Protecting Your Account: New Zelle® Scams to Watch For

At The First National Bank and Trust of Newtown, we want to make sure you have the information you need to keep your money safe. Lately, we’ve seen a rise in scammers targeting bank customers through services like Zelle®. These criminals often pretend to be from the bank or use high-pressure tactics to trick people into sending money.

To help you stay protected, here are the most common red flags to look out for:

• The “Pay Yourself” Trick: You get a call or text, often looking like it’s from our fraud department, asking you to “reverse” a fake transaction by Zelleing money to your own phone number. We will never ask you to send money to yourself or anyone else to “fix” an account issue.
• The “Business Account” Upgrade: If someone tells you that you need to pay a fee to “upgrade” your Zelle® account to receive a payment, it is a scam. Zelle® does not charge users to receive money.
• The “Accidental” Payment: If a stranger sends you money “by mistake” and asks you to send it back, stop. This is often done with stolen funds; once the bank clears the fraudulent original payment, any “refund” you sent comes out of your own pocket.
• Marketplace Pressure: Be wary of sellers on social media who insist on Zelle® for high-demand items like concert tickets or pets. Treat Zelle® like cash. Once it’s sent, it’s gone.

How to Stay Safe:

1. Stop and Think: Scammers rely on making you feel panicked or rushed. If a request feels urgent, hang up and call us directly at the number on the back of your debit card.
2. Keep Codes Private: We will never call you and ask for a one-time passcode, your PIN, or your password. If someone asks for these, they are trying to access your account.
3. Verify the Recipient: Only use Zelle® for people you know and trust personally.

Getting Help: