ANN ARBOR, MI – Cybercrime Support Network (CSN) today announced that Early Warning Services, LLC, the network operator of Zelle®, has joined the nonprofit collaboration as a lead sponsor. With cybercrime on the rise and the use of digital payment systems continuing to grow across the U.S., it's essential to educate the public on how to protect themselves. Zelle® and CSN will work together to spread awareness and educate consumers and small businesses on financial fraud and scams.

Pay it Safe – Resources and Tips for Safe Payments

An April 2021 study commissioned by Zelle® unveils key findings in consumer behavior around financial literacy. About a quarter of consumers surveyed report being a victim of a scam, and almost half report knowing someone who was scammed. Through its Pay It Safe initiatives, Zelle® helps educate consumers on protecting themselves and their money:

• Only send money to those you trust.
• Beware of payment scams.
• Treat Zelle® (or any digital payment system) like cash.

By partnering with nonprofits, Zelle® is extending its focus on the consumer protection of fraud and scam issues related to current events, including COVID-19. As a sponsor of CSN, the company continues its obligation to help consumers transition safely to digital banking services through education.

"The Federal Trade Commission’s data shows that of reported fraud last year, in the fourth quarter alone, losses involving some form of payment system (credit cards, gift cards, wire or bank transfers) exceeded $434M. It’s not surprising that financial fraud and purchase scam resources are some of our most sought after on FightCybercrime.org," said Kristin Judge, CSN's CEO. "We are honored to collaborate with Zelle® to provide scam and fraud resources to reach even more individuals and small businesses impacted by cybercrime."

Early Warning's Director of Consumer Marketing, Alexis Castorina, and Sr. Director of Network Operating Rules, Julie Jeffer, will serve on the CSN advisory board, sharing their expertise and guidance for CSN's growing programs.

"As banking continues to evolve, it's important for us as a company to invest in consumer advocacy opportunities that help educate individuals and small businesses on digital banking safety and ways they can protect their identities online," said Castorina. "Through our partnership, CSN’s educational materials will be made available to all of our Zelle Network® partner financial institutions for distribution to their customers.”

About Zelle®

Brought to you by Early Warning Services, LLC, an innovator in payment and risk management solutions, Zelle® makes it fast, safe and easy for money to move. The Zelle Network® connects financial institutions of all sizes, enabling consumers and businesses to send fast digital payments to people they know and trust with a bank account in the U.S. Funds are available directly in bank accounts generally within minutes when the recipient is already enrolled with Zelle®. To learn more about Zelle® and its participating financial institutions, visit www.zelle.com.

About Cybercrime Support Network

Cybercrime Support Network (CSN) is a public-private, 501(c)(3) nonprofit collaboration whose mission is to serve individuals and businesses impacted by cybercrime. With the strong support of our sponsors, Craig Newmark Philanthropies - AT&T - Capital One - Cisco Systems - Comcast - Early Warning - Google - Microsoft - NordVPN - Trend Micro - Verizon - Zelle, CSN can continue to support individuals and small businesses through FightCybercrime.org, a resource database for those impacted by cybercrime and online fraud, and ScamSpotter.org, a website to help identify scams and stop fraudsters. For more information, please visit Cybercrimesupport.org.

MONETT, MO – Jack Henry & Associates, Inc. (NASDAQ: JKHY), a leading provider of technology solutions and payment processing services primarily for the financial services industry, announced today that it is partnering with Early Warning Services, LLC, the network operator behind Zelle®, to make faster payments more readily available for minority-owned depository institutions (MDIs). The companies are offering a rebate program through June 30, 2022 to MDIs nationwide, allowing them to seamlessly connect to Early Warning’s Zelle Network® using JHA PayCenter^TM, Jack Henry’s proprietary faster payments hub.

The FDIC defines MDIs as federally insured depository institutions for which 51% or more of the voting stock is owned by minority individuals; or a majority of the board of directors is minority and the community that the institution serves is predominantly minority. These institutions are encouraged to join 255 institutions currently contracted to leverage the Zelle Network® through Jack Henry to help consumers expedite payments. Currently available at over 1,000 financial institutions, Zelle® is a fast, safe and easy way for consumers to send and receive money quickly and easily with friends, families and others they trust who have a bank account in the U.S. Banks and credit unions offering Zelle® can reduce operating expenses by digitizing transactions, create more cross-selling and revenue opportunities, and attract and retain convenience-driven customers.

Lou Anne Alexander, chief product officer of Early Warning, said, “We are proud to partner with Jack Henry in offering minority-owned institutions access to faster payments. Through this partnership, we are making it easier for minority-owned banks and credit unions to provide their customers and members with modern tools to achieve financial goals and improve financial health. It’s another step towards a more inclusive and equitable payments landscape.”

Tede Forman, vice president of payment solutions at Jack Henry, added, “Minority-owned depository institutions are often focused on traditionally underserved or overlooked communities, those deserving and in need of faster access to their money. Working with Early Warning to help these communities gain access to faster payments can avert late fees and penalties, protect their credit, and provide the convenience that everyone deserves today. Faster payments can provide MDIs and the communities they serve with high-demand financial services that generate tangible, long-term benefits.”

