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Yahoo
21-07-2025
- Yahoo
Romance scams roundup: All of the romance scams you should know to keep your heart and bank safe
Romance scams roundup: All of the romance scams you should know to keep your heart and bank safe It's a sad fact, but true — so many of today's most common scams work by preying on and exploiting trust, and our most human emotions. And that's even more true when it comes to online dating scams and romance scams, which take advantage of victims at their most vulnerable to break hearts and break the bank, too. There's no shame in falling for romance scams — the FTC reports at least 70,000 cases per year, with annual financial losses totaling about $1.3 billion — but there's also no shame in protecting your heart as best you can. If you've met someone new and want to make sure they are who they say they are, try running a quick background check before things get serious. Online dating can be scary enough as it is; Spokeo shares these common romance scams to keep an eye out for so you can focus less on heartbreak and more on feeling the love. Catfishing: Not Romantic At All While not all online dating scams are catfishing, the vast majority of them certainly are. Catfishing is the sketchy practice of hiding behind a fake online persona to mislead someone, and it's most commonly associated with two things: exploiting romantic interests and scamming people out of their money. In the case of catfishing romance scams, that's a one-two combo. This is where your Tinder scams, Bumble scams, Hinge scams, sliding-into-your-DMs scams, and the like typically fall. In this case, a potential romantic interest appears, complete with a fake profile, fake pics, and a fake (but often convincing) backstory. After a flirtation that can last anywhere from minutes to months, the catfisher comes for your money. That's usually when the scam goes from catfishing to catphishing, where phishing is the act of fooling you into divulging your private information (like passwords or bank account numbers) in order to target your finances. While that's the basic format of many online dating scams, catfishing-based romance scams come in a wide variety of flavors. And none of them are any good. Military Romance Scams Catfishing romance scammers might cook up an entirely fictional online persona, or even an AI-generated one, or they might appropriate pics and details from an existing, real-world person. In any case, one of their favorite types of people to impersonate is military personnel. For grifters, a faux military profile accomplishes a lot. It can easily appeal to the victim's empathy, plus it offers plenty of excuses for why they never can seem to meet in person (a hallmark of catfish) or why a long-distance relationship is more convenient. When the time comes to get money out of the victim — a process that can go on for months — the military-themed scammer commonly uses excuses like paying for internet, retirement planning or travel costs (none of which are expenses for people enlisted in real life). Oil Rig Scams This catfishing theme is very similar to military romance scams: Long story short, it's convenient for scammers to claim to be an oil rigger or someone of a similar occupation who likely works in a remote locale, doesn't have regular internet access, and has to travel for long periods. These types of rugged, dangerous occupations are also ripe for making monetary requests under the guise of medical and travel expenses. Similarly, faux lovers claiming to be international workers use the guise to ask for money to travel to you, or to get their goods through customs. Take one guess as to where that money actually ends up. Steamier Scammers Some catfishing-based romance scams really emphasize the romance. For instance, in one especially sneaky type of hustle, the con artist poses as a sugar mama or sugar daddy. It's common for these scammers to promise money in exchange for risque pics, which they can then use as ammunition for blackmail. Or, they might do a variation of an age-old scam where they pay you a large amount of money, and then ask for some back — sure enough, the money you've received is typically from a bum source, like a stolen credit card, so the funds will bounce, leaving you holding the bag. Scammers posing as widows or widowers are also all too common. Like military romance scams, these follow the traditional catfishing-to-catphishing pipeline, but they emphasize a particularly common element of online dating scams: they often involve a sob story to help motivate victims to reach into their pockets. Not Catfish, But Still Fishy Not all romance scams revolve around catfishing. Unfortunately, you'll find that scammers are a pretty creative lot. Wish we saw that same energy when it came to first date ideas from real people on dating apps, but in any case, be wary of these common types of online dating scams: Crypto Scams Because it's so difficult to trace, crypto can be a big red flag when it comes to online scams in general. In this instance, the fake bae gains your trust, then convinces you to invest in what they pitch as a surefire crypto deal. The twist is, the crypto app they're so excited about is often a bespoke (and very fake) app they've created to funnel your funds. Of course, sometimes they'll just take your money via a straight-up Zelle or wire transfer. Bogus Dating Sites Similar to creating a phony crypto app to funnel money right into their own bank account, it's not below romance scammers to create entire dating websites just to hustle unsuspecting romantics. These