Some merchants have recently been targeted by a scam involving fake ACH deposits and urgent refund requests. While no one lost money this time, itâs important to know how this works so you can protect your business.
How the Scam Works
Fraudulent Deposit â A scammer âaccidentallyâ sends a large payment to your account (often using a stolen bank account) through a public Make a Payment link.
Urgent Request â They contact you, claiming it was a mistake and ask you to âreturnâ the fundsâoften via wire transfer, payment apps, gift cards, or a different account.
Reversal â The original ACH deposit is later reversed when the bank discovers it was fraudulent.
You Lose Money â If youâve already sent the money back, youâll be left with a negative balance, and the scammer keeps the stolen funds.
What to Do If This Happens
â Know Your Clients â If you donât recognize the transaction, try to void it the same day.
đŤ Never Refund or Return Funds without verifying the sender and payment details.
đ° Donât Spend the Money â If itâs reversed, youâll be responsible for the amount.
đ Contact BizPayO and Zift Immediately â Provide all details so we can investigate.
đ Monitor Your Account â Watch for reversals or suspicious activity.
If you have any questions or suspect suspicious activity, contact us right away.
Staying alert is the best defense.