people to trade stocks, options, and cryptocurrencies from their phones.

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson warns about Robinhood’s phishing scheme. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutson)

What the scam text actually says

At the top of the message is a warning designed to create urgency:

“Safety Reminder: If this is not you, please call +1 (888) 497-####.”

Below that, a realistic-looking Robinhood graphic claims:

• The API key is linked to an external wallet
• Permissions include trade and transfer
• A linked wallet named Robinhood-Wallet
• IP address listed as 128.51.100.##
• Date and time stamp of January 23, 2026

The message ends up calling itself a mandatory SMS service meant to keep the account secure. To most people, this sounds official. This feeling is intentional.

Why is this message designed to intimidate?

This scam is based on presentation, not accuracy. Technical language like API key and IP address sounds authoritative. It creates pressure to act even when details are unclear. The phone number is the real target. Calling him directly connects scammers trained to sound calm, helpful and urgent at the same time. The message also intentionally avoids links. A phone call seems safer than a tap, which reduces suspicion.

The most important thing is to understand

Receiving this text does not mean that the account has been accessed. Such messages go out in large quantities. Phone numbers often come from unrelated people Data breaches And marketing lists. The sender does not know who already has a Robinhood account. The scam only works if someone reacts.

A Robinhood spokesperson told us the company is seeing a rise in financial fraud and said it has safeguards in place to “monitor, report, and disrupt fraudulent activity.” The spokesperson urged customers not to engage with suspected scams and to use the resources on Robinhood’s support page to help identify and avoid them.

What to do now if you receive this text

If this message appears on your phone, pause for a moment. These scams work when fear takes over. Staying calm keeps you in control. These steps break the momentum of the scam and help protect your accounts before any real damage occurs.

1) Do not call the phone number

This is the most important step. The phone number in the text calls directly to scammers posing as Robinhood Security. Once contacted, they often claim there is an active threat and push for immediate action. They may ask you to verify account details, share one-time codes, or approve fake transfers. No legitimate financial company handles account security through an unsolicited phone call.

2) Do not click on links or reply to message

Avoid interacting with the text at all. The response confirms that your number is active, while clicking on anything can lead to fake login pages, follow-up scams, or malware. Strong antivirus software can help block malicious links and scam sites if they are accidentally clicked, but the safest step is to ignore the message completely. Cutting off the interaction stops the scam immediately. The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that install malware, and potentially access your private information, is to install strong antivirus software on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

Get my picks for the best antivirus protection winners of 2026 for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS at Cyberguy.com

3) Verify your account in a secure way

If you have a Robinhood account, always go directly to the source. Open Official application Or manually type the website address into your browser. Never use links or phone numbers embedded in text.

Once logged in, review:

• Security alerts
• Recent account activity
• Associated applications
• Application programming interface (API) or third party access

If nothing appears there, the message is fake, and your account is safe.

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Internet experts warn that a widely shared “safety reminder” text is a scam impersonating Robinhood, not a real breach alert. (Photo illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

4) Turn on two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication (2FA) adds a critical layer of protection. Even if the scammers get a password, they won’t be able to access the account without a second verification step. This stops many account takeover attempts in their tracks.

5) Use strong and unique passwords

Never reuse passwords across financial accounts. Strong, unique passwords limit damage from unrelated data breaches. A password manager can help you create and store secure passwords, so you don’t have to remember them.

Next, check if your email has been exposed in previous breaches. Our #1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com) Choice includes a built-in penetration scanner that checks if your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.

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6) Minimize exposure through a data removal service

If you keep popping up with such fraudulent texts, it probably means that your phone number is being traded between data brokers. A data removal service can help reduce this exposure over time.

While no service can guarantee complete removal of your data from the Internet, a data removal service is truly a smart choice. It’s not cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by systematically monitoring and scraping your personal information from hundreds of websites. This gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to clear your personal data from the Internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of fraudsters cross-referencing data from breaches to information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free check to see if your personal information really exists on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.

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7) Remove old or unused associated applications

Over time, accounts can accumulate connections that are no longer needed. Review associated applications and remove anything unfamiliar or unused. Fewer connections mean fewer potential attack paths.

8) Block the sent number

After ensuring that your account is secure, Block the number That sent the message. This prevents repeated attempts from the same source and reduces future interruptions.

9) Report the message as spam

Robinhood encourages users to contact its customer support team with any scam or fraud concerns or to investigate suspicious messages. Suspected phishing attempts can be reported directly reportphishing@robinhood.comThe spokesman said. As well as reporting Message as spam In your messaging app. This helps improve filtering systems and can prevent similar scams from reaching others.

10) Save the message as evidence

Finally, before deleting it, take a screenshot. This gives you a record in case you need to report the scam later or explain what happened. It also helps to remove doubt once the message is over.

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Scammers use technical jargon and official-looking branding to trick users into revealing financial account details. (Photo illustration by Qing Chen/Getty Images)

Key takeaways for Kurt

This scam works by fostering trust in a well-known brand and using fear to pressure quick decisions. The message is designed to urge and intimidate, not to inform. The strongest defense is simple. Stop. Verify accounts directly through official applications. Don’t let technical language or pushiness dictate a reaction. You don’t need to understand every detail to stay safe. Questioning a message like this protects something far more valuable than time. And it raises an important question worth asking every time a security alert appears on your phone.

Have you received a suspicious text or security call recently? Tell us what it looked like and how you coped by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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