sham sites pump up your confidence by plying you with matches, but beware of sign-up processes that ask a suspicious amount of finance-related questions or want you to divulge things that could be used to commit identity theft, like answers to common security questions ('what was the name of your first pet?'). Otherwise, fraudulent dating sites might take your money by asking you to pay for perks while matching you with nothing but bots. Or they might keep it simple and just infect your device with phishing malware, or take your credit card info. On the latter note, some romance scams simply rely on tricking you into clicking a link to infectious malware, and that link can be delivered anywhere, from Tinder scams to Bumble scams to DM, text, or email scams. Verification Scams This one's a bit different from the other online dating scams covered here. In a verification scam, criminals will pose as official communications channels for popular dating apps (this is also often called spoofing). You might get a message claiming to be from Tinder, for example, asking you to click a link to 'verify your account,' which requires you to input private information, like passwords, social security numbers, or financial data. As you may have guessed, that info isn't going to Tinder, it's going to creepy phishers. Remember, this online dating scam isn't limited to Tinder. Scammers will adopt the guise and branding of whatever's popular at the time, so it could be a Hinge scam, a Bumble scam, a Coffee Meets Bagel scam — you get the idea. Better Safe Than Heartbroken Love really is a battlefield, but you don't have to storm the beaches unarmed. While it's clear that romance scams come in as many varieties as there are phish in the sea, keep an eye out for these red flags to protect your heart: An unwillingness to meet in person or to take video calls. A little too much emphasis on keeping things private. 'Love bombing,' or bombarding you with compliments and affection, or accelerating the relationship at warp speed right from the jump — this is a tactic to gain your trust and confidence, and to exploit your vulnerability. Inconsistencies in your match's story, or consistently evading questions. Photos that look too polished or AI-generated, or that seem stolen (try a reverse Google Image search and see if any hits come up). Fairy tale romances that seem too good to be true. Any and all asks for money or private information from any person (or bot) you've never met in the real world. When those red flags add up, act quickly to block and report the scammer on whatever platform you're on, and contact your bank ASAP if any money has begun changing hands. You can also head to to report scams — or better yet, avoid divulging funds or private info to online strangers in the first place. Frequently Asked Questions If you're still curious about romance scams, you're not alone. Some of the most commonly searched questions for romance scams include: Will a romance scammer talk on the phone? Typically, no. Catfishers will make a variety of excuses to avoid meeting in person, talking on the phone, or video chatting, often kicking the can down the road indefinitely. In the rare circumstance in which they do give you a call, try running their digits through a reverse phone lookup to see if they really are who they claim to be. If they don't ask for private information like your bank account or credit card numbers, passwords, or other personally identifying info, they might ask for money directly. Asking for crypto investments, wire transfers, or peer-to-peer payments are also massive romance scam red flags. What are common romance scammer phrases? Romance scammers will say anything to get you to trust them — and, in some cases, fall in love with them — as quickly as possible. Some romance scammer favorites include, 'I feel like I've known you forever,' 'you're the only one who understands me,' 'I can't wait to start a life with you,' and 'I've never felt this way about anyone else.' Basically, it's a love-bombing vibe. All's fair in love and war, but romance scammers throw the concept of 'fair' right out the window. Level the playing field. This story was produced by Spokeo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Solve the daily Crossword
Time Business News
19-07-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
How To Be more Environmentally Friendly As A Business In 2025
The planet's health and the long-term survival of companies in all sectors are at risk due to the severity of environmental problems like deforestation and climate change. Businesses have enormous capacity to promote good change, even while individual customers also have a role to play. Businesses may greatly lessen their environmental impact and help create a healthy world by implementing sustainable practices. Consequently, this appeals to today's eco-aware shoppers, who are increasingly basing their purchases on a business's sustainability pledge. But how can you reduce your business's negative impact on the environment?Help the environment by using your buying powerCustomers may help companies that are dedicated to sustainability by making thoughtful decisions at the shop. When purchasing food and other items, look for certificates like the ones listed below: FSC: Products bearing the FSC mark guarantee that ethical sourcing and forest management techniques are used all the way through the supply chain, safeguarding forests and biodiversity. Fair Trade Certified: This certification guarantees that farmers and laborers in developing nations get fair compensation and working