SCOTTSDALE, AZ – On World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Early Warning Services, LLC, the network operator of Zelle®, today announced a new partnership with the National Council on Aging (NCOA). The partnership starts with a national campaign featuring financial wellness expert, Amanda Clayman, that delivers guidance on how to avoid falling victim to scams.

“Zelle® and NCOA are helping to bridge the gap between mental health and financial wellbeing,” said Amanda Clayman, financial therapist and Zelle® partner. “Educating older adults on social engineering tactics that scammers often use is essential to stopping scammers in their tracks.” According to a brief from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, it is estimated that 20% of people aged 55 years or older experience some mental health concern¹, and the latest Zelle® study shows a large majority of all Americans believe finances impact their mental health (72%)².

“Our goal is to empower older adults with knowledge, so they can avoid scams and stay financially secure,” said Genevieve Waterman, Director of Economic and Financial Security at NCOA. “That’s why our educational partnership with Zelle® is more important than ever.”

Spreading Elder Abuse Awareness

Zelle® and NCOA have created an informational video featuring Clayman that explains social engineering tactics scammers use to target older adults. Clayman offers practical tips and red flags for older adults to watch for, so they can protect themselves.

Additionally, on June 21, Clayman will speak at NCOA’s Age+Action 2023 Conference to deliver real-time guidance to professionals who serve older adults in the community.

In addition to this awareness campaign, NCOA and Zelle® will pilot new educational materials with older adults through NCOA’s national network of senior centers.

About Zelle®

Zelle® is transforming how money moves, with more than five billion digital payments sent since its launch in 2017. The Zelle Network® connects nearly 2,000 financial institutions of all sizes, enabling consumers and businesses to send digital payments to people and businesses they know and trust with an eligible bank account in the U.S. Money is available directly in bank accounts generally within minutes when the recipient is already enrolled with Zelle®. To learn more about Zelle® and participating financial institutions in the Zelle Network® visit www.zelle.com. Zelle® is brought to you by Early Warning Services, LLC, an innovator in payment and risk management solutions.

About NCOA

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. We believe that how we age should not be determined by gender, color, sexuality, income, or zip code. Working with thousands of national and local partners, we provide resources, tools, best practices, and advocacy to ensure every person can age with health and financial security. Founded in 1950, we are the oldest national organization focused on older adults. Learn more at www.ncoa.org and @NCOAging.

Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.
 

¹ Centers for Disease Control, “The State of Mental Health and Aging in America,” 2020.

² Zelle®, “Money & Mental Health” Study, 2023.

MIAMI – Today, Zelle® joins as a founding sponsor of Country Bay Music Festival, the largest country music festival happening in Miami-Dade County on November 11 - 12. As part of its founding partner sponsorship, Zelle® will provide fans with unforgettable experiences and access to country music’s biggest stars. Headliners Thomas Rhett, Sam Hunt and Lainey Wilson will perform from the Zelle® Stage and fans will enjoy engaging experiences throughout the two-day festival from inside Purple Paradise, the largest fan activation area at Country Bay Music Festival.

“Experiences like the Country Bay Music Festival – where friends and family can share in the moment and create wonderful memories – are what Zelle® is all about,” said Andrea Gilman, chief marketing officer of Early Warning®, the network operator of Zelle®. “Zelle® gives consumers a fast and easy way to send money to friends and family right from their banking app.”

Through this new partnership, Zelle® will also provide fans with a chance to win a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Courtesy of Zelle®, select fans will win passes to watch performances from a private section located on the Zelle® stage. Fans attending the Country Bay Music Festival are invited to spend time with Zelle® in Purple Paradise and engage with the brand on social media for a chance to win exclusive VIP experiences.

“We welcome Zelle® to the Country Bay Music Festival family and are excited about the unique elements they will bring to enhance the overall festival experience for our artists and Miami fans,” said Nelson Albareda, CEO, Loud And Live, the live events, media, marketing, and entertainment company producing the event.

To learn more about Country Bay Music Festival, and preview exclusive partnership content, follow Zelle® on Instagram and Facebook.

About Country Bay Music Festival

Miami-Dade’s largest country music event is happening, the Country Bay Music Festival is set to be staged November 11-12, 2023, on the grounds of the iconic Miami Marine Stadium at Key Biscayne. Headliners include Thomas Rhett, Sam Hunt, Chris Young, Lainey Wilson, Lee Brice, Randy Houser, Chris Lane, LOCASH and Elle King, plus Restless Road, Blanco Brown, Josh Ross, Hailey Whitters, David J., and Neon Union. Rising stars rounding out the two-day festival include BRELAND, Alexandra Rodriguez, Nate Smith, Travis Denning, Mackenzie Carpenter, and Jordan Oaks, among others. The festival offerings also include “The Saloon Experience,” a 360-degree country-themed bar complete with mechanical bull; The Country Carnival with the Country Bay Ferris Wheel, high swings, carnival games and indulgent carnival food; Lenny’s Line Dancing and the Boots and Beer Garden.

