Online payments and wire transfers are fast, easier ways to send money to individuals and businesses. However, because these types of payments are immediate – and typically irreversible – they are also frequently used in fraud schemes.
To help protect yourself from online payment scams and wire fraud, here's what to look for:
Scam #1: Online payment scams
Wells Fargo offers Zelle® as a convenient way to send and receive money from friends, family and others you know and trust. You can send money to almost anyone with an eligible U.S.-based bank account using their email address or U.S. mobile phone number.
Important: Wells Fargo will not ask you to send a Zelle® payment to yourself, your bank (including Wells Fargo), or anyone else. Wells Fargo will never ask for your login, password, one-time access code, or PIN.
If someone claiming to be from Wells Fargo asks for this information, it's a scam. Do not respond. Scammers can spoof their number so that it appears to be a legitimate Wells Fargo number. When in doubt, call us immediately using the phone number listed on the back of your debit card.
We recommend you only send money to those you know and trust when using Zelle®.
Zelle® is similar to using cash - you cannot cancel the payment if your recipient has already enrolled. Neither Wells Fargo nor Zelle® offers a protection program for any authorized payments made with Zelle® – for example, if you do not receive the item you paid for, or the item is not as described or as you expected, you will likely lose your money.
Learn more about online payment scams.
Scam #2: Online shopping scams
Online shopping scams can be difficult to spot because scammers often create realistic websites and social media ads with great deals, fake assurances, and bogus warranties for their products. Typically, the scammer requests payment through a mobile payment app or wire transfer because they are usually irreversible. If you use a payment app or wire money to the scammer, you'll never receive the product and likely not get your money back.
To help avoid this online shopping scam:
- Know that anyone can set up a realistic-looking website or social media ad. Online scammers will sometimes purchase ads to direct you to their scam website, so research the seller or product before you buy.
- Watch out for deals that are too good to be true. A deep discount could be the sign of a scammer trying to lure you in, only to tack on additional fees once you make the first payment.
- Don't pay for online products with a wire transfer or mobile payment app. Use a credit card, when you can.
Learn more about online shopping scams.
Scam #3: Tech support scams
Tech support scams happen when someone contacts you claiming to be from a well-known technology company and requests remote access to your computer. This can be in the form of a pop-up or an unexpected call.
Sometimes the caller says they have identified a problem and offers to fix your computer for a fee. Typically, the scammer will ask you to type a specific command to enable this access. If you give them access, they may install malicious software to steal your personal or financial information.
Other times, the scammer offers a "refund" for a discontinued service or a so-called "accidental overcharge". If you give them access to your online banking, they will make it appear as if they're sending you a refund, but they're actually transferring money from your own accounts. Often, the refund is for much more than promised (e.g., $40,000 instead of $400), so the scammer makes a plea for you to send the extra money back so they don't lose their job. They may ask you to wire money to a foreign country, purchase gift cards, or mail cash.
To help avoid this scam:
- Never give control of your computer to anyone who contacts you. If you receive a call about a computer problem, hang up. If you suspect something is wrong with your computer or believe the scammer obtained access to it, bring it to a reputable company for a malware check.
- Don't trust phone numbers provided to you in an email, voicemail, or pop-up ad. If you want to call the company, use the customer service number on their official website. Note: Scammers sometimes purchase ads and create fake customer service websites that will show up on search results.
- If you are asked to wire money from a recent deposit or overpayment, discuss the situation with a banker or trusted friend or family member. Be truthful about the situation, since many scammers direct you to lie about why you're wiring the money.
- Review your account activity to spot signs of fraud, such as an online transfer from your own savings, credit card, or home equity line of credit. If you're unsure of the descriptions used for a transaction, ask a banker to help since many scammers will add a memo to make the transfer appear legitimate.
Scam #4: Real estate wire scams
Real estate wire scams occur when a person who is buying or refinancing a home wires money to a scammer's account based on false wiring instructions received in an email.
To help avoid wire scams:
- Don't be rushed: Know what to expect before closing on a home loan by confirming the process with your lender. Although closing dates may change, there is typically not a last-minute requirement that you send the money to avoid a change in date or risk losing the property. If you receive a last-minute change or urgent request to wire money to avoid losing the property, contact your mortgage consultant before sending any money.
- Confirm the intended recipient: Before wiring money, confirm instructions with your mortgage consultant or title company by calling a phone number you trust. Do not call a new number or respond to an email with new wire instructions. Because wire transfers are typically irreversible, if you make a mistake, you may not be able to get your money back.
More financial scams to watch out for:
- Foreign business or investment scams: You're approached with an offer to fund a lucrative investment or business opportunity, usually in another country. You're directed to act quickly and keep the deal a secret, especially if questioned by your bank when sending the wire.