conditions. Rainforest Alliance Certified: Products with this certification support ethical business practices, sustainable agriculture, and forest Energy Harrison Tang, founder of Spokeo, says: 'Businesses typically consume between 15,000 and 25,000 kWh of energy annually; however, this may vary greatly based on the size and nature of the company. Use these really easy fixes to prevent electricity waste in your workplace. Make the most of the natural light in your office space to save energy and enhance health and well-being. Make sure your workplace is well-lit, with windows and doors remaining open and unobstructed. To bounce light throughout the room, you may also paint the walls and appliances with a vibrant color scheme. Motion-sensitive lights, which only turn on when necessary and switch off automatically, may be utilized to conserve energy when natural light isn't available.'Maintain a Sustainable Product Store and Shipping Process Next, make sure your final products are produced using sustainable methods. Products should be packaged in reusable shipping boxes and stored in an energy and water-efficient facility. Install solar panels on your storage facility if you can, or collaborate with a third company that utilizes sustainable energy. If you need to get rid of unsold items, think about recycling or donating you can, go greenTake additional measures to build a sustainable business if you travel for work or operate a service-based firm. On every building site, for instance, a construction business is required to use sustainable techniques. This might include cutting down on wasteful water use and using fuel-efficient building equipment. Effective waste management is also essential to prevent contamination of the surrounding environment of your building site. More recycling and reuse result from efficient waste management for the construction sector, which also saves money. Chemicals like paints and solvents may also be recycled. To lessen your influence on the environment, we provide sustainable garbage transportation services for waste that cannot be About Your Back Office Saj Munir, founder of Chorlton says: 'Numerous companies strive to provide environmentally friendly goods and services for their clients. Even while your clients may not often visit your workplace, it is as important for creating a more environmentally friendly company. Your office should follow all the guidelines that apply to producing sustainable goods or creating sustainable structures. Your workplace should strive to generate less trash and use less energy. Support from employees as well as certain rules, may be necessary to achieve this aim. Setting up recycling bins in your building, for instance, is a wise first step, but it won't help if you don't remind workers to use them and tell them what can and cannot be recycled. Reduce the amount of paper documents your office prints or go paperless if at all feasible. Make sure your staff shuts down and switches off the lights at the end of the day, and use energy-efficient laptops and office supplies.'Try to Avoid Using Paper as Much as You CanEveryone benefits from moving to online billing and documentation. It significantly expands your physical storage capacity in addition to reducing paper waste. Choose to send consumers their receipts via email rather than on your staff The viability of your small company depends on the work of your whole workforce. A business culture centered on environmental consciousness makes achieving your objectives simple. According to an Esker poll, 76% of American workers believe that workplace sustainability is more crucial than ever for companies. It goes without saying that more individuals than ever are choosing to work from home, which has made life simpler for many. Offering your workers the choice to work from home whenever feasible lowers pollution, the use of fossil fuels, and the environmental impact of your business as a whole. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Fox News
17-07-2025
- Fox News
The data broker opt-out steps every retiree should take today
The tragic events in Minnesota last month stand as a solemn reminder for all Americans to reflect and take action. The gunman who targeted lawmakers used people search websites to hunt down his victims' home addresses before carrying out his deadly attacks. Police found a handwritten notebook in his vehicle containing a list of 11 data broker sites, along with notes about which were free and what personal data they displayed. The sites included TruePeopleSearch, Spokeo, Pipl, PeopleFinders, BeenVerified, Whitepages, TruthFinder, Intelius, Ownerly, USSearch, and PeopleLooker. These same sites contain your information, too, and they sell it to anyone with a credit card. Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my The $200 billion data broker industry includes over 4,000 companies worldwide. Here are some major players: These companies build detailed profiles that include your name, address, phone number, email, age, marital status, children's information, education, job, income, political leanings, health details, location data and purchasing habits. They gather this data from public records, social media, shopping habits, and your smartphone's location tracking. Data brokers do more than invade your privacy. They create serious real-world risks that affect your finances, safety, and overall quality of life. Financial fraud: Scammers buy detailed financial profiles to specifically target seniors and people facing financial difficulties. Physical safety threats: They sell your home address and