At least new to me. Learned about it today. New stuff brings new scammers.

We're not talking about naive senior citizens, it's the hip, techo saavy people...and LLs...the types who use Zelle.

We don't use Zelle because it has a higher rate of fraud than Venmo.

Apparently Zelle is now automatically included in many accounts so people ASSUME it's a good thing, part of the bank they trust.

And your bank will do nothing to return your money because Zelle is a third party you choose to use, not your bank.

Scam: Scammer contacts you by phone, text, or email , with your bank's name on the caller ID, with lots of personal data that makes them look legit -info only the true banker would know...like your account #, date of birth, home address. last deposit, mother's maiden name...

"Send yourself $XX to verify the account" (or any number of bogus reasons). You tap SEND and the TO bank account instantly changes to something you do not recognize. Your whole account is now wiped out.

"We will send you $XX to verify the account", or to activate the account, or to "convert to a business account". Then want YOU to then return that money. Connection made and ZAP! Your account is wiped out.

Have you been affected?

I don't understand how people could fall for that.

There's nothing wrong with Zelle. It's just like cash. If you hand someone cash and the thing you bought turns out to be fake or not exist you ain't gettin' your money back.

It's not Zelle or Venmo, it's the scammers. They are better than all of us and we can't outsmart them. We can only refuse to participate.

Simple things like don't say the word "Yes" on an unknown caller phone call. Better yet, never answer an unknown call. But then they scam your contacts so you think it's your bank. Fine, don't answer a call from your bank. (My bank has never called me in 50 years anyway.)

Don't say your name either. They use that for voice validation (who thought up THAT stupid scheme?)

I only initiate payments, I don't respond to requests for payments.

Don't download stupid apps like one that controls your coffeepot. (?)

With the advancements that I have seen in AI over the last few years I do not see how saying yes will be a problem any more.

Saying anything will get you copied. Remember a few years back at the convention when the AI guy made a video of Jeffrey saying things that he never said, but in a different voice?

Yep don't know how people could fall for that. My biz email gets phished pretty much every week. One was from a collection agency that I've used in the past wanting me to open up a excel file for an account update.

NO WAY!

Out of curiosity I emailed back and got a broken english response that "yes it's legit and I was going to send a pdf"

Another red flag! I called the company directly and they affirmed they got breeched.

Another one:

Every time I set up a tenant with Innago the tenant gives them their banking info. Then Innago sends two micro deposits, between 1 and ten cents. They tenant gets back with them and tells them how much was put in there to verify all the info is correct.

But the tenant knows about this up front. They initiate it. I have none of the info.

I had a spoof number try this with me, and they were very very convincing I can absolutely see how they could trick someone. They spoofed bank of America.

Two things: at least with my bank I have to opt in and sign my account up for Zelle. Just don't do it or only use one account you don't keep much in for zelle/venmo. Treat it like handing someone cash, you have the same protections...

Two if your bank or what you think is your bank calls hang up on them. Anyone can spoof any number they want, go to your banks website and call them directly.

The people interviewed about being scammed on Zelle were educated, younger, and very computer/internet saavy.