BEWARE of Text / Zelle Money Transfer Scams

[Nancy OShea]

Beware of this Text Messaging scam that transfers money from your bank account with the Zelle money transfer app.   The scam has so far targeted customer accounts at two major US banks  -- Bank of America and Wells Fargo.  But others may be targetted, too

https://www.fox5atlanta.com/news/zelle-scam-police-renew-warning-about-money-transfer-app

The scam starts with the victim receiving a text message from a number claiming to be from a bank’s fraud department. The text will mention a suspicious payment through Zelle and ask the recipient to verify the transfer.  DO NOT FALL FOR THIS.  The scammers walk you through a series of steps to "prevent" the fraud from occurring but are in fact baiting you into a trap of their own.

Victims have not been able to recover lost funds because they approved the Zelle transactions.  Once money is transferred, it's gone forever.

[Kuji Fox]

Alongside this don't purchase "naturual flowers online rn" I just had 90$ paid for a garbage wrethe in december. I want to sue

[Nancy OShea]

I've always had good luck when buying flowers online from reputable nationwide florists like FTD.  Your mileage may vary however, depending on the season and florists you deal with. 

[Kuji Fox]

The thing was I knew I was getting it from a trusted friend, but then apperently it was a poser selling crap from china. It came late, and it was piece of trash

[Nancy OShea]

Not sure how this relates to the topic about Zelle money scams but whatever... 

[Kuji Fox]

I just wouldn't touch anything from zelle money, that kind of stuff goes straihht into my trash so I probablly haven't even seen it. These mistranactions seem like zelle money has a faulty transer situation.

[Nancy OShea]

There's nothing wrong with Zelle.  That's not the scam.  If you read the article I linked to you'd know this is a lot more sophisticated than that.  

This is about scammers pretending to be Bank Fraud officers and duping victims into thinking an illegal money transfer has been authorized on their account.  Zelle works very well, perhaps too well.  That's what the scammers are counting on.

[Kuji Fox]

I'd never overestimate to the security of a transaction. Bank fraud is easily avoidable is more based on the security of your account then it is the security of company. 

[Nancy OShea]

Bank fraud happens more than most people realize.   127 million Americans have been victims of credit/debit card fraud at least once. 

https://www.security.org/digital-safety/credit-card-fraud-report/

Electronic card skimmers scanned people's cards as they walked down streets, totally unaware of what was happening until they saw their statements.  So bank fraud is not easily avoided unless you know what to look for and how to take steps to protect yourself. 

[Nancy OShea]

HOW TO SPOT A CREDIT/BANK CARD SKIMMER:

How to Spot a Credit Card Skimmer (msn.com)