Scammers are always trying to take your hard-earned money, and while payment through Zelle® is secure when used properly, and we use top-notch technology at Members Choice Credit Union to keep your money and account information safe, it's still important to stay alert. Scammers often reach out personally with shady payment requests. Knowing how they operate can help you spot them and protect your funds. So, let’s dive into the top scams you need to watch out for.
Download our PDF Handout on how to avoid having a scammer takeover your account with Zelle® fraud.
Impersonation Scams
Scammers pretend to be someone you know, like a family member, friend, or even a bank representative, and ask you to send money urgently via Zelle®.
Fake Seller Scams
Scammers create fake listings for high-value items like electronics or event tickets. They ask for payment via Zelle® and disappear once they receive your money.
Prize or Sweepstakes Scams
You receive a notification claiming you’ve won a prize or sweepstakes but need to pay a fee or provide personal info via Zelle® to claim it. The prize doesn't exist.
Overpayment Scams
Scammers send you a payment via Zelle® and then ask for a refund of the excess amount. The initial payment is often fake or fraudulent, leading to a loss.
Romance Scams
Scammers build fake online relationships and eventually ask for money for supposed emergencies or travel costs, using Zelle® for transactions, so you don’t receive the money back.
Scammers might try to trick you by sending fake emails, texts, or phone calls that claim there's been fraud on your Zelle® account. They can make these messages look like they’re coming from us, even using our phone number so it appears as if it’s from Members Choice Credit Union. It can be tricky to spot the fakes, but remember, we will NEVER contact you about Zelle® payments.
Want more tips like this? See more in our fraud and security center.
Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.
