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HOW TO AVOID THE 8 LATEST ZELLE SCAMS (2023 UPDATE)

January 5, 2023
Fraud



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Yaniv Masjedi

Organic Growth at Aura

In this article:

 * Can You Get Scammed on Zelle?
 * The 8 Latest Zelle Scams To Know in 2023
 * Why Are These Scams on the Rise?
 * Can Your Bank Account Be Hacked Through Zelle?
 * Want To Report a Zelle Scam? Here’s How
 * How Do You Avoid Zelle Scams? [8 Steps]
 * Zelle Payments May Be Fee-Free But Not Fraud-Free

Identity theft and fraud protection for your finances, personal info, and
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CAN YOU GET SCAMMED ON ZELLE?

When Bruce Barth was hospitalized with Covid-19, he thought beating the virus
would be his biggest challenge — until his phone disappeared [*].

Days later, the thief had made fraudulent purchases using Bruce’s credit card,
withdrawn money from his account using an ATM, and made three Zelle transfers,
totaling $2,500. But while the banks quickly refunded the credit card payments
and cash withdrawals, they refused to cover the Zelle transfers, claiming they
were “authorized” — even though Bruce’s phone was stolen.

Bruce’s story is a cautionary tale about using fast and convenient payment apps
like Zelle. But it’s far from an isolated case.

> Last year, Zelle users transferred $490 billion using the payment app — making
> it a prime target for scammers.

Zelle’s immediacy hinges on connecting your bank accounts or debit cards
directly to the payment service. Unfortunately, this also means it’s nearly
impossible to cancel a digital payment once it’s on its way.

To make matters worse, banks are not repaying upwards of 90% of people who were
tricked into making fraudulent payments through Zelle scams.

If you use Zelle at all, it pays to know the latest Zelle scams that could
siphon away your funds. In this guide, we’ll share the most common types of
Zelle scams and what you can do to protect yourself and your money.


THE 8 LATEST ZELLE SCAMS TO KNOW IN 2023

 1. Money mule scams
 2. Zelle transfers “to yourself”
 3. Account upgrade scams
 4. Bank impersonators
 5. Account takeovers
 6. Zelle scammers on online marketplaces
 7. Refund and recovery scams
 8. Craigslist scams

Unfortunately, Zelle scammers are getting more sophisticated with new ways to
fleece their victims. While some of these scam tactics might be novel, most of
them follow tried-and-true patterns.

Here are the most common Zelle scams to watch out for:



1. MONEY MULE SCAMS

Work-from-home job scams — that turn distressed job seekers into unsuspecting
money mules — are nothing new. California woman Tammy Geyerman’s story was no
different [*]. 

Geyerman almost paid her scammer $1,900 for an enticing job offer. These job
scams usually unfold this way:

 * The candidate applies for a “lucrative work-from-home job” online. 
 * A “hiring manager” reaches out, usually via Messenger, Telegram, Skype, or
   text message. 
 * All subsequent communications tend to be exclusively through text messages. 
 * The “hiring manager” extends an offer to the candidate, but there’s a catch.
   The candidate is asked to front money or deposit a check, usually in the
   guise of purchasing work equipment.  
 * It always ends the same way — with candidates still out of work, and no means
   to get their stolen money back.

Here’s what to do:

 * Be wary of any job for which the entire interview process takes place through
   text messages. Legitimate jobs usually require at least one phone call or
   in-person interview.  
 * Legitimate jobs don’t require you to pay for your own equipment. 
 * Never give your Zelle account information — including your phone number or
   email — to unknown individuals.

✅ Take action: If you’ve been the victim of a Zelle scam, your bank account,
email, and identity could also be at risk. Try Aura’s identity theft protection
free for 14 days to secure your identity against scammers.


2. ZELLE TRANSFERS "TO YOURSELF"

When Illinois woman Demi Woods made a $3,500 Zelle transfer to herself, she
thought she was canceling an alleged fraudulent transaction.[*] Woods’s money
never reached her personal account; fraudsters spoofed a caller ID and Zelle
account to steal from her.