Zelle Network® participants signed onto the network represent approximately 75% of the U.S. DDA market (585 million DDAs).

About Early Warning Services, LLC

Early Warning Services, LLC is a fintech company owned by seven of the country's largest banks. For almost three decades, our identity, authentication and payment solutions have been empowering financial institutions to make confident decisions, enable payments and mitigate fraud. Today, Early Warning is best known as the owner and operator of the Zelle Network®, a financial services network focused on transforming payment experiences. The combination of Early Warning's risk and payment solutions enable the financial services industry to move money fast, safe and easy, so people can live their best financial lives. To learn more about Early Warning, visit www.earlywarning.com.

About Jack Henry & Associates, Inc.

Jack Henry (NASDAQ: JKHY) is a leading SaaS provider primarily for the financial services industry. We are a S&P 500 company that serves approximately 8,500 clients nationwide through three divisions: Jack Henry Banking® provides innovative solutions to community and regional banks; Symitar® provides industry-leading solutions to credit unions of all sizes; and ProfitStars® offers highly specialized solutions to financial institutions of every asset size, as well as diverse corporate entities outside of the financial services industry. With a heritage that has been dedicated to openness, partnership, and user centricity for more than 40 years, we are well-positioned as a driving market force in cloud-based digital solutions and payment processing services. We empower our clients and consumers with the human-centered, tech-forward, and insights-driven solutions that will get them where they want to go. Are you future ready? Additional information is available at www.jackhenry.com.

Statements made in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking information. Actual results may differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking information. Specifically, there are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated by any forward-looking information. Additional information on these and other factors, which could affect the Company’s financial results, are included in its Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings on Form 10-K, and potential investors should review these statements. Finally, there may be other factors not mentioned above or included in the Company’s SEC filings that may cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking information.

Zelle and the Zelle related marks are property of Early Warning Services, LLC.

Who:

Nev Schulman, host and executive producer of MTV’s Catfish, and Zelle^®, a fast, safe and easy way to send money right from your banking app.

What:

Throughout National Consumer Protection Week (March 6-12, 2022), Schulman and Zelle^® will educate consumers by addressing trending scams and tips to avoid them.

During the week, a different scam and consumer tools/resources will be highlighted. This includes resources, tips and social PSA’s around the following topics:

• Learning how to spot scammers that pretend to be from your bank through phone and text scams
• How to spot a romance scam & be safe while dating
• All things puppy scams and safer alternatives to getting pets for your household
• Utility scams that are most prevalent and how to spot a scammer

As part of this effort, Zelle^® will host a virtual, open-access panel on Wednesday, March 9, titled, Technology & Dating: How to Safely Date in the Modern World. Alexis Castorina, Senior Director of Consumer Education at Zelle^® will moderate the panel of participants, including Schulman, Tracey Breeden, Head of Safety at Match Group, and Cindy Liebes, Chief Program Officer at Cybercrime Support Network.

Why:

A recent consumer behavior study conducted by Zelle^® found that 53% of people have been more confident and aware of scams since the beginning of the pandemic. That still leaves a large number of people that may not have the proper knowledge or tools to spot a scam.

Along with their ‘Pay it Safe’ program, Zelle^® has also participated in recent consumer education partnerships with the Detroit Pistons and Vox Media, and Schulman's social media PSA campaign. To continue scam education, Zelle^® is using National Consumer Protection Week to provide resources and tips to consumers on trending scams.

When and Where:

The virtual panel, Technology & Dating: How to Safely Date in the Modern World, will be held on Wednesday, March 9, from 4-5 pm ET. People interested in attending can RSVP for the open-access virtual event.

Nev Schulman will be available for virtual and on-site interviews regarding this campaign throughout February and March. Please get in touch with pressinquiries@zellepay.com to schedule a time.

Zelle and the Zelle related marks are property of Early Warning Services, LLC.

SCOTTSDALE, AZ – Early Warning Services, LLC, the network owner and operator of Zelle®, today responded to misleading reports of fraud and scams on the Zelle Network®.

Tens of millions of consumers safely use Zelle® every day with more than 99.9% of payments sent without any report of fraud or scams.

Any external analysis done is incomplete and does not reflect the efforts and data reported by more than 1,700 financial institutions on the Zelle Network®.

Wells Fargo is a leader in taking steps to protect its customers from fraud and scams. Based on data reported to the Zelle Network®, recent statements regarding Wells Fargo's fraud and scam rates are inaccurate. Wells Fargo's rates of reported fraud and scams are extraordinarily low and comparable to the Zelle Network® as a whole, where rates of reported fraud and scams represent less than 0.1% of all transactions.

