Contactless payment options and P2P mobile payment apps like CashApp, Venmo, or Zelle® have become increasingly popular. As a result, fraudsters have adapted their tactics to take advantage of consumers’ comfort while quickly sending money to a friend for dinner or a housekeeper for services. We’ve put together some tips and red flags to watch for and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

Some common red flags to look for:

Purchase Scams: If the deal is too good to be true, it usually is. Fraudsters can pose as legitimate businesses and request payment through P2P for a product or service. Often, these scams will ask for your personal information up-front and not deliver what you paid for. Prior to sending a payment, take the time to assess your situation. If you’re ever unsure of a website or business, you can search for it on the Better Business Bureau site. You can also use their website to track and report scams.

Payment Limit Increases: Scammers may contact you and state that you need to send them money to increase their (or your) limit to allow them to send you a payment. Your bank will never tell you to send money through contactless payment to anyone, including yourself. To be safe, hang up and call FirstBank at 1-800-964-3444 to validate the inquiry.

Bank Imposter: Stay alert for unexpected calls from scammers stating they are with your bank and must verify personal information such as your online banking username and password, credit card or debit card information, or Social Security Number. You should never give your personal information to someone who has called you over the phone. Those are typically scammers who want to create a P2P account with your information. Hang up immediately and contact FirstBank.

What is FirstBank implementing to help secure your accounts online*?

New Enrollment: When initially enrolling in Zelle® P2P transfers through the FirstBank mobile app or using your desktop at efirstbank.com, a Scam Education Screen will prompt you to read some of the above-mentioned red flags. To continue with enrollment, you will need to check a box to verify that you have read and understand the information.

Existing Users: If you’re already enrolled in Zelle®, you will see the Scam Education Screen as a reminder before sending payment. Again, you will need to check a box to verify that you’ve read and understand the information before continuing the payment process.

First-Time Payment: When selecting or adding a new recipient currently registered for Zelle®, a screen will display the name associated with that email and phone number to confirm, along with the following important fraud prevention steps:

• Double check the information above prior to submitting a payment.
• Treat Zelle® payments as you would cash. In most cases, payments are final and non-reversible. 
• Bank representatives will never ask you to send a payment to yourself. 
• Use caution if someone is pressing you to take immediate action. Scammers will rush you into sending money. 

First-Time Payment to an Unregistered Account: When sending a payment to an email or phone number for the first time that is not currently registered for Zelle®, it will display a message stating the token is not registered and needs to be enrolled to receive money. 

The Scam Knowledge Hub: You can go to FirstBank’s website to learn more about Zelle® best practices, the latest alerts, common red flags, fraud vs. scams information, and common scams. 

To learn more about Zelle® Safety: check out Zelle® Safety: How FirstBank is Helping Safeguard its Customers from Mobile Payment Scams.

If you’re a victim:

If you’ve been targeted by a fraudster involving P2P transactions, you can file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or contact the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Your financial health is important to us. For any questions or concerns, please reach out to our Fraud Prevention department at 1-800-964-3444 and read more ways to help guard yourself against fraud at efirstbankblog.com.

*Online Banking is free with eStatements. $3 per month with paper statements. Online Banking is required to use mobile and online products.

Zelle®: U.S. checking or savings account required to use Zelle®. Transactions between enrolled consumers typically occur in minutes.

Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.

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