Looking for Zelle Experts....and I mean experts

[rplace]

Hey all,

I'll cut to the chase not BS. I'm looking for somebody that knows more than I do. I think I am dealing with a poor dumb b@st@rd, but if not he is the sharpest scammer ever. Working out a deal, and the guy is supposed to send me a PayPal friends and family payment. We have a reasonable comfort level and I'm on the receiving end so all good I figure. He sends me a $1 PPal payment and I think all is good. He is just being safe and making sure my info is correct. I say send the rest and I'll ship in the morning. I go to bed last night.

 

I get up, no paypal payment. I send him a WTF, message saying don't jerk me around. He says he will send ASAP, got busy last night, etc. I end up getting a Zelle payment in full....but I never gave him my Zelle info. I say what's is up, he says he was having problems with PayPal.

 

If you know anything about Zelle once it is gone its from you account is gone. You should only pay people you know well and trust like @Thaddeus Smith or @richieb, right guys?

 

I look up a bunch of info online about Zelle specifically (not PayPal or Venmo that offer protection) and I call my bank. They more or less tell me the money is mine. Zelle customer support is non-existent. Still I'm skeptical.

 

I don't see a way to "return", refuse, cancel a Zelle payment.  Bank also tells me no way to cancel it back to the sender....like PayPal does. If I were to send him a payment back it would literally be like my putting cash on the table and walking away. I don't think that is an option. 

 

I truly think they guy is just a bit confused and dull (older gentleman based on what I have gathered) and I don't want to not send the item if this is all just a silly mistake on his part. But I did ask for PayPal and he agreed and he did the $1 right the first day. My spidey senses are up and I'm not feeling the love.

 

Over zealous on my part or one hell of a long play for the scammer?

[hanksjim1]

Not a Zelle expert, but something doesn't smell right on this one.  Particularly if it is a high dollar item.  The $1 dollar paypal payment is also in a word; weird. 

 

I'd ask him to reverse the Zelle payment and send PayPal as agreed.  If he bails, tell him you'll send back the buck.

 

 

[veloceleste]

I’m not familiar with zelle at all but I say always trust your gut. If something seems off, it probably is. Be safe with your money, especially if you didn’t give the buyer your zelle information. 

[Dave1291]

K, I set my checking account up w/Zelle at my bank to pay a woman I KNEW to ship something to my daughter in Phoenix.  She had a Zelle account and sent me her info.  She also had Paypal, etc she used in her home business.  She got the payment and it came out of my checking account with no problem.  Zelle was attached to my acct and eventually cancelled cause I didn't use it I guess.  I got a notice from my bank saying it was taken off.  I checked and it is gone.

 

Now the deal on HOW he got your Zelle information is ANOTHER thing.  THAT would totally flip me out.  If the money shows in your bank then it's a good thing BUT can he get it back anyway since you accepted his paypal 1$?  THAT would be a good question for someone at your bank who knows.  I know my bank offers it as a service and it worked for me.  I'd think your bank understands the platform cause they use it for deposits and prolly payments from accounts.  I'd call the geeks at your bank and be sure to get their name, rank and serial number.

 

The Paypal 1$ would totally freak me out too.  

 

I will tell you this much.  My youngest is TOTALLY geeked out and runs a huge business of her own along with two other big businesses.  She's seen it ALL brother. 

 

Early on I bought a few things off guys in here using a PayPal acct I'd set up just to use for that.  PayPal kept wanting more of my banking info and I was reluctant to give it to them.  I'm  old, MY money, i have a bank so nope. I was GONE! 

 

Told her what they wanted to do and she said no way!  She said, "Dad PayPal is NOT a bank!  It's a business that deals in banking to make money.  They can hit your credit report any time someone complains and they do!"   She has nothing to do with PayPal  and never will.

 

I get it though, but Paypal is NOT a bank.  No FSLIC just a business.  Dunno.

 

I'd be wondering too but it's all a question for someone at your bank to make sure your money is yours and staying there.  Could move it into another account but then who knows what accounts PayPal could attach to get the money back.

