Key takeaways
- Chime® is a safe and secure financial technology company that partners with FDIC-insured banks to offer safe, secure banking services.1
- Chime’s Security Center lets you set up passkeys, check your password strength, set up 2FA, and turn on instant transaction alerts to keep your data and money safe.
- In the Chime app, you can instantly lock your card if you notice suspicious activity.
- Your Chime Visa® Debit Card and Chime Card™ are protected by the Visa® Zero Liability Policy,2 and by federal Regulation E protections. These protections apply to unauthorized transactions when you report them promptly. Your potential liability depends on how quickly you notify us of lost cards or suspicious activity.
- The Chime app uses encryption to keep your information safe and protect you from hacking.
You work hard for your money, so you deserve a banking partner, like Chime, who will keep your money safe and secure. With so many banking apps and online platforms available, it’s smart to ask questions before trusting one with your money.
Chime is a secure and trustworthy choice. Here’s what you need to know about how we protect your money and information so you can focus on reaching your financial goals while enjoying peace of mind.
Is Chime legit and secure?
Chime is a regulated financial technology (fintech) company that provides banking services through FDIC-member banks.3 Chime’s commitment to member security includes fraud reporting, security frameworks, custom alerts, identity verification, and more.
Chime partners with The Bancorp Bank, N.A., and Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC, to provide secure banking services. That means your deposits are protected up to $250,000 if the bank fails – the same protection you’d receive at a traditional bank.1
This commitment to your security is one reason why 75% of Chime members say they find Chime more trustworthy than major national banks.4
Is Chime trustworthy?
At Chime, our top priority is protecting your personal information and hard-earned money. Here’s how we do it.
FDIC insurance through bank partners
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) provides deposit insurance that helps protect your money in the event of an FDIC-insured bank failure. This insurance gives you extra peace of mind that your money is safe and secure, no matter what happens. So, is Chime FDIC-insured?
The funds in your Chime Checking and Savings accounts are FDIC-insured up to $250,000 per depositor through The Bancorp Bank, N.A., or Stride Bank, N.A., Members FDIC.1
H3 – Fraud monitoring and real-time alerts
It’s easier than ever to spot potential fraud thanks to the Chime mobile app. You can turn on daily balance updates and instant transaction alerts to be notified whenever your card is used.
If you receive a potentially fraudulent transaction alert, you can lock your card in the app immediately while you investigate. If the transaction is legitimate, you can unlock your card and use it immediately. If you see a transaction you don’t recognize, contact Chime right away. You must report potential errors no later than 60 days after we send the statement that shows the transaction in order to preserve your error resolution rights under federal law.
And even without an in-person branch, you’re not on your own. You can chat in-app or call anytime to reach real human support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Two-factor authentication and app security
Chime protects you and your money before you’ve even logged into the app. Simply opt-in to your favorite authentication method – Face ID, two-factor, or fingerprint – to prevent unauthorized access to your account and personal details.
Once you’re logged in, you can access Chime’s Security Center to shore up your security settings. Here, you can complete the following tasks to improve your account security:
- Set up email verifications, passkeys, 2FA, and real-time transaction alerts.
- Use the password strength checker to fix weak passwords
- View and manage the devices that are logged into your Chime account
- Learn more about account security with bite-sized in-app lessons on recognizing and avoiding scams
Visa® Zero Liability Policy
Your Chime Visa® Debit Card and Chime Card™ are backed by the Visa Zero Liability Policy.2 This policy means you won’t be held responsible for any unauthorized debit or credit card purchases if your card is lost, stolen, or used fraudulently.
If you notice an unauthorized charge on your card, report it to Chime immediately. You must report potential errors no later than 60 days after we send the statement that shows the transaction in order to preserve your error resolution rights under federal law. Chime’s team of more than 4,200 customer service experts is ready to help you 24/7 over the phone or in the Chime app.
Does Chime protect my data?
The security of your personal data is as important to Chime as the security of your money. Let’s explore how Chime protects your data from unauthorized individuals.
Encryption and secure transmission
All personal data needed to open a Chime account, including your name, address, birth date, and Social Security number, is protected by at least 128-bit encryption both during transit and at rest.
Whether you’re checking your account balance, paying bills, or sending money to a friend, your data is secure in the Chime app.
Privacy-first design
At Chime, we know that your privacy is of utmost importance. That’s why we keep your personal information private. We never sell our members’ data for marketing purposes, so you don’t need to worry about getting spam calls, texts, and emails.
Continuous monitoring
Real-time alerts help you act quickly if you notice an unauthorized transaction, but Chime goes one step further by continuously monitoring systems for suspicious logins or unauthorized access attempts.
If something doesn’t look right, we’ll contact you to check in. And if you notice a suspicious transaction, you can immediately lock your card in the account to prevent further charges.
How to stay safe as a member
Keeping your personal and financial information safe is easy with Chime. Take the following steps to stay safe and secure as a Chime member.
- Set up a passkey in the app to log into your account using Face ID or fingerprint authentication.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) in the Chime app to receive a one-time code when you log in.
- Enable Chime security features, such as email verification, to confirm your identity when you log in to your Chime account.
- Turn on transaction alerts for real-time updates.
- Check your password’s strength using the guided password checker in the Chime Security Center.
- Never share your login, PIN, or code with anyone.
- Use only the official Chime app and website for access.
Keep your money secure with Chime
Deciding where to keep your money doesn’t have to be a challenge. With security features like FDIC insurance, passkeys, real-time alerts, and zero liability for unauthorized charges,2 Chime keeps your money safe so you can focus on your financial progress.
Want to ensure your money is as safe as possible? Learn how to boost your Chime account security in the Chime Security Center.
FAQs on Chime's safety
Is Chime a real bank?
Chime is not a bank; it’s a financial technology company that partners with two banks – The Bancorp Bank, N.A., and Stride Bank, N.A. – to provide banking services.3 Through these partner banks, your money is protected by FDIC insurance up to $250,000 per depositor.1
Is Chime safe to use for direct deposit?
Yes. Direct deposits with Chime are processed through our FDIC-insured partner banks,1 using secure banking infrastructure.
Setting up direct deposit into your Chime account can also unlock additional perks, such as higher savings rates, cash back, SpotMe fee-free overdraft, and exclusive deals with Chime Plus.‡
Can Chime freeze my account for security reasons?
Chime may temporarily freeze or restrict accounts to protect members from fraud or suspicious activity. These reviews help keep your money secure. Contact Chime’s support team by phone or in the app if you’re not sure why your account is frozen.
Is the Chime Card safe to use?
Yes, the Chime Visa® Debit Card and Chime Card™ are safe. You may not be responsible for unauthorized charges if you report them promptly. Federal law sets specific timeframes that determine your liability, so it’s important to contact us immediately if your card is lost, stolen, or you notice transactions you don’t recognize. This is included in Visa’s Zero Liability Policy.2