Pay It Safe
As digital payments become more common, it's important to stay informed about common frauds and scams. Below are tips on how to keep yourself safe when using Zelle.®
Only Send Money to People You Know and Trust
Money moves fast with Zelle®. Directly from checking account to checking account within minutes*. So, it's important you know and trust the people you're sending money to. You can't cancel a payment once it's been sent if the recipient is already enrolled with Zelle.®
Beware of Payment Scams
If you send money to someone you don't know for a product or service you might not receive (like paying for something in advance), you may not get your money back. Neither Arrowhead nor Zelle® offers a protection program for authorized payments made with Zelle®. So, if you aren't sure you will get what you paid for, you should use another payment method with purchase protection, such as a credit card.
Treat Zelle® Like Cash
Money moves fast – directly into the enrolled recipient's bank account. Make sure you're sending to the right person by confirming the name displayed is that of your recipient.
Pay Yourself Scam
Is Someone Telling You to Send Yourself Money? That’s a Big Red Flag!
Scammers are always creating new ways to steal your money. One recent scam uses peer-to-peer payment services known as the “Pay Yourself Scam.”
How it Works
Someone pretending to be a representative from your bank or credit union tells you that there has been a fraudulent transaction. In order to stop it, you need to send yourself money with Zelle® right away. That sense of urgency really works in their favor because customers act quickly before having time to realize it's a scam.
The best way to avoid this scam is to know what to look for:
- It starts with a text message from a scammer that looks like a fraud alert from your bank or credit union. It’s looks real and urgent!
- If you respond to the text message and engage the scammer, you’ll receive a call from a number that may appear to be your bank or credit union.
- The scammer pretends to be calling from your bank or credit union and offers to stop the alleged fraud by directing you to send yourself money with Zelle®.
- In reality, the scammer is tricking you into sending money to their bank account.