Here’s what to do:

 * If you suspect you’re on the phone with a scammer, hang up.
 * Never share your bank or Zelle account authentication codes with anyone.  
 * Don’t send money to yourself via Zelle to “reverse unauthorized payments.”

💡 Related: Bank of America Customer? Beware of These 7 Scams →


3. ACCOUNT UPGRADE SCAM

Spoofing is a type of phishing scam in which the scammer is deliberately
impersonating a company and/or installing malicious software at the same time.

Jiaming Chong — a Bank of America customer — tried to sell his camera online,
only to lose $4,200 in the process. Chong needed to make a $1,000 upgrade on his
buyer’s account. A phishing email purporting to be from Zelle was requesting
this payment in gift cards.

Here’s what to do:

 * Know that Zelle will never solicit money via emails or phone calls.
 * Verify that the sender’s email address is from an official domain.
 * Look for signs of phishing — questionable grammar and a tone of forced
   urgency are some tip-offs.‍

💡 ‍Related: Phishing Email Examples: 20 Emails That Don’t Look Like It →


4. BANK IMPERSONATORS

Smishing is a form of phishing in which scammers send text messages purporting
to be from reputable companies, usually banks.

The tactics that scammers use in smishing scams closely resemble phishing or
spoofing schemes. Most smishing text messages claim to either flag “a suspicious
login” or a “suspicious purchase.”

If you respond or click on a link in the text, you will most likely receive a
call from a bank representative impersonator.


Source: CBS News

California woman Cynthia Marin didn’t suspect a scam when she replied “No” to a
fake Wells Fargo text message [*]. She hadn’t approved a Zelle transaction to
"TRAVIS" for $3,500. Marin was later misguided into transferring $1,000 to a
spoofed Zelle account in her name.

💡 Related: Beware of These 7 Wells Fargo Scam Texts →


5. ACCOUNT TAKEOVERS

Account takeover fraud (ATO) is exactly what it sounds like — a scammer gets
access to your Zelle account, changes the password, and locks you out.

 * Account takeovers usually unfold the same way as phishing, spoofing, or
   smishing scams wherein the victim clicks on a phony login link.  
 * This gives scammers access to your account.
 * Then, they change your password and other account details to lock you out of
   your account.
 * Since the locked-out account is still connected to your bank account, you’ll
   be the one footing the bill for the scammer’s spending spree.

Here’s what to do:

 * Only enter your Zelle login credentials on the official Zelle app or website.
 * Send a $1.00 transfer to confirm that you’ve reached the intended recipient
   prior to making larger transfers.


6. ZELLE SCAMMERS ON FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE

What did a New York City TikToker and a soon-to-be father from Denver have in
common? They both almost fell for Zelle scams on Facebook Marketplace.

 * In this scam, the alleged buyer responds to a listing on Facebook
   Marketplace, asking if the item is still available. This usually happens
   within a couple of hours after the listing goes up. The scammer often
   pretends to be a senior citizen who isn’t very tech-savvy.  
 * They ask for your phone number or email address to send you the money on
   Zelle.
 * You may then receive a phishing email from a Zelle lookalike domain.
   “ZelleSupport@gmail.com” is an example.
 * These emails typically prompt you to pay to upgrade to a Zelle business
   account. You may even be asked to pay via a link in the phishing email.

Here’s what to do:

 * Ask for the recipient’s Zelle email address — not a phone number. Spotting
   typos in email addresses is easier (and more obvious) than identifying
   incorrect digits in a phone number.
 * Remember that you don’t need a Zelle business account to make and accept
   payments on Zelle.
 * Don’t use Zelle for commercial transactions.

✅ Take action: If you accidentally give scammers your personal data (or its
leaked in a data breach), they could take out loans in your name or empty your
bank account. Try an identity theft protection service to monitor your finances
and alert you to fraud.