phone number, putting domestic violence survivors and anyone who values privacy at serious risk. Medicare and healthcare scams: Scammers use your personal details to target you with fake Medicare offers, bogus health insurance plans, and medical identity theft schemes that can cost you thousands. Social discrimination: Companies use your data to determine your loan rates and insurance costs, all without telling you how you're being judged. Spam calls and robocalls: Telemarketers and scammers buy your phone number and pester you with unwanted calls about everything from fake warranties to phony charity requests. You can remove your information from data brokers, but they make it incredibly difficult on purpose. Thousands of data broker sites exist, and trying to remove your data is like trying to empty the ocean with a teaspoon. Even after you remove your info, it often pops back up again. If you're determined to take control of your data on your own, then here's what the step-by-step process typically looks like. 1. Search: Find out which companies have your data by searching for yourself on major people-search sites and checking what comes up. However, many databases are private and hidden from view, so you can't always tell who has your info. 2. Visit: Go to each website individually. 3. Locate: Hunt for their opt-out procedures, which are usually buried in the fine print. 4. Submit: Fill out and send removal requests. Note that some sites may require a phone call or additional forms. 5. Follow up: Chase down companies that ignore your requests, which is unfortunately common. 6. Monitor: Keep checking in regularly to see if your information reappears. Privacy experts say handling the major data brokers alone takes 10 to 15 hours, plus ongoing monitoring. If you've tried it yourself and found the process overwhelming, there's a smarter approach. Professional data removal services can handle it for you: While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren't cheap - and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It's what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you. Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: It's a scary truth: data brokers have collected thousands of data points on nearly everyone with an online presence. Trying to manage all of that on your own can be overwhelming, and for most people, it simply isn't practical. Your personal information is already out there, being bought and sold every day. If you're retired or living on a fixed income, you may be an even bigger target. This isn't just about protecting your privacy. It's about safeguarding your identity, your safety, and your peace of mind. Should the government be doing more to stop data brokers from selling your personal information? Let us know by writing us at Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy ReportGet my best tech tips, urgent security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you'll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide - free when you join my Copyright 2025 All rights reserved.
Miami Herald
08-07-2025
- Miami Herald
Keep getting texts about unpaid tolls? Here's what to know about the new E-ZPass scam
Keep getting texts about unpaid tolls? Here's what to know about the new E-ZPass scam According to Robokiller, Americans received 19.2 billion spam and scam texts in April 2025 alone - that comes out to about 63 spam texts for every person. There's only one group of people who don't think that's too much, and they're called scammers. Enter their latest racket, the E-ZPass scam, a toll scam that first rose to popularity in the spring this year. Because E-ZPass is so widely used, it's an effective gift, but stick around, and Spokeo will explain how to pass through without paying the scam toll. What Is E-ZPass? E-ZPass is an automatic electronic toll system that's widely used through the Southern, Eastern, and Northern United States. Rather than depositing money, swiping a debit card, or scanning a ticket, E-ZPass members - who are given a small transponder to stick on their windshield after signing up via a local agency or partner - can proceed through designated toll lanes without having to stop, and their E-ZPass account will be charged automatically. So that's E-ZPass, but what about the E-ZPass scam? It's a smishing scam. First, there's phishing, or scams that involve bad actors posing as other people, organizations, or companies "fishing" for your private information, which they can use to commit financial fraud. Phishing happens via emails, phone calls, direct messages, and more, but when it happens via text messages - which were popularized by the SMS platform (emphasis on the "S" here) - it's called smishing. And that's exactly how E-ZPass toll scams work. How E-ZPass Toll Scams Work Toll scams are nothing new, but the E-ZPass scam makes it more effective by sticking official-looking branding on it. In this scam, you'll get a text that claims to be from E-ZPass, usually claiming (often in panic-inducing language) that you have unpaid tolls that you must pay immediately, or that your account has expired and you must pay a renewal fee. In order to pay this impostor E-ZPass, you'll be prompted to click a link. At that link, you'll either be prompted to make a payment (to a scammer who is definitely not the real E-ZPass, who'll now conveniently have access to your payment info), or to enter private information, which will most likely be used to extract funds from you fraudulently. In most cases, the amount demanded is relatively small, a deliberate tactic that encourages victims