Zelle Facebook Marketplace Scam: How To Spot This Scam

Like the Chronopost Facebook Scam and DSV letter carrier Facebook scam we reported earlier, the Zelle scam on Facebook marketplace is another fraud targeting unsuspecting sellers on Facebook market place.

Scammers are chatting sellers up on Facebook marketplace, pretending to be interested in a item and offering to pay through Zelle. This detailed article exposes how this scam works, and how to spot a fake Zelle Payment.

Overview of Zelle Facebook Marketplace Scam

The Zelle Facebook Marketplace Scam works this way – scammer pretends to be a buyer interested in what you listed on Facebook marketplace. Then he tells you he can only pay through Zelle. If you accept, he requests for your email address.

This is where the scam comes in.

The scammer sends a fake payment email that appears to be from Zelle. However, the fake email claims the buyer paid using a Zelle business account and you – the seller – must also upgrade to a Zelle business account before you receive the payment. The upgrade fee is often pegged between $200 – $300.

The scammer then convinces the seller that he received the same email from Zelle, and, to make things easy, he sends another fake email that covers the purchase fee and upgrade fee. Then asks to be reimbursed by the seller for the upgrade fee.

This is all a scam. When you check your Zelle account you wouldn’t see the money there.

How To Spot a Fake Zelle Payment Email

Suspicious Email Address

Always double-check the email address.The official Zelle email address ends in @Zelle.com or @Zellepay.com. To find out the email address open/expand the “To” and “From” email address fields.

Spelling Errors

One thing that is common with phishing emails are spelling errors. This is because the scammers were in a haste to create and send the email. Always look for spelling and grammatical errors, as it is huge indicator that the email is fake.

Contains an Urgent Call of Action

Scammers know that most of us procrastinate. We receive an email giving us important news, and we decide we’ll deal with it later. In this scenario, the longer you look at the email, the more likely you will notice things that don’t seem right. So they create a sense of urgency, send now.

How To Avoid Being a Victim of Zelle Facebook Marketplace Scam

1. Always check the profile of the buyer
2. Take your time to assess any contact you receive and do not make hasty decisions.
3. Check the email received if it is an official Zelle email address that ends in @zelle.com or @zellepay.com.

What To Do If You’re a Victim of The Zelle Facebook Marketplace Scam

Contact Your Bank and Report Loss of Funds

The first thing you should do is contact your bank to inform them about the fraudulent purchase. Through the chargeback system, you can get your money back from the transaction if you file a dispute claim. You could also request for a credit card freeze. That way, your bank would block any future transactions on your credit card, ensuring that scammers are unable to exploit it.

Update Your Passwords and Enable Two Factor Authentication

The second step you should take is updating your passwords. This should be done if you’ve used the same password you used on this Issuedos.com on other websites or applications. You should also go an extra step of enabling two-factor authentication. This would keep you protected from data breech.

Meanwhile, you should beware of any fraudulent email Do not click on any suspicious link in the email, as it could be a phishing scam. Clicking on the link might install malware on your phone which could compromise your device’s security.

Report the Scam

Report the scam to relevant authorities and organizations. This includes:

• Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3): If you are in the United States, you can file a complaint with the IC3 at https://www.ic3.gov/.
• Your Local Consumer Protection Agency: Contact your local consumer protection agency or the equivalent regulatory body in your country.
• Better Business Bureau (BBB): File a complaint with the BBB if the online store is based in the United States.

Conclusion

The Zelle Facebook Marketplace scam uses a fake email of Zelle business account upgrade to trick sellers into paying an upgrade fee to the scammer disguised as a buyer.