 

Certified bank draft, check whatever.  They want it they'll do it.  If not, write it off.

 

Agreee with ^^^^^ stick w/the gut if ya can't get the answers ya need.  Crazy world today! 

 

 

[rplace]

9 minutes ago, veloceleste said:

I’m not familiar with zelle at all but 

 

29 minutes ago, hanksjim1 said:

Not a Zelle expert, but

 

Yet you felt compelled to offer $0.02 anyway. Love it, this is just like the old Klipsch Forums circa 2006. Thanks for taking the time.

 

5 minutes ago, Dave1291 said:

Certified bank draft, check whatever. They want it they'll do it.

 

Didn't one of the Ts in ATT stand for telegraph? Is anyone here younger than I am....I'm almost 60.

 

Yes, I'm being a jerk. Seriously, thanks for trying. I was pretty sure I'd get several posts like this. Its a rather unique set of circumstances and not a wealthy prince that needs my help.

[pcbiz]

Anyone can find you on Zelle. All they need is your phone number or email. The banking system and Zelle know where and who you are.

 

To return a Zelle payment, just send a new Zelle payment to your sender.

[rplace]

25 minutes ago, pcbiz said:

To return a Zelle payment, just send a new Zelle payment to your sender.

 

That would be the worst possible things I could do. Because Zelle payments are like leaving cash on a table and walking away.

 

If by chance this is a sophisticated scam and not an honest mistake on the buyers end, I'd be sending the perpetrator my money with zero recourse. As I said in the OP we have a "reasonable" comfort level. But from my perspective there is no way I'd send him money via Zelle. I'd use Zelle for paying the kid that cut my lawn after he did it because you can't un-cut my lawn. I'd never use it to pay for stuff sold online to a guy I never met. Split a check with a person you had dinner with - yes. Pay for a car before it was in my driveway and title signed over, no way!

[Schu]

if the money is in your account, you are good.

if the seller is fraudulently using someone else's account to send you payment, you might be liable in that they may claw back fraudulently sent funds and you'll have sent the item.

you could ask for a grace period of 7-10 days... that is no guarantee, but it does provide a window to hear back any bad news.

in NO WAY should you return any monies.

[rplace]

28 minutes ago, Schu said:

in NO WAY should you return any monies

 

On that point we are in total agreement.

 

Sending the item and then losing funds down the road is the real concern. If it is just an honest mistake, I want the deal done and behind me. I in no way want to screw the guy if he is legit. Everything I read from the reverse perspective of trying to get back a transaction after you send it, more or less says you are SOL. 

 

[Ceptorman]

I'm a contractor and receive payments via Venmo, PayPal, and Zelle, it's the way of the new world. I've never had a problem with Zelle. The only thing Zelle required that the others didn't was they asked for my business EIN.

[veloceleste]

The best spies are the ones you will now know about and the best con artists are the ones you don’t suspect…..

[Invidiosulus]

Rule number 1, never buy something from a stranger via PayPal friends and family.

 

[rplace]

8 hours ago, Invidiosulus said:

Rule number 1, never buy something from a stranger via PayPal friends and family. Read AND comprehend the original post before you toss in pointless comments.

 

 

I fixed that for ya

[geezin']

18 hours ago, rplace said:

the guy is supposed to send me a PayPal friends and family payment ............................

His post is relevant.

[rplace]

2 hours ago, geezin' said:

His post is relevant.

 

Care to elaborate? I'm looking for insight as a Zelle seller not a PP FF buyer. Perhaps the comprehension issue is more widespread.

[Invidiosulus]

22 minutes ago, rplace said:

 

Care to elaborate? I'm looking for insight as a Zelle seller not a PP FF buyer. Perhaps the comprehension issue is more widespread.

I get it, the thread is about making sure you don’t get scammed via Zelle.

My point is that your originally requested method of payment is one of the preferred method of sellers trying to scam people since PayPal explicitly states that funds transferred via the “sending to a friend” option are not covered under PayPal buyer protection.

