Insights & Information

How to Keep Your Accounts Safe With Zelle

  • By Sikorsky Credit Union
  • May 22, 2023

Whether you are new to sending money electronically or have been a user for some time, it is important to educate yourself on how to keep your accounts safe. Fraudsters are everywhere, including Zelle, Venmo, PayPal, etc. Keep these tips in mind when sending money through these platforms.

Know The Recipient
Only send money to people you know. If you get a cash request from someone you DO NOT recognize do not honor their request. If you get a cash request from someone you DO recognize, call or contact them using a phone number you know is correct to confirm they made the request before sending money through the app.

Monitor Your Accounts
In general, it’s important to monitor your accounts for fraudulent activity because fraud can happen to anyone. If you see any unusual activity, contact your financial institution immediately. Use Online Banking or the mobile app to monitor your accounts in real time.

Enable Multifactor Authentication
Change your security settings to enable multifactor authentication so you always must prove who you are in two separate ways – for example, a text message with a code in addition to your username and password.

Be Vigilant
If you get a message that seems suspicious do not respond. Keep in mind Sikorsky Credit Union will never send an unsolicited request. We will not call you, send you emails, mail you letters or use online pop-ups or other methods to request this information. If you receive an unsolicited request from Sikorsky Credit Union, even if the request appears to be legitimate, do not provide any confidential information, such as Social Security Number; birth date; account numbers; credit or debit card account numbers, expiration dates or CVV codes (three-digit security code located on the back of your card); Online Banking login IDs, passwords, or debit card or Smart Teller PINS.

Know the Signs
It's also important to know the scam signs to look out for.

  1. Fraudsters will often pretend to be from a well-known organization, like the IRS. They can use technology to mimic the phone number of these well-known places too.
  2. Scammers also will often say that there is a problem or you have won a prize (and you have to pay a fee to receive it).
  3. It’s also a red flag if you are encouraged to act immediately. Scammers don’t want you to have time to think.
  4. Lastly, they often will tell you to pay them in a certain way, like a money wire for example.