Winners Announced in Spotlight! Payments Video Challenge from Nacha’s Payments Innovation Alliance

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May we have the envelope, please! The winners of the second annual Spotlight! Payments Video Challenge, sponsored by Nacha’s Payments Innovation Alliance, are in.

The contest invited videos of up to one minute, focusing on the theme “Take a Stand Against Scammers.” The short video contest provides an opportunity to broaden the ecosystem messaging and reach consumers more quickly through educational pieces that are developed by a wide range of contributors that can be amplified through social media. All of the videos contain original content.

“The public at large cannot be educated enough about the emerging threats of cybersecurity, financial frauds and scams. Everyone has a role in mitigating payment-related financial scams,” said Jennifer West, AAP, AFPP, APRP, Nacha Senior Director, Payments Innovation Alliance, Education and Accreditation.

The 2025 Grand Prize of $5,000 goes to Marcius Parks for “It’s a Scam,” a music video featuring the refrain, “Don’t be brainless, protect your payments.” Parks also won the Sponsor's Choice Award, selected by members of the Payments Innovation Alliance, earning an additional $1,500.

Jessie Soliday takes Second Place, and a $2,500 prize, for the video “Spot the Signs,” in which a grandmother tells of being called by a scammer who—unsuccessfully—tried to convince her that her grandson was in an accident and needed money.

Third Place goes to Katherine Mitchell, who wins a $1,000 prize for the music video “Puppy Love,” starring a hound who falls for a female dog he meets online, which turns out to be a wolf.

“These videos use humor and heartwarming images to highlight a problem that’s all too serious and all too prevalent: scams being perpetrated on unsuspecting Americans,” said West.

According to the Global Anti-Scam Alliance’s (GASA) 2025 reporting, $64.8 billion was stolen from Americans in just one year. The average loss per victim was $1,087 with the average American encountering scam attempts 377 times a year. Globally, GASA estimates $442 billion was lost to scammers in the last 12 months.

“The Alliance is working diligently to raise awareness of the numerous types of scams taking place across the nation,” said West. “This video contest is just one method we’re using.”

The Alliance Program Committee selected eight finalists. An industry judging panel and votes from the public then determined the first, second, and third prize winners.

The 2025 Spotlight! Payments Video Challenge was presented by FICO, a Gold Presenter, and Silver Presenters the Center for Payments, Chase, and Independent Community Bankers of America.

All of the winning videos are available to watch here.

Nacha’s Payments Innovation Alliance is a membership program that brings together diverse, global stakeholders to grow and advance future payment trends, collaborate, and provide solutions.

Learn more about Nacha’s Payments Innovation Alliance on their website.

About Nacha

Nacha governs the thriving ACH Network, the payment system that drives safe, smart, and fast Direct Deposits and Direct Payments with the capability to reach all U.S. bank and credit union accounts. There were 33.6 billion ACH Network payments made in 2024, valued at $86.2 trillion. Through problem-solving and consensus-building among diverse payment industry stakeholders, Nacha advances innovation and interoperability in the payments system. Nacha develops rules and standards, provides industry solutions, and delivers education, accreditation, and advisory services.