Here’s what you need to know about a trending scam

Zelle® is a fast and easy way to send and receive money with people you know and trust. As always, our clients’ security is a top priority, and we want to make sure you know the red flags that signal scams so you can stay protected. Please watch this educational video from Zelle® and review the information below to learn more about a trending scam.

While Yakima Federal Savings and Loan may send you a text to validate unusual activity, we will never contact you to request that you send money using Zelle® to anyone, including yourself, or to share a code to resolve fraud. If you receive a request like this, it is likely a scammer trying to trick you.

Here are the details of the “pay yourself” scam

You receive a text message that looks like a fraud alert from your bank about unusual activity. The text may look something like “Did you make a purchase of $100.00 at ABC merchant?”. If you respond to the text, you have now engaged the scammer and will receive a call from a number that appears to be from a bank. They’ll appear to be a representative from a bank and will offer to help stop the alleged fraud by asking you to send money to yourself with Zelle®. The scammer will ask you for a one-time code you just received from a bank. If you give them the code, they will use it to enroll their bank account with Zelle® using your email or phone number. The scammer now has the ability to receive your money into their account.

What you can do to help stay protected

• Don’t trust caller ID — it’s not always who it says it is.
• Don’t share codes based on a call you receive.
• Don’t be pressured to act immediately.

Visit the Information Security Center for more tips on:

• Red flags for common scams
• Details about trending scams
• Ways to avoid being scammed

Legal disclosures and information

Mobile Banking requires that you download the Mobile Banking app and is only available for select mobile devices. Message and data rates may apply. This feature is available on the Mobile Banking app for iPhone and Android devices. This feature is not available to all mobile banking customers. Data connection required.

Wireless carrier fees may apply. Zelle® should only be used to send money to friends, family or others you trust. We recommend that you do not use Zelle® to send money to those you do not know. Transfers require enrollment in the service with a U.S. checking or savings account and must be made from an eligible Bank of America consumer or business deposit account. Transactions between enrolled users typically occur in minutes, and transactions between enrolled consumers do not typically incur transaction fees. We will send you an email alert with transaction details after you send money using Zelle®. Dollar and frequency limits apply. Data connection required. Message and data rates may apply. Neither Yakima Federal nor Zelle® offers a protection program for any authorized payments made with Zelle®. Regular account fees apply.

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

To send or receive money with a small business, both parties must be enrolled with Zelle® directly through their financial institution’s online or mobile banking experience.