Warning: New Scam Targeting Americans
Be very careful people.
If you are someone who uses the Zelle app to accept and send money to friends and family over the phone, then you could soon be at risk.
It has now been revealed that customers of the Zelle app are being targeted by scammers who claim to be bank employees and are successfully conning them out thousands of dollars.
According to Fox News, recently one woman in Washington D.C. was conned out $3,500 after the scammers told her they were bank employees and money was accidentally transferred to her and she needed to reverse the transaction.
According to Fox, Credible.com personal finance expert warned that these scammers are impersonating bankers using spoofed telephone numbers and scaring people by saying their accounts have been compromised. The scammers then use the victim’s personal information to build trust and then have the money reversed back to them.
“And that’s where… [it] gets a little bit interesting,” the finance expert said. “Because at that point, you’re essentially authorizing the transaction. And therefore, Zelle takes the position, at least now that since you’ve authorized the transaction, it’s not fraud and you’re liable.”
“If you get one of these spoof calls, and it looks like it’s legit coming from your bank, don’t respond,” he warned.
It’s important to stay very aware and understand that there are many phone scammers. If anyone calls you it is wise to hang up and find the correct number of your bank from the back of your credit or debit card and call them back.
