Check Truist's official status page first

Truist publishes real-time updates about service outages and security incidents on their official status page at status.truist.com. This is the fastest way to learn whether the bank is currently experiencing a breach or system failure. The page shows active incidents, when they started, and what services are affected.

If you see no active security incident listed there, Truist has not reported a breach today. Keep in mind that status pages show what the bank has publicly disclosed — they update as situations develop, so check back if you remain concerned.

You can also call Truist directly at 1-800-872-2657 to ask whether there is an active security issue. A representative can confirm the current status and tell you whether your account is safe to use.

Key Takeaways

  • Truist's official status page at status.truist.com is the authoritative source for whether a breach or outage is happening right now.
  • If you cannot log in or see unusual account activity, contact Truist immediately at 1-800-872-2657 rather than waiting for a public announcement.
  • A service outage (when the website or app is down) is different from a security breach (when customer data may be compromised), and Truist reports both separately.
  • If you suspect your account has been compromised, change your password, review recent transactions, and place a fraud alert with the three major credit bureaus.

The difference between an outage and a breach

A service outage means Truist's website or mobile app is temporarily unavailable — you cannot log in or access your account, but your data is not at risk. Outages happen for maintenance, software updates, or technical failures. Truist typically resolves them within hours and posts updates on their status page.

A security breach means someone has gained unauthorized access to customer information like account numbers, Social Security numbers, or login credentials. Breaches are far less common than outages and are treated as serious incidents. Truist is required by law to notify customers and regulators when a breach occurs, usually within 30 to 60 days of discovery.

If you cannot access your account, check the status page first — you are likely dealing with an outage, not a breach. If the status page shows no issues but you still cannot log in, or if you see transactions you did not make, contact Truist immediately.

What to do if you notice suspicious activity

If you see unauthorized transactions, login attempts from unfamiliar locations, or other signs that your account may have been compromised, do not wait for a public announcement. Call Truist's fraud department at 1-800-872-2657 right away. They can freeze your account, reverse fraudulent charges, and issue you a new debit or credit card.

While you are on the phone with Truist, ask them to change your online banking password and security questions. Do this from a different device or computer if possible — if your primary device is compromised, changing passwords from it may not fully protect you.

After you contact Truist, place a fraud alert with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion by calling any one of them. The alert tells creditors to verify your identity before opening new accounts in your name. You can also request a free credit report from each bureau at annualcreditreport.com to check for accounts you did not open.

How Truist has handled past security incidents

Truist experienced a significant data breach in 2023 that affected customer names, addresses, phone numbers, and Social Security numbers. The bank discovered the breach in May 2023 and notified customers over the following weeks. Truist offered affected customers two years of free credit monitoring and identity theft protection through a third-party service.

The bank also faced service outages in 2022 and 2023 that temporarily prevented customers from accessing online banking and mobile apps. These outages lasted several hours each and were caused by technical issues, not security breaches. Truist posted updates on their status page during each incident.

These incidents show that Truist, like most large banks, experiences both outages and security events. The bank's response — notifying customers, offering credit monitoring, and posting public updates — is standard practice in the banking industry.

Steps to protect your Truist account going forward

Use a strong, unique password for your Truist online banking account — one you do not use anywhere else. A strong password contains at least 12 characters and mixes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols. Change it every 90 days or immediately if you suspect compromise.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your Truist account if you have not already. This requires you to enter a code from your phone or email when you log in from a new device, making it much harder for someone else to access your account even if they have your password. You can set this up in your Truist online banking settings.

Monitor your account regularly — log in at least weekly to review recent transactions and check your account balance. Set up account alerts through the Truist app or website so you receive notifications when large transactions occur or when someone attempts to log in from a new location.

Where to report a breach if you discover one yourself

If you find evidence that Truist has been breached — such as your login credentials being sold on the dark web or appearing in a public data dump — you can report it to Truist's security team at security@truist.com. Include as much detail as you can about where you found the information and when.

You can also report suspected breaches to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) at reportfraud.ftc.gov. The CFPB investigates complaints against banks and can take action if a bank fails to respond appropriately to a breach.

If your personal information has been compromised in a breach, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at identitytheft.gov. The FTC helps you create a recovery plan and can place fraud alerts on your credit file.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my Truist account was affected by the 2023 breach?

Truist mailed notification letters to all customers whose information was compromised in the 2023 breach. If you received a letter, your data was affected. You can also contact Truist at 1-800-872-2657 and provide your account number — they can tell you whether your information was included.

Can I freeze my Truist account if I think it has been hacked?

Yes. Call Truist's fraud department at 1-800-872-2657 and ask them to freeze your account immediately. They can also cancel your debit and credit cards and issue new ones. A frozen account prevents new transactions but allows you to access existing funds once the freeze is lifted.

What should I do if I see a login attempt from a location I do not recognize?

Log out of your account immediately and change your password from a different device. Then call Truist at 1-800-872-2657 to report the suspicious login attempt. They can review the login history on your account and tell you whether it was a legitimate attempt or a potential breach.

Does Truist notify customers immediately when a breach happens?

No. Banks are required by law to notify customers within 30 to 60 days of discovering a breach, not immediately. Truist typically investigates the breach first to understand what information was compromised before sending notifications. You may not hear about a breach for weeks or months after it occurs.

Is it safe to use Truist online banking during a service outage?

No — you cannot use it during an outage because the service is not available. But an outage does not mean your account is at risk. Once Truist restores service, your account will be secure and your data will be intact. You can safely log back in and use your account normally.