7. REFUND AND RECOVERY SCAMS

If someone bilked you, scammers know you will be desperate to get your money
back. Refund and recovery scams take advantage of your already vulnerable state
by charging for bogus services.

Like a Kansas City man who thought he was speaking with a U.S. Bank
representative, 

 * You may receive a call out of the blue flagging a fraudulent Zelle
   transaction from your bank account.  
 * The caller purports to be from your bank and even offers evidence such as a
   seemingly legitimate caller ID.
 * They then walk you through an elaborate, fake Zelle refund process. You
   inadvertently end up paying the scammer to reclaim funds you never lost in
   the first place.

Here’s what to do:

 * If you’re not convinced you’re speaking to a bank representative, hang up and
   call the official number on the bank’s website.
 * Be wary if anyone demands upfront payment to “recover” your lost funds or
   account access.


8. CRAIGSLIST SCAMS

Overpayment and rental scams may be the two most common scams on Craigslist. An
elderly Colorado couple knocked on Jesscia Puzio’s door wanting to tour her
duplex. Puzio wasn’t renting and neither had she posted a Craigslist ad the
couple claimed to have responded to.[*]

The scammer had persuaded the victims to sign a phony lease and even pay a hefty
security deposit. Since most peer-to-peer payment apps (like Zelle) offer
instant, irreversible transfers, they’re an obvious choice for scammers.

 * If rental scams pressure you into paying advances for a listing that’s too
   good to be true, overpayment scams operate differently.
 * An “interested” buyer may contact you about the item you’re selling on
   Craigslist.
 * When the buyer pays you with a certified or cashier’s check, you notice it
   exceeds the sale price.
 * They then urge you to deposit the check and wire back the overpaid amount.
 * By the time the bank flags the counterfeit check, you’ve lost the sale item
   and the overpaid amount.

Here’s what to do:

 * Look up the bank account, address, and phone number for the bank name
   displayed on any check you receive. Call the bank’s official phone number —
   not the one listed on the check — to confirm.
 * Turn down checks made out to an amount larger than what you discussed. If the
   buyer insists that you return any overpayments using apps like Zelle, it’s a
   scam.

💡 Related: The 6 Latest Rental Scams To Watch Our For →


WHY ARE THESE SCAMS ON THE RISE?

Zelle has quickly become the most popular peer-to-peer payment app. Its
popularity alone would be enough to make it a prime target for scammers.
However, there are a few specific reasons why fraudsters target Zelle
specifically.


Source: BBB 2021 Online Purchase Scams Report

ZELLE TRANSFERS ARE NEAR-INSTANT AND IRREVERSIBLE

 * If the person you’re sending money to is also a Zelle user, the payment can’t
   be canceled.
 * Zelle — like Venmo or Cash App — was designed to transfer money between
   family and friends, not unknown users. This is why Zelle uses the Automated
   Clearing House (ACH) payments system to expedite transactions.

ZELLE CONNECTS DIRECTLY TO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT OR DEBIT CARD

 * Unlike its competitors, Zelle is owned by Early Warning Services (EWS) — a
   fintech company run by seven of the largest banks in the United States,
   including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and JPMorgan Chase. 
 * Money transfers require little more than tapping on the Zelle integration on
   a participating bank’s mobile app.
 * If your bank doesn’t integrate with Zelle, the standalone Zelle app will
   initiate transfers as long as you connect a Visa or Mastercard debit card.

BANKS HAVEN’T BEEN LIABLE FOR UNAUTHORIZED EFTS VIA ZELLE

 * Until recently, there were no consumer fraud protections for seemingly
   authorized online banking on third-party payment apps.
 * Issued under the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA), Regulation E previously
   offered little recourse to victims who made misguided transactions.
 * In June 2021, however, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
   clarified that if consumers were duped into sharing account access
   information, they should receive the same consumer protections as if the
   money were acquired from a stolen debit card or other banking access device
   [*].

BUT, THERE IS SOME GOOD NEWS...

 * According to a recent article in The New York Times, banks and credit unions
   could soon start reimbursing victims of Zelle Scams after a scathing report
   was released by Senator Elizabeth Warren's office [*].

💡 Related: What Is Credit Protection? Are You Making the Most of It? →


CAN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT BE HACKED THROUGH ZELLE?

Because Zelle’s roots connect to the largest banks in America, Zelle is fairly
safe from hacks. Most Zelle scams boil down to scammers fraudulently inducing
victims to transfer money or share account details.

According to Nishank Khanna, chief marketing officer at Clarify Capital,

> "Zelle is safe because it uses data encryption which offers users increased
> protection. From a privacy perspective, it's safer than alternatives, like
> Venmo and Cash App, since it's harder for scammers to access users' personal
> information."[*]

💡 Related: Scammed on Zelle? Here's How To Get Your Money Back →


WANT TO REPORT A ZELLE SCAM? HERE’S HOW

 * If you signed up for Zelle directly through Zelle, immediately call their
   customer support team at 1-844-428-8542.  
 * For unauthorized transactions through a participating bank, contact the
   bank’s fraud department.
 * Also submit a report with the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
 * If your financial institution or credit union denies redressal, file a
   complaint with the CFPB.

✅ Take action: Protect yourself from the risks of identity theft and fraud with
Aura’s $1,000,000 in identity theft insurance. Try Aura free for 14 days to see
if it’s right for you.


HOW DO YOU AVOID ZELLE SCAMS? [8 STEPS]

The best way to protect yourself is by only exchanging money on Zelle with
people you trust. However, if you need to use it in other situations, here are
some precautions to consider.  

 * Opt to make transactions with your Zelle email: Unless you know the sender
   (or recipient), choose to make transfers with an email connected to Zelle.  
 * Set up two-factor authentication (2FA): The process of having to authenticate
   through your computer and a text message (or authenticator app) makes it much
   harder for a scammer to breach your account. Never share these single-use
   codes with anyone.
 * Recognize signs of social engineering: Most scammers work by trying to
   establish rapport and build trust with their victims. Overly friendly,
   dramatic, or romantic solicitations should be red flags. 
 * Question “urgent” deadlines or payment requests: Don’t let immediate
   deadlines or frightening consequences misguide you into paying a scammer. 
 * Regularly check your credit report and bank statements. Scammers are almost
   always after your financial accounts. Check for the warning signs of identity
   theft — such as strange charges on your bank statement or accounts you don’t
   recognize. An identity theft protection service like Aura can monitor your
   credit and statements for you and alert you to any signs of fraud.
 * Double-check requests from unknown recipients: Since payments between two
   Zelle users can’t be canceled, make sure you are sending payments to the
   right person. Making a $1.00 test transfer is one way to make sure you’re
   reaching the intended recipient.
 * Switch to non-bank, peer-to-peer payment apps: Venmo, for example, lets you
   make payments with a connected credit card at a 3% fee. Recovering lost funds
   is a much simpler process with a credit card company.
 * Consider identity theft and credit monitoring services: Services such as Aura
   offer near real-time fraud alerts, online account monitoring, and powerful
   antivirus software. If you are going to use Zelle with your bank account,
   Aura will flag suspicious transactions including those beyond your spend
   limit. Try Aura’s 14-day free trial for immediate protection while you’re
   most vulnerable.

💡 Related: Were You Scammed on Venmo? Here's How To Get Your Money Back →


ZELLE PAYMENTS MAY BE FEE-FREE BUT NOT FRAUD-FREE

Zelle can be a free, fast, and easy way to send money to people you trust. But,
when you use it for buying and selling items online, you open yourself up to
more risks. Protect yourself and your bank account from Zelle scammers by
following the tips outlined in this article.

To safeguard your money from Zelle scammers, avoid commercial payments, and
never send funds to unknown recipients. And to keep your bank account and
identity safe, sign up for Aura.

TAKE ACTION AGAINST FINANCIAL FRAUD WITH AURA. SIGN UP TODAY TO GET 14 DAYS FREE
→


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