Y's Men Alert #9

Two New Scam Alerts

The Zelle Payment Scam -- It's Happening Right Now

Bank of America reports that there is a new scam being perpetrated involving the Zelle direct payment system which allows you to pay people directly out of your bank account.

There have been at least 19 incidents this week of people getting phone calls from a commercial-looking phone number (800-342-1000 or similar) with the caller telling you that there have been money transfer requests to a fictitious person that are to be paid out of your bank account through Zelle. They say they are from the bank fraud unit and will stop the payments if you follow instructions by using your mobile application. The instructions create the theft.

This is a scam and it is spreading. The calls are random. Hang up the phone immediately and contact or visit your bank if you use Zelle. If there is any activity on your account, the bank will address it immediately.

Lt. Jillian Cabana of the Westport Police Department

Reports a New Scam Involving the Clergy

Recently, two local church members received text messages from someone reporting themselves to be their clergyman asking for a favor.

The suspect then followed with a second text that read, "I need to get Apple gift-cards today for some women battling cancer in the hospital, but I can't do that right now because of my busy schedule. Can you get them from any nearby store now? I'll repay. Thanks!"

Neither parishioner fell for the scam, and it was reported to us. I am not sure at this time how the suspect got their phone numbers and knew what church they attended, but we are looking into that. 

Besides the obvious tell of asking for gift cards, the number that sent the text was not the clergyman's real number. It was instead from North Carolina, and when we called, the man who answered sounded nothing like the actual reverend. 

Stay vigilant,

Jillian