NEW YORK and WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Zelle® is launching S.A.F.E. Squad – Scam and Fraud Elimination Squad – a creative campaign designed to educate U.S. consumers about safe payment usage. Reaching a broad audience of consumers, the campaign is intended to raise awareness about payments safety.

Drawing inspiration from classic procedural detective shows, the S.A.F.E. Squad campaign features a team of investigators, with the lead portrayed by notable actor and producer Christina Ricci, as they explore and combat imposter scams. Together, the investigators provide viewers with valuable insights and offer advice on how to protect themselves from scams. In addition to the entertaining videos, the campaign features an interactive microsite with facts about imposter scams, and quizzes to help consumers test their knowledge on avoiding these crimes.

“As someone who has been targeted by scammers, I am thrilled for the opportunity to partner with Zelle® to help educate people, raise awareness about fraudulent payment schemes, and arm consumers with ways to protect themselves before they fall victim to a scam,” said actor and producer, Christina Ricci.

“Zelle® is proud to have educated millions of consumers in the U.S. to date this year, but we won’t stop there. We’re now spearheading a multi-platform, consumer education campaign as part of our ongoing commitment to payment safety,” said Andrea Gilman, chief marketing officer at Early Warning, the network operator of Zelle. “As part of our longstanding, multi-year commitment to empower U.S. consumers to protect themselves from criminals, this is one of the many ways we’re rooting out crime. Our efforts also include technology developments, in-app security alerts, public-private partnerships, and advocacy around public policy changes.”

Early Warning, the network operator of Zelle®, has educated millions of consumers on digital payments safety in 2023. In addition to the launch of S.A.F.E. Squad, the company has educated consumers of all ages through partnerships with the Better Business Bureau, National Council on Aging, EVERFI, Cybercrime Support Network, HerCampus Media and more.

The creative campaign was created in partnership with Vox Media. To learn more about S.A.F.E. Squad and the extensive consumer safety education efforts by Zelle®, visit: www.vox.com/safesquadhq.

About Zelle®

Zelle® is transforming how money moves, with more than five billion digital payments sent since its launch in 2017. The Zelle Network® connects more than 2,100 bank and credit union brands of all sizes, enabling consumers and businesses to send digital payments to people and businesses they know and trust with an eligible bank account in the U.S. Money is available directly in bank accounts generally within minutes when the recipient is already enrolled with Zelle®. To learn more about Zelle® and participating financial institutions in the Zelle Network®, visit www.zelle.com. Zelle® is brought to you by Early Warning Services, LLC, an innovator in payment and risk management solutions.

Zelle® and the Zelle® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC.

NEW YORK and ARLINGTON, VA –  Zelle® is partnering with the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust (BBB Institute), the Better Business Bureau’s® educational foundation and the Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA) to help educate and empower our nation’s active-duty military, veterans, and their families on financial security.  

Research shows that military service members are 40% more likely to lose money to scams and fraud than the civilian population, making scam awareness and education especially important for the military community. Through a year-long “train-the-trainer” program, the BBB Institute will prepare trainers to deliver monthly in-person and virtual training to military and veteran communities across the United States. 

The first several months of the program will be dedicated to equipping BBB trainers along with financial counselors from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) professionals from the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education® (AFCPE) with extensive fraud and scam education and building out a robust monthly curriculum. Local trainers will then host in-person sessions across the country to address the needs of our veterans, service members and their families. 

“As a veteran, I know how important it is to have peace of mind that you and your family are financially safe and secure while on deployment,” said Ben Chance, chief fraud risk management officer at Early Warning Services, LLC, the owner and operator of the Zelle Network®.

LOS ANGELES – Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC) today announced Zelle® as a Golden Boot Club corporate partner and the official peer-to-peer payment provider of LAFC. The Club’s Golden Boot Club platform is comprised of top-tier partnerships, which provide exclusive access, visibility, and experiences for LAFC’s elite partnership level.

Zelle, a leading person-to-person payment (P2P) provider is the new presenting partner of LAFC Gold, the Club’s loyalty program which offers exclusive access and benefits to fans in Los Angeles and around the world.

“Zelle is an innovative payments industry leader that shares our vision of providing a first-class fan experience and community support,” said LAFC co-president and chief business officer Larry Freedman. “We are thrilled to welcome Zelle as a sponsor to the LAFC family and partner together to serve the Los Angeles community for years to come.”

