🛑 Spotting Digital Payment Red Flags

In partnership with Zelle®, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) has outlined four key warning signs to help consumers avoid falling victim to digital payment scams.

1. Too‑Good‑to‑Be‑True Offers

   Online deals—like suspiciously high-paying job ads with minimal qualifications or rock‑bottom product prices—are often fronts for scams. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

   
   

2. Urgency and Pressure

   Scammers frequently use urgency to bypass your judgment—pushing messages like “act now or lose this opportunity” to rush you into paying before you can verify.

   
   

3. Impersonation of Authority Figures

   Watch for unsolicited contact from someone claiming to be your bank, government agency, or utility provider. Scammers exploit the trust in institutions to trick you into paying or sharing personal data.

   
   

4. Up‑Front Payments

   Be cautious if you're asked to pre-pay for goods or services you haven't received—like job equipment, training, or so-called "guaranteed" grants. Legitimate transactions typically don’t require this.

   
   

Be Prepared: BBB & Zelle® Resources

BBB offers numerous guides:

• For general scam awareness, visit this link. 

• For job scam spotlights, visit this link.

• For puppy and rental scam alerts, visit this link.

• For tech support, visit this link.

• For romance scam warnings, visit this link.

  
  

Zelle® provides resources like their “Pay It Safe” hub, safety videos, and fraud education sections, all aimed at secure peer‑to‑peer payments.

When transacting online, especially via digital payment methods like Zelle®, stay alert. Slow down, research, and verify before transferring money. 

Being aware of these red flags and using available educational tools can help you steer clear of scams and protect your personal and financial security.