Zelle & Venmo only ads

[Grendel]

After consideration, the Forum owners have decided that: As of Sept 20, 2021, we will no longer permit Zelle, Venmo or any other cash transfer app to be used for payment in Classified Ads on this Forum.

Reason 1: They offer no protection to buyers. See Zelle's own terms here: https://www.zellepay.com/pay-it-safe

Reason 2: They are used extensively by bad actors on the 'net to separate good (but gullible) people from their money

Reason 3: See Reason 1 above.

If you have any ad that currently offers this option, you will need to edit it to offer an alternative method of payment or it will be deleted. All new ads that offer either method as an option will be deleted on sight.

This is not to say that existing members in good standing are considered to be in anyway 'sketchy', rather it is that the method of payment itself is in no way secure and is not intended to be used for payments to 'strangers', even your best internet 'friends.

Permitted forms of payment are limited to cash, check, US Postal Service money orders, or Paypal (Use PP at your own risk, they are no friends to supporters of the 2nd Amendment).

This will be strictly enforced by Moderators and Admins. .

[Wobbly]

Additional Consumer Alert !

Some banks are adding Zelle to their slate of "free customer account features" without consumer knowledge or permission. This may have been added to your account in one of those "We have have updated our rules and regulations" type of email announcements.

Then, money shows up missing from your account... but the bank says they are not responsible because you agreed to the Zelle rules and regulations !! You proabably need to contact your bank and make sure Zelle is not part of your standard banking features.

This is NOT a small or localized issue !


Read...
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/consumer-alert-major-us-banks-using-the-zelle-payment-system-under-investigation-for-refusing-to-cover-fraud-claims-301580791.html

https://www.consumeraffairs.com/news/the-zelle-scam-is-spreading-quickly-across-the-us-030722.html

https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/customers-scammed-zelle-banking-app-have-virtually-no-fraud-protection-consumer-advocates-say/KKSK5LIOWVD47PF2UPTR4IMXSA/

[Thetonk]

Venmo now offers consumer protection

[Wobbly]

Zelle is being sued by the US Federal Government Consumer Financial Protection Bureau  stating that Zelle, by not having any consumer protection, knowingly allows scammers to operate.

https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/newsroom/cfpb-sues-jpmorgan-chase-bank-of-america-and-wells-fargo-for-allowing-fraud-to-fester-on-zelle/

According to the CFPB, consumers have lost over $870 Million via Zelle since it began in 2017.