Strange...I Didn't Remember Applying for a Loan
Last Saturday, my phone pinged with a text message that would turn my life upside down. I figured it was my friend Julia reaching out for our usual weekend plans. But instead of her name, the screen displayed “Logix Federal Credit Union” - where I’ve been a member for years.
The message read:
Credit Union Alert - Did you attempt a Zelle payment for $1,500.00?
Reply YES or NO or 1 to Decline Fraud Alerts.
I reread it more slowly, thinking I had missed something in the message. A Zelle payment for that amount? No way. I would have remembered making such a large transaction.
Within seconds of typing NO, my phone rang.
My stomach dropped as I realized this might not have been from my credit union. I had read about Zelle phishing scams and remembered that replying in any way was a bad idea.
But what if there really was someone out there trying to steal $1,500 from my account?
The incoming call displayed "Logix Federal Credit Union" across the top of the screen. I answered the call.
"Hello. This is John Smith from Logix. We believe there may have been a fraudulent transaction on your Zelle account. I need to verify some information so we can protect your account."
My heart was pounding hard as I gave him my full name, Zelle account login credentials, and online banking username and password. Every instinct told me not to share it, but I couldn’t afford to lose $1,500. I had rent and a car payment due the following week.
As soon as I had provided the last detail, John said, "Thank you for verifying your identity and account information, Tammy. We'll get this sorted out right away." And just like that, he ended the call.
A sick feeling washed over me as I realized I gave a stranger all the data he needed to wreak havoc on my finances.
Tammy was right to be suspicious of the text message and phone call. When she contacted Logix using the phone number on the official website, she learned there was no record of a fraud alert or anyone from the credit union contacting her by telephone. She also learned that “John Smith” logged into her account and transferred her balance to an external account within minutes of them ending the call.
Zelle scammers pose as employees of trusted businesses and “phish” for sensitive data they can use to access financial accounts. In this case, bad actors spoofed the phone number from her financial institution and tricked Tammy into sharing the information.
You can avoid Zelle scams by following these safety tips:
- Refuse to share login credentials and 2-factor authentication codes with anyone.
- Do not reply to Zelle fraud alerts. Contact Logix’s Card Fraud Center at 888-241-2440 if you receive a fraud alert.
Knowing what to do when faced with a potential fraudster can be challenging. Remember that any reply to a fraud text alert can put your bank account at risk. Responding confirms to the fraudster that they have reached a valid phone number.
It is crucial to confirm written or spoken messages you receive from a financial institution. This may take more time, but it can prevent fraudulent activity on your account.
Logix will never ask you for your online banking credentials. However, we may contact you if:
- You contacted us at our main phone number (800-328-5328) and asked us to call you back.
- A Logix representative has scheduled an appointment with you. We may call to confirm the meeting time.
- You asked for information about an existing or new account or new financial product. A Logix representative may try to reach you to provide answers or ask follow-up questions.
Explore other ways you can protect your accounts by visiting Logix Fraud and ID Theft Prevention and Zelle® Fraud and Scams Overview.
If someone claiming to be a Logix employee contacts you and you are unsure if it is legitimate, please contact us through our chat service on our website or call us at 800-328-5328 to confirm that we are trying to contact you.
>> Click here for more fraud-related resources