Goods and Services Scams

Exclusive online deals could make sticking to your budget easier. But not every offer is a genuine bargain. Some fraudsters pose as sellers to lure unsuspecting consumers into sending them money with no intention of providing the promised goods or services.

When the Price Isn’t Right

Scammers target shoppers using fake websites, online marketplaces, and social media. Attention-grabbing headlines often include phrases like, "offer expires soon," and "only one left." Product descriptions may also include fake reviews to appear legitimate.

Some phony ads and listings only accept digital payment apps like Zelle^®, which is a red flag. Bad actors may send counterfeit or inferior products, or fail to deliver anything at all. Authorizing a Zelle^® payment to a scammer may make it difficult to recover your funds.

Fraudsters also pose as buyers, insisting on Zelle^® as the payment method. They plan to use the trusted app to send a fake payment notification to the seller. Believing they’ve been paid, the seller sends the item to the scammer, who then stops communicating.

4 Ways to Avoid a Goods and Services Scam

1. Be wary of below-market deals. Scammers often lure victims with bogus discounts and phony offers.
2. Ignore local buyers or sellers who refuse to meet in person. Anonymous transactions could be a sign that a scammer is behind the listing.
3. Verify payments within the Zelle^® app. Do not release items to a buyer before confirming payment in the app.
4. Only send and receive money from people or verified businesses you know and trust. Remember that Zelle^® is not designed to protect you from scammers posing as buyers or sellers.

For more security tips or to report fraud, visit the Wescom Security Center on wescom.org/security-center.