A Cuban resident in the United States took to TikTok to share a harrowing experience involving a cyberattack on his Bank of America account. He recounted how hackers infiltrated his account, altering his password three times in real-time, and attempting to deplete his funds—all while he was on the phone with a bank representative.
Alexis Torres narrated his ordeal in a video uploaded on July 9. Upon returning home from work, he was alerted to a significant transfer from his savings to his personal account. As he tried to access his online account, the perpetrators swiftly changed his password, locking him out in under two minutes.
"This wasn’t about someone cloning my card at a gas station," Torres emphasized, distancing the incident from typical physical card fraud. "They accessed my bank account directly."
Late that night, Torres contacted Bank of America. A representative provided a temporary password, yet the situation escalated as the hackers repeatedly changed the password, totaling three times, during their conversation. "They were in the system, and they were pushing me out," Torres described.
In response, he managed to transfer $3,000 from his personal to his savings account as a precaution. Although the attackers attempted to siphon off a large sum, the bank successfully blocked these transactions. Torres confirmed that he did not incur any financial losses.
The following day, he withdrew all his funds from Bank of America, announcing intentions to open an account elsewhere. "I've been with Bank of America since 2015, and I've never had issues before," he said, admitting his trust in the bank had eroded due to the breach.
He speculated that the breach might have occurred through his iCloud or Apple ID, advising followers to regularly update such passwords, ideally every six months.
Rising Threat of Account Takeover Fraud
The type of attack Torres experienced aligns with a growing fraud trend in the U.S. known as account takeover. The FBI's 2025 annual report highlighted approximately 4,700 complaints and $359.7 million in losses linked to this scheme. Typically, fraudsters employ digital deception, SIM swaps, or malware to steal credentials, change passwords, and transfer funds quickly.
Bank of America has faced several security incidents recently tied to third-party vendors. In 2024, a data breach involving Infosys McCamish Systems compromised information of 57,028 customers, including names, Social Security numbers, and account details, though the bank clarified that its systems were not directly breached.
The Cuban Community's Vulnerability to Financial Scams
The Cuban community in the U.S. has been a frequent target of bank fraud. Previous scams involved deceptive Zelle transactions, card cloning alerts at gas stations, and imposters operating in Miami. In 2025, several Cubans began receiving alarming bank notifications related to their immigration status, heightening concerns over account security.
"I've realized that nothing is safe here; hackers can infiltrate any account," Torres warned, urging his followers to share the video with family members who have accounts with Bank of America or any other bank.
Understanding and Protecting Against Bank Account Breaches
What is account takeover fraud?
Account takeover fraud involves unauthorized access to a person's bank account, often through stolen credentials, allowing the fraudster to control the account, transfer funds, and lock out the legitimate account holder.
How can I protect my bank account from hackers?
To safeguard your bank account, use strong, unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, regularly monitor account activity, and update passwords periodically.
Why is the Cuban community often targeted by financial fraud?
The Cuban community may be targeted due to perceived vulnerabilities, such as language barriers or unfamiliarity with certain digital security practices, making them more susceptible to scams.