- Family emergency or grandparent scams: You receive an urgent call or email from someone claiming to be a friend or family member who needs money for an emergency. To appear legitimate, they may provide details (pulled from social media) about your friend or relative in need.
- Romance scams: You meet someone, typically through an online app or social media site, and begin a relationship. Your online interest starts professing their love for you and then begins to ask for money to help with costs such as medical bills or travel expenses to visit you.
- Cryptocurrency scams: Be extremely wary of anyone offering to deal with payments in cryptocurrency. In many cases, there are no safeguards in place when these products are used for payment.
If you're a victim of a online payment or wire transfer scam, report it to your bank immediately. You can also report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Learn more about scam and fraud prevention at the Wells Fargo Security Center.
Tip
Keep security patches and anti-virus programs up to date on your computer and mobile devices.
Enrollment in Wells Fargo Online® Wires is subject to eligibility requirements, and terms and conditions apply. Applicable outgoing or incoming wire transfer service fees apply, unless waived by the terms of your account. Your mobile carrier’s message and data rates may apply. For more information, see the Wells Fargo Online Access Agreement and your applicable account fee disclosures for other terms, conditions, and limitations.
Enrollment with Zelle® through Wells Fargo Online® or Wells Fargo Business Online® is required. Terms and conditions apply. U.S. checking or savings account required to use Zelle®. Transactions between enrolled users typically occur in minutes. For your protection, Zelle® should only be used for sending money to friends, family, or others you trust. Neither Wells Fargo nor Zelle® offers a protection program for authorized payments made with Zelle®. The Request feature within Zelle® is only available through Wells Fargo using a smartphone. Payment requests to persons not already enrolled with Zelle® must be sent to an email address. 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. For more information, view the Zelle® Transfer Service Addendum to the Wells Fargo Online Access Agreement. Your mobile carrier's message and data rates may apply. Account fees (e.g., monthly service, overdraft) may apply to Wells Fargo account(s) with which you use Zelle®.
In addition to the transfer fee, Wells Fargo makes money when it converts one currency to another currency for you. The exchange rate provided to you is set by Wells Fargo in its sole discretion, and it includes a markup. For additional information related to Wires and foreign currency, please see the Wells Fargo Online Access Agreement.
Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.
QSR-0423-01755
LRC-0323
FAQs
How do I protect myself from money transfer scams? ›
- Verify the recipient's information. ...
- Be wary of any urgent or unusual requests for wire transfers. ...
- Use a secure network. ...
- Monitor your accounts regularly. ...
- Enable two-factor authentication and strong security. ...
- Business email compromise. ...
- Romance scams.
If you need to send a wire transfer, use a reputable financial institution with strong security protocols. Encryption technology and two-factor authentication are musts. Before sending any funds, make sure you know who's on the receiving end and double-check all the information provided.
What are the best practices for wire transfers? ›You should verify wiring instructions directly with the payee, preferably by phone, using contact information that is known and reliable. Staff should also verify the bank routing number is correct, and that the bank's location is consistent with where you intend to send the wire.
What is the red flag for wire transfers? ›- Scammers say you've won a prize and need to wire money back to cover taxes and fees.
- Scammers say it's part of a mystery shopping assignment to evaluate a wire transfer service.
- Scammers overpay you for something you're selling online, then ask you to wire back the extra money.
Red Flag #1: The Sender Places a “Rush Request”
While it's not uncommon for a real estate closing date to change, it's always best to follow up electronic requests with a phone call. Often, the scammer will feign an emergency and insist that the transfer take place immediately. Don't fall for this hustle!
Be stingy with your banking information to avoid bank scams. Know that less is best when it comes to sharing info: Avoid giving your account and routing numbers to people you don't know. Another tip to prevent fraud: Go for multi-factor authentication when banking online.
Are wire transfers over $10000 reported to the IRS? ›While the general rule is that wire transfers over $10,000 must be reported to the IRS, there are some exceptions to this requirement. These include: Transactions that are conducted by financial institutions on behalf of the US government. Transactions that are conducted between financial institutions.
Can bank transfer be reverse if scammed? ›If you act fast, you can stop the fraud wire transfer from reaching the recipient, or in a rare scenario, reverse it if the bank is involved in the issue as well. The first step is to call your bank to request the recall immediately.
What are the golden rules to protect yourself against scams? ›Beware of any requests for your details or money.
Never send money or give credit card details, online account details or copies of personal documents to anyone you don't know or trust. Don't agree to transfer money or goods for someone else: money laundering is a criminal offence.
First, you should try blocking the user. Venmo, PayPal and Cash App let you do this, and they don't notify the person you blocked. This prevents people from finding your account and sending you money with unwelcome messages attached. To block them, you first need to find their accounts.