For small businesses
Accept payments with clear checks
Verify receipt in your own account and know the rules for the account you use.
Confirm inside your account
Open your bank or payment app independently. Match the payer, amount, and reference before releasing goods. Ask support about anything suspicious; an incoming entry does not prove the payer is legitimate.
Know your account agreement
Regulation E’s consumer-account definition focuses on personal, family, or household purposes. Business accounts generally have different protections. Ask your institution about reporting deadlines, liability, limits, and approval controls.
Use the right product
Ask each provider whether the account is suitable for your business activity. Keep written terms, receipts, and refund procedures, and train staff to question payment-release or upgrade demands.
Sources & further reading
- CFPB · Regulation E, definition of account Regulatory text
- Zelle · Fake payment and account-upgrade scams Provider guidance
- Venmo · Common scams Provider guidance
Reviewed October 27, 2026. Provider terms and support routes can change.