to go ahead and pay and get it over with. Legit vs. Scam: How to Stay Safe Here's the easiest way to tell the difference between legit E-ZPass communication and a scam: E-ZPass doesn't text you for payment. Likewise, if you know you're not an E-ZPass customer in the first place, that's your sign to block, report, and delete. Otherwise, here's how to navigate the scammer freeway with a little extra peace of mind. Consider these tips your easy pass to a scam-free future. Run a reverse phone lookup on the phone number that sent the text message. This can tell you who the owner is and potentially provide their location - or use a people search tool to see if the name and contact info match anyone not click on strange links. Unless you know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you can trust the sender, it's better safe than sorry. That goes doubly for making payments or disclosing any sort of private an eye out for misspelling, poor grammar, or wonky links that resemble the official E-ZPass site, but aren't quite right (for instance, one example of the E-ZPass scam includes a link to an "ezdribe" website).Stick to your official E-ZPass account or app, both of which are usually state-specific, for addressing your balance and tackling any issues that might pop upBe wary of texts that use intimidating language - they're trying to scare you into taking immediate action on purpose. Some common keywords include "violation notice," "immediate payment required," "final warning," and the the number and delete any phony E-ZPass scam texts you in mind that sneaky scammers will sometimes pose as similar services, like state-specific toll collection services. No matter which toll company contacts you, log in to your official account and see if you actually owe a balance, rather than clicking on an unsolicited the E-ZPass Group's customer service directly if you have even the slightest suspicion that you're receiving unofficial engage with the sketchy texter. If you're motivated to help, you can report the scam to E-ZPass or file a complaint with the FCC. Unfortunately, the E-ZPass scam really blew up in 2025, prompting tons of local and online news stories, and even public warnings from the FBI, FCC, and dozens of local DMVs and DOTs. It's only natural for such a common scam to spark a lot of discussion and questions - here are a few of the most commonly searched queries, and their answers: Is the E-ZPass text a scam? If it's asking you to make a payment, it absolutely is. Does E-ZPass send emails to customers? According to E-ZPass services in states ranging from New York to Minnesota, and others, while the E-ZPass scam might hit your email inbox in much the same way it hits your texts, the real E-ZPass will never email you asking for payment or private information. What if I clicked the E-ZPass scam link? If you click the E-ZPass toll scam link but didn't make a payment or enter any personal information (oftentimes, your browser or your eyeballs will warn you that the site behind the link is super dubious), you're likely OK, but it won't hurt to use trusted anti-malware apps or software to scan your device. If you did proceed with payment or entered information, contact your bank or payment service ASAP to secure your account, reverse charges, and take the next steps for safety. How do I know if I have an E-ZPass violation? Log in to your account via your state's official E-ZPass website, or look for the toll violation page on that site. You'll be able to search for violations using your toll invoice number and license plate number. Paying tolls is enough of a pain - you don't need to pay scammers, too. This story was produced by Spokeo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. © Stacker Media, LLC.
Miami Herald
27-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
7 common Zelle scams and ways to avoid them
7 common Zelle scams and ways to avoid them We live in a time of online banking, meaning when it's time to send someone money, there's a good chance you're using a money transfer service like Zelle rather than handing over actual cash. While a platform like Zelle (which can be used directly through many financial institutions) is a convenient and secure way to send and receive money, scammers have yet again found ways to get their grimy hands in the pot, so to speak. Spokeo says Zelle is safe to use, but it's still important to stay alert and be aware of common Zelle scams, so you can keep your money safe. What is Zelle? Zelle is a money-transferring service used by many of the largest banks in the U.S. It allows users to quickly and directly send and receive money to and from their bank accounts. Think Venmo, but direct to your bank account instead of into a third-party-service (which then requires another transfer into your actual bank account). How safe is Zelle? Seeing as Zelle is used by most U.S. banks, and deals with an endless number of transactions a day, Zelle is safe to use on the whole. But, Zelle can only be as secure as its users allow, which means scammers can still take advantage if you're not paying attention. Will Zelle refund money if scammed? The good news, Zelle announced in November 2023 that it will provide refunds to certain scam victims. The bad news, it will only do so for qualifying imposter scams (these will be covered below), which is better than nothing, but can still leave you vulnerable. Common Zelle scams Here are some of the most common scams to watch out for when using Zelle: Imposter scams To a certain extent, almost all scams involve imposters. The scammer pretends to be someone they