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Avoiding P2P Scams

Illustration warning about peer-to-peer payment scams

Fraud & Security

Before You Tap “Send,” Stop.

Peer-to-peer payment apps make sending money fast and easy. Scammers know that too.

Think Before You Send

The faster money can move, the less time you have to realize something isn’t right.

Services like Zelle, Venmo, Cash App and PayPal can make it incredibly convenient to split a restaurant bill, reimburse a friend or send money to someone you trust.

That speed and convenience can also make P2P payments attractive to scammers. Instead of breaking into an account, a criminal may simply try to convince you to authorize the payment yourself.

Scammers use impersonation, urgency, fake purchases, account warnings and other forms of social engineering to get you to act before you have time to question what is happening.

One Rule Worth Remembering

Treat a P2P Payment Like Cash

Before you tap Send, make sure you know exactly who is receiving your money and why.

How It Happens

The Scam May Start with Something Completely Ordinary

Imagine you’re browsing an online marketplace and finally find something you’ve been searching for. The price is great. The seller says several other people are interested.

“If you want me to hold it, just send me $100.”

You don’t want to lose the deal, so you send the money. Then the seller disappears.

The scam worked because the criminal created enough urgency to convince you to press Send before you had time to verify the story.

Know the Scam Before It Finds You

Common P2P Scams

Swipe through the examples below, or select a number to jump directly to a scam.

SCAM 01

“Oops, I Sent You Money”

Someone you don’t know sends you money and then contacts you in a panic. They say they entered the wrong phone number and ask you to send the money back.

Don’t simply send it back.
The original transaction could involve stolen payment information. Contact the payment service through its official app or website and let the provider handle it.

SCAM 02

“Your Account Has Been Compromised”

A caller or text claims there is suspicious activity on your account. You may be told money was transferred, your account is about to be frozen or you need to take immediate action.

Stop.
Never give someone your password, PIN or one-time security code. If the message claims to be from AGCU, contact AGCU directly using contact information you know is legitimate.

SCAM 03

“Pay Now or We’ll Shut It Off”

Someone claims your utility, subscription or another important service is about to be disconnected unless you send money immediately through a payment app.

Don’t let their deadline become your emergency.
End the conversation and contact the company directly using a phone number or website you independently verify.

SCAM 04

“Send a Deposit and I’ll Hold It”

It could be concert tickets, furniture, an apartment, a vacation rental, a puppy or almost anything being sold online. You’re told somebody else wants it too, but a quick P2P deposit will hold it for you.

Don’t let fear of missing out override your judgment.
P2P payments are safest when you’re sending money to people you know and trust.

SCAM 05

“I Already Paid You”

You’re selling something and the buyer sends a screenshot or email that appears to show payment.

Don’t trust the screenshot. Trust your account.
Open the payment app or your financial account directly and verify that the money actually arrived before handing over merchandise.
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Before You Send Money

DO / DON’T

Small habits can make it much harder for a scammer to rush you into a bad decision.

DO

Verify the Recipient

Double-check the recipient’s name, phone number, email address and payment amount before you send anything.

DON’T

Send Money to Someone You Don’t Know

P2P apps are best used between people who know and trust one another.

DO

Slow Down

Urgency is one of a scammer’s favorite tools. Give yourself time to verify what you’re being told.

DON’T

Send Money to “Protect” Your Account

Never send a payment to yourself or another person because a caller says doing so will stop fraud or secure your account.

DO

Use Strong Security

Use unique passwords, enable multifactor authentication, turn on transaction alerts and keep payment apps updated.

DON’T

Share Security Codes

Never give another person your password, PIN or one-time verification code.

DO

Verify Transactions Yourself

Open the payment app or financial account directly instead of relying on screenshots, texts or emailed receipts.

DON’T

Trust an Unexpected Contact

If someone claiming to represent AGCU contacts you unexpectedly, don’t use a phone number or link they provide. Contact AGCU directly.

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Frequently Asked Questions

P2P Scams: What Members Should Know

What is a P2P payment?

A peer-to-peer, or P2P, payment lets you electronically send money to another person, typically using a mobile app or online service. Common P2P services include Zelle, Venmo, Cash App and PayPal.

What is a P2P scam?

A P2P scam occurs when a criminal uses deception, impersonation or other social engineering tactics to convince someone to send money through a P2P payment service.

Are P2P payment apps safe?

P2P services can be a convenient way to exchange money, especially between people who know and trust one another. Problems often arise when scammers convince users to willingly send money to someone they do not actually know.

Why can P2P payments be difficult to recover?

P2P payments may move very quickly. When a person willingly authorizes a payment after being deceived by a scammer, retrieving those funds may be difficult or impossible. This is why it is so important to verify the recipient before sending money.

Will AGCU ever ask me to send money to myself?

No. If someone tells you to send money to yourself or another person in order to protect your AGCU account, stop communicating with them and contact AGCU directly.

What should I do if someone accidentally sends me money?

Don’t automatically send an unexpected payment back. Contact the P2P provider through its official app or website and report the transaction. Let the provider determine how the payment should be handled.

What should I do if I think I’ve been scammed?

Act quickly. Contact the P2P payment provider and AGCU as soon as possible. If account credentials may have been compromised, change affected passwords and review your accounts for suspicious activity.

If Something Goes Wrong

Act Quickly

  1. Contact the P2P payment service and report the transaction.
  2. Contact AGCU as soon as possible if your AGCU account or card may be involved.
  3. Change any passwords or security credentials that may have been compromised.
  4. Continue monitoring your accounts for suspicious activity.

Trust Your Instincts

When Something Doesn’t Feel Right, Stop.

Scammers want you to act before you have time to think. Give yourself that time. Verify the person. Verify the reason. Verify the payment information.

If someone claiming to represent AGCU asks you to move money, provide a security code or take immediate action, stop the conversation and contact us directly.

Protecting your financial well-being is part of Banking with a Purpose.