 

A Zelle transfer offers no protection for the buyer either since Zelle doesn’t hold onto the money in any way since they are merely a transfer service offered by your bank.

Everything in Zelle’s documentation, and what is provided by my bank regarding Zelle transfers, would indicate to me that once the money shows up in my account I would be good to go and ready to ship.

 

[rplace]

Apologies if my OP was not clear that the point of Friend and Family via PayPal holds zero weight. We were both fine with that. Actually he is fine with it I would not sell ANYTHING today via paypal without it being friends and family. If you have sold anything of substantial value on PayPal since around 2011 you realize that PayPal almost always sides with the buyer no matter what. And the scammers know this. I personally know a guy that is 100% legit, honest, salt of the earth, straight shooter, and sold a 3,000+ watch on a watch forum via PayPal Goods and Services. Buyer shows "unboxing" pix of a box of rocks "sent". After a long back and forth PayPal takes the $3K back from the legit seller. Watch and $$$ all in the hands of the buyer....well thief.

 

I personally only deal with people I can build up a rapport with and convince them I'm above board. I don't really need to sell my stuff. I value the space these days more than the cash. If they won't meet in person and absolutely have to have my cast off junk, then they can live with my rules.

 

Its just knee jerk reactions and hearsay these days for old farts to say "Never buy anything Friends and Family or get a certified check or postal money order only" that was so 2006. All the selling sites have sided with the buyers. legit, honest sellers inturn get screwed. That was my whole point in the first post that I need some Zelle expertise and not just "I've never used Zell but...."

 

@Ceptorman gets it. This is the new world we are living in, like it or not. TikTok, Amazon same day delivery for "free".  People want things now and if both sides are comfy, PP FF is fine. Just be smart about it on both sides. I just sold a $4,500 DAC to a guy in Canada. He paid PayPal Friends and family because he didn't use Venmo (instant no fees no protection). I shipped it to a 3rd party PMB in New York. He traveled across the border to pick it up. Here is is feedback on US Audiomart  he left for me:

 

"He did everything he said he would. An excellent seller highly recommend. He is honest and transparent. Definitely a plus to the HiFi world. If you are buying from him be assured your are in capable hands. I highly recommend him"

 

So much for never buy with PP FF, no?

 

I hardly post here anymore because of all the chaff and not much wheat. I get it we are all wasting time and like to poke fun and rib each other. Also, ultimately it is just an Internet forum. That's why this place used to be so much fun. Flip side when people had legit questions and were looking for non-audio advice, most (key word most) used to be helpful not spew out crap they had no idea about. There is a place and time for everything. I used be on fantastic Home Brewing forum where rule #1 was "don't be a d!ck". Pretty sage advice for all of life, I think.

[The Dude]

23 hours ago, Invidiosulus said:

Rule number 1, never buy something from a stranger via PayPal friends and family.

 

That's every purchase I ever made here....I knew none of you could be trusted. 

[rplace]

5 minutes ago, The Dude said:

I know none of you could be trusted

 

I sooooo want to believe that every single one of  your posts is actually sent by Jeff `The Dude' Leboswki sitting in a robe drinking a White Russian.

 

Careful man, there's a beverage here.

[Mike_S]

the $1 PayPal is not unusual for someone sending money the first time. Paypal is separate from your bank, it's a standalone product. 

 

Zelle is part of your bank account, yes, it's a stand alone product, but at least with my banks, it's part of my banks online portal. If I Zelle it's done from my bank account. 

You can lookup people from email, phone, QR code, etc.. It's not all that hard to find someone, but hopefully you find the correct someone.  Like if I was sending money to Joe Johnson, I would make sure it's the correct Joe Johnson. Yes, once you send the money, it's done, there is nothing you can do. 

 

While it's a little weird, people do that stuff all the time, swap payment types, even had people send me a combo of Zelle and PayPal. 

 

If you confirm it was him that sent you the money, and they are not asking for anything back but the product sold, think it's a solid transaction.