AARP Hearing Center
A scam isn't complete until money has changed hands. So crooks expertly use all available methods to make that happen quickly and easily. Increasingly, they're using these four popular money-transfer approaches. But pause and ask yourself, Would an ordinary business or government agency ask for money using one of these payment methods? If someone calls and seeks cash from you in one of these ways, take a long moment to consider.
Money-transfer apps
Peer-to-peer apps like Venmo, Zelle and Cash App allow you to move funds easily to a friend or relative who also has an account. But apps like these say in their user agreements that they are designed to be used by people who know and trust each other, and they note that they don't offer consumer protections. The best-known transfer app, PayPal, does mediate disputed transactions. But caution is critical when using most of these apps. If someone you don't know has something for sale and will take the money only via a peer-to-peer money-transfer app, you should decline.
Wire transfer
Fraudsters Ramp Up Their Schemes in the New Year
Changes in Social Security cost-of-living benefits that went into effect Jan. 1 will open the window to a new round of scams, experts warn.
"The Social Security impostor scammers will use this as an opportunity to confuse you with messages about your accounts,” says AARP Fraud Watch Network's Amy Nofziger. “Remember, the SSA will not call you to demand payment with prepaid gift cards or cash."
Those schemes rocketed to new highs in 2019. The Social Security Administration received more than 450,000 impostor complaints during the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, its Office of Inspector General says, up from 15,221 the previous year. Under this scam, criminals mislead victims into making cash or gift card payments or wiring money to avoid a phony threat to shut down their Social Security account.
These tried-and-true services are good for sending funds to loved ones. But criminals love them, too. Wire transfers are often requested as part of sweepstakes and lottery scams, where you are asked to send money to help process big winnings — which never materialize. When a MoneyGram or Western Union transfer falls into the hands of a crook, it's untraceable. There are limited protections on this type of transfer. If you are ever asked to pay for a product or service via money transfer, consider it a red flag.
