Zelle

A small business owner was defrauded by a marketing agency named Esclatech LLC after sending $3,200. They used misleading portfolios for a brand called Oppositiv to secure the payment, but subsequently missed deadlines and failed to provide promised refunds despite filed fraud cases with multiple agencies.

A person selling items on Facebook Marketplace received a suspicious inquiry from someone claiming his sister was interested. The potential buyer suggested non-cash payment methods like Zelle or Cash App, which raised suspicion since the seller only accepts cash. Concerns were noted about slow response times and observing that many followers on the brother's profile appeared to be bots.

A person is searching for a short-term sublet in New York City, specifically during mid-August through mid-September. They found an apartment listing on Craigslist in Little Italy that required rent plus a refundable security deposit via wire transfer or Zelle. Because the process seemed too simple, along with the low rent and payment demands, the user is suspicious of the listing's legitimacy while located in North Carolina.

A person found a room for rent in New Rochelle on Craigslist for $750/month, lower than local averages. The landlord requested a Zelle deposit, but the renter insisted on a check and lease. After the check cleared, the landlord emailed a lease requiring a $35 Zelle application fee, exceeding New York State's $20 maximum, raising scam concerns.

A dog walker with a 2-year history of reliable service suddenly asked the client to help transfer $400 via Venmo and Zelle, which the client did. The walker has since stopped responding to texts about dog walking, raising concerns about a potential scam.

Eden Prairie police are warning renters about fake online rental listings for homes that are actually for sale. Scammers use platforms like Craigslist and TikTok, along with QR codes for self-guided tours, to collect deposits via Zelle or Venmo, exploiting low rental prices as a lure.

A user received an unexpected $600 Zelle payment from 'Flores's Painting and Drywall' despite confirming the business exists in California. The user's daughter previously received scam Zelle payments totaling $300, and both instances involved no follow-up or resolution from the bank. Chase informed the daughter they could not assist with recovering the funds.

A 16-year-old from Troy fell for a job scam disguised as a school email, leading to his Bank of America account being closed. The scam involved fake checks that bounced, and a report highlighted a 60% increase in online scam losses in Michigan in 2025.

The article highlights three tactics to deter scammers when rehoming animals online: requiring cash payments, insisting on meet-and-greets, and asking detailed questions. The author shares these strategies to avoid scams and emphasizes that legitimate buyers typically accommodate these precautions.

A user reported a suspicious Zelle pending transaction and subsequent scam attempt where a caller impersonated a bank fraud department representative. The scammer provided fake cancellation numbers and pressured the user to log into their account, which the user recognized as a scam after suspicion and verification attempts.

A Reddit user reported falling victim to a scam on Mercari after communicating outside the app and sending $72 via Zelle. The scammer used fake FedEx videos and package images, later threatening the user with their phone number and address. The user expressed anxiety about potential retaliation but sought reassurance they would not be harmed.

A user received $120 via Zelle from a prior marketplace transaction contact, who claimed the payment was accidental and requested it be returned to the same account. The user is uncertain whether to comply or let the bank handle the situation due to concerns about potential scams.

A person received $450 via Zelle from an unknown sender who claimed it was a mistaken transfer intended for their worker. The sender insists it is not a scam and offers to meet at a police station to resolve the issue, while the recipient remains skeptical.

Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) launched an invite-only financial service called X Money, offering a 6% yield on deposits, 3% cashback on purchases, and real-time money transfers via a Visa debit card. The service uses Cross River Bank's infrastructure and requires a $1,000 deposit and X's premium subscription to access the full yield.

Elon Musk's X launched X Money, an invite-only financial service offering a Visa debit card, 6% yield on deposits, and real-time money transfers. The service uses Cross River Bank's infrastructure and is available to X's paying members, requiring a $1,000 deposit and $8 monthly premium to access the 6% yield.

Elon Musk's X (formerly Twitter) launched an invite-only financial service called X Money, offering real-time money transfers, a 6% yield on deposits, and a Visa debit card. The service uses Cross River Bank's infrastructure and is available to X's paying members, requiring a $1,000 deposit to earn the 6% yield. X aims to compete with peer-to-peer services like PayPal's Venmo, Zelle, and Cash App.

A user purchased an item on Mercari, but the package was returned due to postal issues. The vendor communicated via Instagram (against Mercari's TOS) and later offered a refund through Cashapp or Zelle, raising concerns about potential scams. The user also received a suspicious Instagram message from an unknown account, prompting fears of being targeted on a 'suckers list.'

A user attempted to purchase a used riding mower from a Craigslist listing in Dallas, TX, but was scammed via Zelle. The seller provided a fake address and disappeared, and the user later discovered multiple identical listings linked to a scammer with a West African accent.

Current and former students of 10 elite schools are receiving payments from a $284 million financial aid settlement following a lawsuit alleging price-fixing in favor of wealthy students. Payments average $2,000 and were first distributed on July 20 via digital methods and checks.

A user was scammed for $1,415 by @marvelousretrogames on Instagram after attempting to purchase discounted Pokémon boxes. Despite PayPal and Zelle blocking the transactions, the scammer convinced the user to send money via Apple Cash before disappearing.

A house listed on HotPads and Zillow is raising concerns due to a Zelle application fee directed to the landlord's wife's account, despite the landlord stating they use Chime and a separate platform for applications. The landlord claims the property was recently purchased.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is intensifying efforts to combat immigration scams targeting individuals in immigration proceedings, following a ProPublica report showing fraud complaints doubled under President Donald Trump's second administration. Scammers use social media and fake legal processes to steal millions, leading to deportations and prompting DHS to seek digital traces like URLs and WhatsApp numbers to track perpetrators.

A user reported a potential scam on Facebook Marketplace after a buyer claimed to send $400 via Zelle or CashApp, but the payment remained pending due to a business account issue. The buyer later demanded a refund before the payment was received, prompting the seller to question if it was a scam. The seller decided to block the buyer and switch to cash-only transactions.

A user received five Zelle deposits totaling $76 from the same sender over two weeks, with no follow-up scam attempts. All transactions were confirmed as legitimate by the bank via text and email notifications, but the user remains uncertain about the sender's intent.

A user is selling a couch on Facebook Marketplace and suspects a scam after a buyer with a recently created private account requested upfront payment via Zelle or Venmo. The buyer mentioned their oldest daughter would pick up the item, raising further concerns. The user seeks confirmation due to common scam reports.

A 22-year-old college student fell victim to a scam while selling an item on Facebook Marketplace. The scammer used fake Zelle and PayPal payment claims, requested money for account upgrades, and sent fraudulent mobile checks, leading the victim to send over $1,600 via Cash App, Bitcoin, and bank transfers before realizing the fraud.

A college acquaintance with 100 mutual connections offered $500 to use a selfie in an art piece, claiming it would be sold for $2000. The user is cautious about accepting payment via Zelle and suspects a scam, later confirmed by others. The artist sent samples of their work but the user ultimately distrusts the arrangement.

A scam alert warns about a boat parts company on Facebook named 'Marineparts | River Road WA' that requested payments via Zelle or Chime without offering buyer protection. The company claimed to sell parts for a 2006 boat at a discounted price but refused PayPal G&S and provided suspicious payment details linked to a distant individual. The poster advises against using Zelle or Chime for online payments due to lack of refund protection.

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.