Financial Fraud
Bank Impersonation (Payment App) Scams
A scammer sends a text message pretending to be from your bank, warning of a fraudulent Zelle or other payment app transaction, then calls you to "reverse" it.
How It Works
- You receive a text message that looks like a fraud alert from your bank, asking if you authorized a large payment via Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo.
- When you reply "NO", you immediately get a phone call from a number that may be spoofed to look like your bank's official number.
- The "fraud specialist" on the phone says they need to help you reverse the transaction and get your money back.
- They guide you through the process of sending money to "yourself" or a "secure account," but in reality, you are sending money directly to the scammer.
Red Flags
- Being asked to send money to anyone (even "yourself") to reverse a fraudulent charge. Banks will never do this.
- The caller creating a sense of extreme urgency and panic.
- Instructions to ignore or bypass security warnings within your banking app.
- Any request for your login credentials, PIN, or a one-time security code.
Prevention Tips
- If you get a fraud alert, do not respond directly. Hang up and call your bank using the number on the back of your card.
- Remember that sending money via Zelle is like handing someone cash; it is instant and often irreversible.
- Never share your online banking login details or one-time codes with anyone.
- Banks will never ask you to transfer money to reverse fraud.
Example Scenario
"You get a text: "Bank of America Fraud Alert: Did you send a $1500 Zelle payment to Alex Smith? Reply YES or NO." You reply NO, and immediately get a call from a "BofA agent" who says they need your help to stop the payment by having you send $1500 to a "secure Zelle account.""