Lifestyle Two Scam Warnings, Including a New Payment Scam 9/26/2022 | By Amy Dickinson An “Ask Amy” reader shares her tale of almost being scammed, and a national bank warns customers about a trending payment scam. Nearly scammed! Dear Amy: I receive many phone calls from people claiming to be from Publishers Clearing House telling me that I have won millions of dollars. I hang up, but then the other day I received a letter telling me I had won $250 million! Many instructions and phone numbers were included. I wondered where I could verify this without calling any of the phone numbers. Then I read your column, where there was a letter from a man wondering whether he was involved in a scam. You advised him that he was and gave him ways to check. I called AARP’s Fraud hotline (877) 908-3360 (also AARP.org). They were wonderful! A real person answered. I explained my concern and she transferred me to the proper department where I spoke to another real person. She explained that PCH NEVER calls or writes before appearing at a person’s door to announce the win. Thank you for publishing this information! Relieved in Hagerstown, MD Dear Relieved: Thank you to the AARP, for providing this invaluable service. Related: How to stay safe from scams and shysters Trending payment scam Bank of America recently contacted customers warning them about a trending payment scam involving mobile payment applications, specifically Zelle. Here are the details of the “pay yourself” scam You receive a text message that looks like a fraud alert from your bank about unusual activity. The text may look something like “Did you make a purchase of $100.00 at ABC merchant?”If you respond to the text, you have now engaged the scammer and will receive a call from a number that appears to be from a bank.They’ll appear to be a representative from a bank and will offer to help stop the alleged fraud by asking you to send money to yourself with Zelle®.The scammer will ask you for a one-time code you just received from a bank.If you give them the code, they will use it to enroll their bank account with Zelle® using your email or phone number.The scammer now has the ability to receive your money into their account. What you can do to help stay protected Don’t trust caller ID — it’s not always who it says it is.Don’t share codes based on a call you receive.Don’t be pressured to act immediately. Read More Amy Dickinson