About Zelle®

Brought to you by Early Warning Services, LLC, an innovator in payment and risk management solutions, Zelle® makes it fast, safe, and easy for money to move. The Zelle Network® connects financial institutions of all sizes, enabling consumers and businesses to send fast digital payments to people and businesses they know and trust with a bank account in the U.S. Funds are available directly in bank accounts generally within minutes when the recipient is already enrolled with Zelle®. To learn more about Zelle® and its participating financial institutions, visit www.zelle.com.

About Early Warning Services, LLC

Early Warning Services, LLC is a fintech company owned by seven of the country's largest banks. For almost three decades, our identity, authentication, and payment solutions have been empowering financial institutions to make confident decisions, enable payments and mitigate fraud. Today, Early Warning is best known as the owner and operator of the Zelle Network®, a financial services network focused on transforming payment experiences. The combination of Early Warning's risk and payment solutions enables the financial services industry to move money fast, safe, and easy, so that people can live their best financial lives. To learn more about Early Warning, visit www.earlywarning.com.

ARLINGTON, VA – The BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust (BBB Institute), the Better Business Bureau’s® educational foundation, is partnering with Zelle® to deliver a campaign focused on empowering people to spot the signs of payment scams. The campaign (BBB.org/Red-Flags) is live now and will run through the fall.

“We know from research that knowledge about scams and scammer tactics can be protective,” said BBB Institute Executive Director Melissa Lanning Trumpower. “Teaching people how to spot the signs of scams can help them avoid losing money and personal information. Our partnership with Zelle® will help us reach more consumers with important information about how to spot the signs of scams so they can protect themselves and their families.”

The campaign highlights some of the tactics commonly used by scammers and recommends that people “Slow down. Stay aware. Watch out for red flags.”

"Empowering consumers with the knowledge to use payment platforms safely is a top priority for us,” said Ben Chance, Chief Fraud Risk Management Officer at Early Warning Services, LLC, the network operator of Zelle®. “Consumers need access to fast and convenient payment solutions. That’s why we’re committed to working with partners like the Better Business Bureau to reach people with information on how they can protect themselves while getting the most out of payment technologies.”

The educational campaign uses data reported by consumers to BBB Scam Tracker^SM, an online prevention and reporting tool that enables people to report and search scam reports.

BBB Institute and Zelle® recommend the following tips:

• Stay calm. If you are being pressured to act quickly, resist the urge to make a snap decision no matter how dramatic the story is or how threatening or intimidating the caller sounds.
• Don’t reply directly. Don’t respond to unsolicited calls, texts, or emails. Instead, call the company’s customer service number listed on their official website directly to verify the message or the call you received is legitimate.
• Go to the source or get help. When in doubt, call your local BBB® to ask for a second opinion. If you made a purchase, always verify, and track it using the company’s app or website.
• Never give personal information (Social Security Number, account numbers/passwords, license number, etc.) over the phone, especially if the call is unexpected. Scammers may impersonate a customer service representative from a known company, even spoofing a call (falsifying the name/organization on your caller ID). If you’re unsure, end the call/chat and contact the company’s customer service phone number or website.
• Never pay over the phone, especially if the call is unsolicited. Never make a payment until you have verified all of the details with a third party or via the organization’s official call center or website.
• Never allow remote access to your computer if somebody offers tech support. Shut down your computer immediately and seek support from a trusted service provider.
• Search BBB Scam Tracker. If you’re suspicious about the situation, search BBB Scam Tracker to see if anyone else has reported a similar encounter. The new BBB Scam Tracker enables you to search by email, URL, phone number, and more.
• Check the email address or URL more closely. Scammers use similar website addresses or emails to appear legitimate, but if you look closely, you may find one letter or number that is off.
• Report any scam activity to BBB Scam Tracker. Reporting scams helps protect others. BBB publishes scam reports so others can avoid the scam that targeted you.

Media Contacts

Please contact Melanie McGovern at mmcgovern@iabbb.org for all BBB media inquiries. For Zelle® inquiries, contact pressinquiries@zellepay.com.

About BBB and BBB Institute: The Better Business Bureau has empowered people to find businesses, brands, and charities they can trust for more than 110 years. In 2022, people turned to BBB more than 250 million times for BBB Business Profiles on more than 5.3 million businesses and Charity Reports on about 12,000 charities, all available for free at BBB.org.

The BBB Institute for Marketplace Trust (BBB Institute) is the BBB’s educational foundation, whose mission is to educate and protect consumers, promote best practices for businesses, and solve complex marketplace problems. BBB Institute’s consumer educational programs are delivered both digitally and in-person by Better Business Bureaus serving communities across the U.S. 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 Early Warning Services, LLC

Early Warning Services, LLC, a financial services technology leader, has been empowering and protecting consumers, small businesses, and the U.S. financial system with cutting-edge fraud and payment solutions for more than three decades. We are also the company behind Zelle®, and the soon-to-launch Paze^SM, a wallet that reimagines e-commerce payments. Early Warning partners with more than 2,500 bank and credit union brands to increase access to financial services and products while protecting financial transactions. Learn more at www.earlywarning.com and connect on LinkedIn.

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®.