Last week we crossed paths with one of the best Fraud tries we have seen in a long time…
Here are the details:
Call from alleged major bank on the cell caller ID – a bank the recipient currently uses! Lucky # 1
“We have detected a Zelle fraud on your account!” Lucky # 2 – Zelle had recently been used – guard slightly lowered!
“We are calling to confirm your recent use of Zelle? Yes!
“Transferring you to a manager and will give you a fraud id # and a code … two alleged transactions totaling $5k” Ok, great, these guys are here to help! I do not see any pending transactions in my bank ledger?
“Manager here, sorry about this inconvenience, we are going to show you how to disable your Zelle!” Antennae up!
Code received, Zelle allegedly disabled! Whew….that was close!
“Now can you enter this number into your Zelle and put the alleged $5000 Zelle charge so we can delete this false transaction?” Good feeling gone, guard back up!
“Sir, thanks for you help but I am not comfortable doing this, can you give me a number so I can call you back and confirm this is not fraud?” Click- hung up!
Guard was down a bit, but just one click and $5k would have been gone and never seen again…
Major bank and Zelle – two lucky guesses, BUT these are both very popular guesses! Popular time of the year for usage too!
Keep your guards up, especially this time of year!
Have a Great “Fraud Reminder” Day!
John A. Kvale CFA, CFP
AI Content Authenticity: AI created the featured image. All of the following text content has been completed by myself and has not been edited or created by AI. Occasionally we do use AI for images and will note when appropriate.
Founder of J.K. Financial, Inc.
A Dallas Texas based fee only
Financial Planning Total Wealth
Management firm.
