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Send Money in the Moment with Zelle®

Posted in Security, Financial Tips

Zelle is a fast, safe, and easy way to send money directly between almost any bank accounts within the U.S., typically within minutes.

Zelle offers a convenient solution to alleviate concerns related to handling cash, writing checks, or receiving payments via check. Enrolled customers benefit from receiving electronic payment notifications, effectively eliminating the risk of personal checks being lost or stolen during the mailing process.

With just an email address or U.S. mobile phone number, you can send money to people you know and trust, no matter where they bank1. You can avoid sharing sensitive financial account information and good news, there is no need to download another app! Bank First customers can use Zelle to send money within our mobile app or online banking.

Get started today! Once enrolled in Bank First Bill Pay2, you can easily send and receive money from friends, family, and others you trust. Here's how it works from the Bank First mobile app:

  1. Select the "Transfer and Pay" tab. Then, "Send money with Zelle". (Also available as a quick link from the main menu.)
  2. Read and accept Terms and Conditions.
  3. Enroll your email address or U.S. mobile number. Done!

You may also access Zelle from the Bill Pay/Zelle menu when logged into Bank First Online Banking.

If you're not currently enrolled in Bank First Bill Pay, a few simple steps within Online Banking from your browser will get you started. Enroll in Bill Bay, then accept Terms and Conditions. While Bill Pay enrollment is required through your browser, you may access Bill Pay and Zelle through our mobile app after initial activation. You must be 18 years of age or older and have a Bank First checking account to use Bill Pay.

It's important to remember that you should never send money to individuals you haven't personally met, and Zelle should not be utilized for buying items from online auction or sales platforms. Neither Zelle nor Bank First provides a protection program in case you don't receive the purchased item or if it doesn't match the description or your expectations.

Please don't hesitate to reach out to your local Bank First office if you need assistance setting up Zelle or if we can assist you in any other matters.


AVOIDING PAYMENT APP SCAMS

As we know, fraudsters take advantage of every product, service, and opportunity they can to steal money or information. It's important to stay on guard and be money smart when using convenient services like Zelle. Remember that sending money through payment apps is like sending cash and it can be nearly impossible to get money back when sent to a scammer.

Scammers are still:

  • Demanding immediate action.
  • Pretending to be a loved one in trouble.
  • Using lottery schemes to make you pay fees to collect a prize.
  • Selling fake online items, tickets, or animals.
  • Pretending to be your bank or tech support to help solve a "critical error" or "protect" your computer/account(s).

In fact, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)* recently referenced a scam regarding bank-to-bank transfers. "Scammers pose as your bank and tell you there’s a problem with your account. To 'protect' your account, the scammer tells you step-by-step instructions to transfer money from your bank account into a new account in your name. But that new account really belongs to the scammer, so after you make the transfer, your money will be gone."

Make it a habit to verify any request by contacting the person, bank, or business directly at a phone number you know to be valid. Bank First will never initiate contact to ask you to transfer money into a new account via Zelle (above example) or as for sensitive information such as complete account numbers, your PIN, passcodes, or your online banking credentials. If you feel uncertain about providing any information, it is okay to hang up and call the number available on your account statement or on our website.

*Link to FTC article: www.consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/08

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