Banking apps and their associated systems (like online portals) are designed with built-in security monitoring to detect potential unauthorized access attempts, such as repeated incorrect password or PIN entries.
1. Detection of Failed Attempts
• Every time you (or someone else) tries to log in with an incorrect password or PIN, the app’s backend server logs the attempt. This includes details like:
• Your username/account number.
• Timestamp and device/IP address used.
• Type of failure (e.g., wrong PIN on mobile app vs. password on web).
• Banks use rate-limiting and anomaly detection rules. For example:
• After 3–5 consecutive failures (varies by bank), the account may be temporarily locked.
• Algorithms flag “suspicious” patterns, like logins from unfamiliar locations or devices, even if not all attempts fail.
2. Triggering the Alert
• The bank’s fraud detection system (often powered by AI/ML tools from vendors like FIS, Temenos, or in-house solutions) automatically evaluates the log.
• If it meets alert criteria (e.g., multiple fails within a short window, like 10 minutes), it queues a notification.
• This happens in real-time—usually within seconds or minutes—to minimize risk. It’s not manual; it’s automated via event-driven architecture (e.g., using AWS Lambda or similar cloud services).
3. Sending the Notification
• Email:
• Pulled from your registered email address in the bank’s database.
• Sent via secure email gateways (e.g., using SMTP with encryption) from the bank’s domain (like no-reply@yourbank.com).
• Includes details like “3 failed login attempts detected at [time] from [location/IP]” and instructions to reset credentials or contact support.
• SMS/Messages:
• Uses your registered mobile number.
• Delivered via SMS gateways (e.g., through providers like Twilio or Nexmo) integrated with the bank’s API.
• In some regions (e.g., EU or US), it complies with regulations like GDPR or TCPA for consent-based messaging.
• Push notifications (in-app) may also fire if you’re logged in elsewhere on the same device.
• Multi-factor delivery: Many banks send both email and SMS for redundancy, especially for high-risk events.
4. Why You Receive Them (Even If It’s You)
• These are proactive security measures to protect against brute-force attacks, phishing, or credential stuffing (where hackers use stolen passwords from data breaches).
• If it’s you fumbling your PIN, it’s still sent to confirm no compromise occurred—better safe than sorry.
• You can often opt out or adjust preferences in app settings (e.g., under “Security” or “Notifications”), but it’s recommended to keep them on.
Tips to Manage or Avoid False Alarms
• Reset Securely: Use the app’s “Forgot PIN/Password” flow, which may require biometric verification or security questions.
• Check Settings: In apps like Chase, Wells Fargo, or HSBC, go to Profile > Security > Alerts to customize.
• If Suspicious: Don’t click links in notifications—log in directly via the official app/site and report to the bank immediately (e.g., via 24/7 helpline).
• VPN/Travel Note: Logins from new IPs (e.g., abroad) can trigger alerts even without failures.
If this is happening unusually often or seems targeted, reach out to your bank’s support—they can review logs for you. Specifics vary by bank (e.g., SBI in India vs. Bank of America), so if you name yours, I can dig into tailored details!