Zelle will have a presence at BMO Stadium as the presenting partner of the premium guest entrance – the newly re-named Zelle® Grand Lobby. Zelle also partnered with the LAFC on “Saves for the Community,” a new initiative tied to one of the most exciting plays in football – the save. 

“Our partnership with the LAFC is an opportunity to enhance the in-game fan experience, by investing in our communities,” said Cameron Fowler, chief executive officer at Early Warning Services. “Zelle® is proud to commit $1,000 for every regular season save made by an LAFC goalie in support of Latinos for Education and their mission to create pathways for Latino educators to serve as decision makers and advocates for Latino students and families, increase representation, and foster collective empowerment.”

In addition to community support, Zelle is committed to improving the fan experience. With Zelle, the LAFC faithful can easily split the cost of the tickets, food, and other experiences. For example, new "Settle up in the 70th" signage during home games encourages fans at BMO Stadium to pay their friends and family back with Zelle, as concession stands close in the 70th minute.

About Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC)

The 2022 MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Football Club has represented the greater Los Angeles area in Major League Soccer since 2018. The two-time Supporters’ Shield Champions, LAFC is dedicated to building a world-class soccer Club that represents the diversity of Los Angeles and is committed to delivering an unrivaled experience for fans. LAFC’s ownership group is comprised of local leaders and innovators of industry with intellectual capital, financial prowess, operations expertise and success in the fields of entertainment, sports, technology and media. LAFC is invested in the world’s game and Los Angeles, constructing and developing the 22,000 seat BMO Stadium and a top-flight training center on the campus of Cal State Los Angeles.

About Zelle® 

Zelle® is transforming how money moves, with more than five billion digital payments sent since its launch in 2017. The Zelle Network® connects more than 2,100 bank and credit union brands of all sizes, enabling consumers and businesses to send digital payments to people and businesses they know and trust with an eligible bank account in the U.S. Money is available directly in bank accounts generally within minutes when the recipient is already enrolled with Zelle®. To learn more about Zelle® and participating financial institutions in the Zelle Network®, visit www.zelle.com. Zelle® is brought to you by Early Warning Services, LLC, an innovator in payment and risk management solutions.

ARLINGTON, VA – As World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) approaches on June 15, Early Warning Services, LLC, the company behind Zelle®, and the National Council on Aging (NCOA) are launching a national campaign to educate and empower older adults with knowledge on how to spot and avoid online scams.

The campaign encourages older adults, caregivers, and organizations to help spread safety education tips developed by Zelle® and NCOA by using a social media toolkit. The toolkit provides content for multiple social platforms and links to informative and engaging resources specifically designed for older adults.

NCOA and Zelle® have created educational articles and videos covering business impostor scams, online scams, and text messaging scams. The materials will be disseminated through NCOA’s network of community-based organizations across the country, including nearly 11,000 senior centers, 90 organizations that enroll older adults in benefits, Senior Community Service and Employment Program sites, and numerous healthy aging grantees.

Payment scams and other types of online fraud can have a devastating financial and emotional impact on older Americans. In 2023, 18% of fraud was reported by people ages 60-69 and 13% by people ages 70-79. Together, older Americans lost over $1.6 billion, according to the Federal Trade Commission, which collects fraud data. The most commonly reported scam category was imposter scams, which saw significant increases in reports of both business and government impersonators.

“Research shows that when people are exposed to relevant education on financial crime and payments safety, they are significantly less likely to engage with scammers and to lose money,” said Andrea Gilman, Early Warning chief marketing officer. ““We at Zelle® believe that consumer education is a critical piece in the multi-layered approach to fighting financial criminals, alongside implementing technology safeguards and forming public-private partnerships. In addition to our consumer protection efforts, we are actively working with policymakers and other payment networks to look across the entire ecosystem to truly address the $1 trillion threat of fraud and scams that impacts consumers around the world, whether they pay with crypto, wire transfers, gift cards, or using a peer-to-peer service.”

Last year alone, Zelle® educated nearly 40 million consumers of all ages through their partnerships with organizations like NCOA, the Better Business Bureau, and others.

“As more older adults are adopting new forms of technology and communication, they are more vulnerable to being a victim of a scam,” said Genevieve Waterman, NCOA director of Corporate Partnerships and Engagement. “Our educational materials will show older adults the different techniques financial criminals use and will help them recognize the telltale signs of scams.”

Held each year on June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day aims to raise awareness about the abuse and neglect some older adults may experience. It serves as a reminder to governments, organizations, and communities to take steps to prevent elder abuse and protect the rights and dignity of older adults worldwide.