aren't (also known as catfishing) to trick you into sending money that they then disappear with. When it comes to Zelle, users are sometimes protected from certain imposter scams, specifically in these situations: Financial institution impersonators. Scammers pretending to be from a bank or other financial institution claiming they need you to follow a link to verify some information. The link is of course a phishing impersonators. These scammers will contact you claiming to be from the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare, or some other government branch, and will try to get you to give them personal information, click a link, or even just send them refund impersonators. Refund scams involve scammers that impersonate Zelle agents. They will tell you that a fraudulent transaction was flagged on your account, and then will trick you into sending money as part of a "refund process." In reality, you just sent money to a scammer. As mentioned, Zelle has begun protecting victims of impersonator scams such as the ones mentioned above, but they don't cover all impersonation scams. Some impersonator scams that are not protected: Friend and family impersonators. These scammers will reach out to you pretending to be a friend or family member in desperate need of a quick Zelle money transfer. They will usually have just enough information to disarm you and pretend to be in enough of a panic that you don't push too impersonators. This type of scam is more commonly referred to as "catfishing" and involves someone pretending to be a different person to trick their victim into believing they are in a romantic relationship. They then use the relationship to take advantage of the victim, often in the form of asking for financial favors (such as sending money via Zelle). How to protect yourself: When dealing with someone online or on the phone, always try and verify who you are talking to. A reverse phone lookup tool can go a long way toward helping you verify that the person you are talking to on the phone is who they say they are. Note that no government agency or financial institution will ever ask you to send money over the phone, via text message, or even via email. If the call seems legit but you aren't sure, feel free to hang up and contact the agency/institution via the phone number or email on their authentic website. And never click on a link that is sent to you from an unverified contact. Work-from-home scams When you're on the job hunt, seeing a response from a potential employer can be exciting. Unfortunately, scammers have found a way to capitalize on that excitement in this common type of Zelle scam. These scams play out as follows: You apply for an enticing "work-from-home job."Someone (a scammer pretending to be a hiring manager) reaches out, usually via text or some other messaging told you got the job, but there is an onboarding/equipment/training fee you need to pay first (huge red flag).You send the money and poof, the scammers are gone with your money, and you're still looking for a job. How to protect yourself: When it comes to landing a new gig, real employers will almost always have some sort of call or in-person interview. If the whole thing is done via text or messaging app, be wary. Also, as a general practice when it comes to Zelle, never give out your Zelle information (such as your email or phone number) unless you're absolutely sure you know who you are sending it to. Final tip, most jobs won't require you to pay them in order to start. Account takeover One of the most common and most damaging Zelle scams is an account takeover. This kind of scam goes as follows: The scammer will attempt to make contact with you and get you to click on a link. Usually, that link is a fake login link, that will look identical to a real website, but is in fact you've logged into your account (or so you thought), the scammer will have your account then quickly change your email and password on the account, so you no longer have they fully have your account in their control they will send money via Zelle since it is hooked up directly to your bank account(s). How to protect yourself: While Zelle is safe if used in conjunction with cybersecurity best practices, having a service that is directly linked to your bank account can obviously be a bit sensitive. When it comes to logging into your Zelle account, only ever do so directly through their official website or app. Other safety tips for Zelle Zelle uses data encryption, meaning if your account is going to be compromised, it will almost certainly be due to a lack of vigilance or knowledge when dealing with a scammer in disguise. While it might seem unsettling at first, you can use Zelle with the utmost confidence, so long as you stay on your toes when it comes to potential scammers. Outside of that, there are a couple other good practices to use when sending or receiving money through Zelle. Because Zelle doesn't charge any fees to use, if you are sending or receiving a large amount of money, have the sender start by sending $1 to ensure everyone has the correct information and that the money ends up in the intended account. After that, you can confidently send the rest. Another important tip is to know who you're dealing with via Zelle. If you believe your transaction is legitimate, and there are no signs of a scam but want to make sure, use a people search tool to see if things check out. Just remember, it's always good to be cautious when it comes to your money. This story was produced by Spokeo and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. © Stacker Media, LLC.
