Zelle

A 95-year-old father-in-law received a $9,000 tax refund check, attempted to cash it at his old bank but the account was closed, later cashed it successfully at a new bank, and is now secretive about the situation. The family is concerned about potential scams and the check's validity.

A person was hired for a remote job at NJ Horizon Health with BCBS after a chat interview, received a $2490 check, and was asked to send $1000 via Zelle to a vendor. The company later requested the remaining amount via CashApp, causing confusion and concern. The bank confirmed the check cleared, and the individual provided their SSN via a W-4 form.

An elderly mother fell for a potential Facebook scam after commenting on a hair product page, providing personal information, and being billed $200 for four items. The company sent the items before payment and requested payment via check, Zelle, or Moneygram, despite the product being available cheaper on Amazon. Red flags include fake reviews, mismatched locations, and fake FDA certifications.

A user received a scam call from a number appearing to be US Bank, where a fraud alert was falsely claimed regarding a Zelle payment to Stephen Williamson in Delaware. The scammer attempted to transfer the user to a fake Zelle fraud rep, requested account details, and instructed a $850 payment to 'Mabel Mandoza' via a 646-number extension. The user terminated the call and later confirmed with US Bank that the incident was fraudulent.

A parent attempted to sell a baby stroller on Facebook Marketplace but fell victim to a scam. The scammer used a fake Zelle payment hold message to trick the seller into providing banking information and a customer support number.

A user on r/photomarket was scammed via Zelle after paying a seller who later blocked them. The user reported the scam to the FTC and their Chase Bank but received no assistance in recovering the funds. The scammer's Zelle information includes their name and phone number.

A scam text mimicking a child's emergency plea ('Hi mom') uses believable scenarios like dropping a phone in a sink to trick parents into texting a new number. Scammers avoid obvious demands for money initially but may later request funds or sensitive information through platforms like Zelle or Venmo.

A U.S. Bank customer fell victim to a Zelle scam after receiving a spoof call claiming unauthorized transactions. The scammer, posing as a bank representative, convinced them to send $2,000 via Zelle to resolve a fabricated 'glitch' in their account. The victim later recovered their funds and shared their story to raise awareness.

A Whatnot user received a scam message claiming they won a sneaker giveaway, prompting them to provide personal and payment information. The scammer offered expedited shipping options and insisted on payment via Chime or Zelle before the user blocked the number and confirmed it was a known scam. The user later discovered the scammer's number was linked to Kentucky and a Bulgarian individual on Facebook.

A job seeker applied to a position via LinkedIn and had an interview with the poster, who offered equipment for remote work. The employer requires an NDA, pays via Zelle without tax withholding, and asks for the SSN to be provided to an accountant later. The seeker is concerned about potential red flags despite the job offering higher pay.

A woman selling items on Facebook raised suspicions when a buyer named Hazard, claiming to represent an elderly sister, requested electronic payment via Zelle and insisted on a son picking up the speakers. The buyer avoided disclosing their location and falsely claimed to be in the same city as the seller, prompting the seller to lie about not having digital payment apps.

A user reported a Zelle refund scam on Nextdoor where a scammer attempted to obtain their Zelle information by posing as a buyer for a book. The scammer sent a fake email claiming a payment hold required an additional $500 to resolve, which the user recognized as fraudulent.

Two verified scam groups on Facebook, 'Spot Price Kings' and another trading group, are using stolen Zelle, Venmo, and bank accounts to defraud people. The scam involves fake coin images and 'reviews' to appear legitimate, with IP traces linked to MTN Nigeria, similar to Nigerian scam tactics. The article warns against sending money without full confirmation.

A wife received a $3,500 offer via TikTok from a random person. The sender requested payment details through Zelle, prompting the couple to question potential scams despite not finding clear risks associated with sharing their name and phone number.

A person received a letter from a law firm claiming they owe $73,000 to an LLC that acquired receivables from a plumbing company. The individual paid $650 via Zelle for a minor plumbing job eight months ago but lacks invoices or contracts. The law firm threatens legal action and prohibits direct contact with the plumbing company.

A new AP-NORC survey reveals that most Americans receive daily scam attempts, with 30% reporting personal financial losses or data breaches. Few victims report scams due to skepticism about recovery, and older adults are more frequently targeted. Separate Gallup data shows 10% of U.S. adults lost money to scams in the past year.

Zelle is offering training to prevent fraud following a surge in scams. Fraudsters are using phone calls and text messages to impersonate banks and trick individuals into stopping scams.

A banker named Karl Stephen Richardson faces 10 criminal charges, including financial exploitation and theft, after allegedly stealing approximately $70,000 each from two elderly women through fraudulent bank transactions. Police investigation revealed Richardson used methods like ATM withdrawals, Zelle transfers, and in-person transactions while working at Bank of America and later Simmons Bank.

A 37-year-old healthcare professional lost $12,000 to a law enforcement impersonation scam involving threats of arrest warrants and professional license revocation. The scammer used fear and isolation tactics, directing the victim to a Bitcoin ATM and Zelle for payments. The victim later filed reports with local police, FBI, FTC, and froze their credit.

A Phoenix woman lost $1,300 to scammers who used AI-generated photos to impersonate a police officer and claim they found her missing dog. Authorities warn that AI is enabling more convincing lost pet scams, while non-profits use the technology to help locate missing animals.

A Phoenix woman lost $1,300 to scammers who used AI-generated photos to impersonate a police officer and claim they found her missing dog. Authorities warn that AI is making lost pet scams more convincing, and advise against sending money via Zelle or Venmo. Non-profits like Petco Love use AI to help locate missing pets.

A Nashville man is living in his car after falling victim to a rental scam where a fraudster collected payments via Zelle and Cash App and vanished. Metro Police report nearly 200 similar cases this year, with scammers using fake listings and leases to exploit renters in the competitive housing market.

Metro Nashville Police report that around 200 people have been scammed through fake housing listings on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist. Scammers use real property photos and descriptions, alter contact details, and collect payments via Zelle or CashApp, leading to financial losses and confusion when victims are confronted by actual property owners.

Zelle, operated by Early Warning Services, will expand its peer-to-peer payment service to India this year, marking its first international market. The company also announced the creation of ZelleUSD, a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, to support future international growth. Zelle processed over $1.2 trillion in transactions in 2025 but faces ongoing legal challenges related to fraud and unauthorized transfers.

An immigration lawyer in South Florida, Ángel Leal, is being impersonated via AI-generated videos on social media to scam immigrants into paying for fake legal services. Criminals use manipulated content to lure victims into transferring money through platforms like WhatsApp, Zelle, and Venmo, leading to financial losses and deportation risks. Leal has partnered with a digital piracy company to remove 6,454 fake profiles and advises verifying legal services directly with his office.

Five Eyes intelligence agencies warn China is using LinkedIn, Indeed, and Upwork to recruit individuals with access to classified information, targeting security clearance holders in defense, security, and foreign affairs. Chinese operatives pose as private sector employees to solicit sensitive data through job advertisements, encrypted messaging, and financial incentives.

Jasmir Urbina, an asylum-seeker from Nicaragua, was scammed by a fraudster posing as a lawyer from Catholic Charities, leading to her deportation after paying $10,000 in fees. The scam occurred amid heightened fear of Trump's mass deportation efforts, with victims targeted by fake immigration services.