About Zelle®

Zelle® is transforming how money moves, with more than five billion digital payments sent since its launch in 2017. The Zelle Network® connects more than 2,100 bank and credit union brands of all sizes, enabling consumers and businesses to send digital payments to people and businesses they know and trust with an eligible bank account in the U.S. Money is available directly in bank accounts generally within minutes when the recipient is already enrolled with Zelle®. To learn more about Zelle® and participating financial institutions in the Zelle Network®, visit www.zelle.com. Zelle® is brought to you by Early Warning Services, LLC, an innovator in payment and risk management solutions.

About NCOA

The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is the national voice for every person’s right to age well. We believe that how we age should not be determined by gender, color, sexuality, income, or ZIP code. Working with thousands of national and local partners, we provide resources, tools, best practices, and advocacy to ensure every person can age with health and financial security. Founded in 1950, we are the oldest national organization focused on older adults. Learn more at www.ncoa.org and @NCOAging.

NEW YORK and ARLINGTON, VA – The BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust (BBB Institute) and the educational foundation of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus (IABBB), has announced members of the Military & Veterans Initiative Advisory Board. This advisory board’s initial focus will be on guiding the development of a program to educate our Nation’s active-duty military, veterans, and their families about safely navigating the marketplace, and to empower their financial security. The program is sponsored by Zelle in partnership with the Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA).

Through this year-long “train-the-trainer” program, BBB Institute will prepare a select cohort to deliver in-person and virtual training to military families and veterans across the U.S. The goal is to help veterans, service members, and their families navigate real-life financial situations and plan for their future. Trainers for this program will include community outreach professionals from local U.S. BBBs as well as credit counselors from the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and Accredited Financial Counselors from the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education® (AFCPE). The train-the-trainer program is expected to launch in Q3 2024. 

The program’s curriculum is tailored to the military and veteran community with guidance from subject matter experts serving on the BBB Military & Veterans Initiative Advisory Board. Members include:

• Kris McBride, Chief Operating Officer, Air Force Aid Society
• Eldon Mullis, COO, Army Emergency Relief
• Valerie Richards, Education Programs Manager, Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education®
• Andia Dinesen, EVP – Communications & Operations, Assoc. of Military Banks of America
• Shelley Polansky, CEO, Better Business Bureau-Northern Colorado/Wyoming
• Fredlena Cosby, Marketing & Communications Manager, Better Business Bureau-SE VA/NE NC
• Jason Wong, COO, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance
• Edward Carr, Military Affairs, Comcast NBCUniversal
• Shay Cook, Financial Readiness Manager, FINRA Investor Education Foundation
• Tara Alderete, Director Enterprise Learning, National Foundation for Credit Counseling
• Tammy Barlet, VP Government Affairs, Student Veterans of America
• Monica Rivera, Chief-Stakeholder Engagement & Organizational Change Mgmt., U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
• Ben Chance, Chief Fraud Risk Management Officer, Zelle®
• Nolan Ashton, Senior Partnerships Manager, Zelle® 

More information about the Military & Veterans Initiative can be found on the BBB Institute website. 

About BBB 

The Better Business Bureau has empowered people to find businesses, brands, and charities they can trust for over 110 years. In 2023, people turned to BBB more than 218 million times for BBB Business Profiles on 5.3 million businesses, and 80,000 times for BBB charity reports on about 12,000 charities, for free at BBB.org. The International Association of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for the local, independent BBBs in the United States and Canada. 

About the BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust 

The BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust (BBB Institute) is the educational foundation of the International Association of Better Business Bureaus. The organization’s mission is to educate and protect consumers, promote best practices for businesses, and solve complex marketplace problems. BBB Institute’s consumer educational programs, which include a wide array of resources on fraud prevention and education, are delivered digitally and in person by BBBs serving communities across the United States and Canada. You can find more information about BBB Institute and its programs at BBBMarketplaceTrust.org. 

About Zelle®

Zelle® is transforming how money moves, with more than five billion digital payments sent since its launch in 2017. The Zelle Network® connects more than 2,100 bank and credit union brands of all sizes, enabling consumers and businesses to send digital payments to people and businesses they know and trust with an eligible bank account in the U.S. Money is available directly in bank accounts generally within minutes when the recipient is already enrolled with Zelle®. To learn more about Zelle® and participating financial institutions in the Zelle Network®, visit www.zelle.com. Zelle® is brought to you by Early Warning Services, LLC, an innovator in payment and risk management solutions. 

About the Association of Military Banks of America 

The Association of Military Banks of America (AMBA) was founded in 1959. AMBA is a not-for-profit association of banks operating on military installations, banks not located on military installations but serving military customers, and military banking facilities designated by the U.S. Treasury. The association’s membership includes both community banks and large multinational financial institutions, all of which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.