Contacted on Facebook regarding my Facebook marketplace listing by 2 scammers with the exact same script using Zelle. Zelle was not helpful.
Scam/Fraud Info:
I have a lot of information, so I hope there's room for all of it. I will simply paste my evidence here.
Email to Zelle customer service on 5/27/23:
*Hello,
I wanted to notify you regarding a scam I experienced recently regarding Zelle. I had difficulty submitting the Report a Scam form on your website as well reaching a representative at your customer service number.
I put a printer up for sale on Facebook marketplace on the evening of 5/26/23. About an hour later, I was contacted by user Calli Andes expressing interest in the printer and asking if I had Zelle or Venmo. I did not, but I signed up for Zelle through my bank app using my email address as the user name. The potential buyer said that she wanted to send the money right away so that I could mark the item as sold. I gave my email to her. She then told me that she had sent the money and that I had received an email. I found an email from Zelle in my spam folder stating that there
was an issue with the money transfer and that I needed to send $400 (forwarded below). I explained to the potential buyer that I had received a spam email. She responded: "I got an email too that your account isn’t a business and i had sent the payment as “business” in the note to of payment from my account and I will have to send an addition of $400, so can i trust you that once i send the additional $400
you’ll refund it back?" I told her that this was too much
trouble for a printer, and reported and blocked her on Facebook. When I checked her profile again afterwards, it had been deleted.
This incident was reported to the FBI per the instructions on the Zelle site (IC3 Complaint Referral Form).
A few hours later, Facebook user Ethan Abigail contacted me about the printer and used essentially the same script as Calli Andes. This time, I adjusted my dialogue in order to glean information about this scam operation. I was surprised that he continued messaging with me and calling me despite my expressing doubts about the legitimacy of what he was doing. I pointed out issues such as having just interacted with a different Facebook account using the exact same script and his not having any questions about the product for sale. I got him to give me the account information to which he wanted me to send the $400 ( kirkwoodcharles2@gmail.com
Charles Kirkwood). He told me that Charles Kirkwood is a Zelle agent, despite my pointing out that Zelle employees use the @zellepay domain. I looked the email address up on Zelle through my banking app and saw that it was linked to an account. I am assuming that you are able to look up the bank account associated with "Charles Kirkwood" and forward this information to the authorities. In addition, I reported and blocked Ethan Abigail on Facebook.
I am confident that you will address this matter in a manner that aligns with your best practices because you are a reputable company and hold customer security in the highest regard.*
Original email from scammers with headings:
*Message ID <CAO+HSFExsUZhbp+9b0fUiu_S8_xJZNEqFswoECOi5yuy+AeBAw@mail.gmail.com>
Created at: Fri, May 26, 2023 at 11:58 PM (Delivered after 14 seconds)
From: "zelle® ." <zelle@zellesafe.com>
To: (redacted)
Subject: PAYMENT ON HOLD 🔐🔐
SPF: PASS with IP 209.85.220.41 Learn more
DKIM: 'PASS' with domain zellesafe.com Learn more
Dear customer,
Unfortunately, we encountered a little problem while crediting your account with $100.00 USD today because this amount seems to be above your balance limit.
Why do I need to expand my account?
We place initial limits on all accounts to increase the security precaution and help prevent any fraudulent activities. Take these urgent step below to expand your limits and receive unlimited money.
How do I expand my account - Action needed.
Contact the buyer (Calli Andes) to send an additional payment of $400.00 USD for your account to be fully expanded. Soon as this is done we will credit the total sum of $500.00 USD with a free compensation fee of $100.00 USD for the inconvenience caused.
NOTE: An alert has been sent to the buyer in regards to the $400.00 USD additional payment he has to send you, we will secure this transaction with high priority whereby the buyer nor the seller will lose a dim*
Zelle only provided me with generic responses, in which they referred me back to their customer service number (844-428-8542). I have called that number numerous times, and no matter which option I selected, it would only play pre-recorded messages. Dialing zero leads to a repeat of the menu, and dialing zero three times leads to the call ending.
I have also reported this incident to the FTC.
I would like people to be aware of Zelle scams and the difficulty with reporting the scam to Zelle. I can provide screenshots of my Facebook messenger conversations with the scammers if needed. I found that I can only upload one file here, and there are lots of screenshots. Thank you!
Reports are submitted by people globally. If there is enough evidence, it's likely a scam. Celebrity impersonators are always considered scammers, often stealing money and resorting to blackmail if you've shared sensitive photos.
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