(NewsNation) — One woman’s life went through an upheaval after she was scammed while using the popular banking app Zelle.
Nahema Bryan told NewsNation that she was in a tough spot even before she got scammed — her previous landlord was selling the home she lived in, and the mother of three had to move quickly.
After Bryan found a listing for a rental home she loved, she filled out paperwork and used Zelle to send an application fee to someone she thought was her new landlord.
“I was approved for the house. After that, he texted me again. He’s like, ‘Well, you’re approved for the house, so you can send me the security deposit now,’” Bryan said.
Bryan transferred $3,000 to the so-called landlord. After having issues, though, Bryan called her bank to clear things up — and discovered she’d been scammed.
“I said, ‘Well, is this a scam? Can you try and stop it?’” Bryan said. “He’s like no, because it’s considered cash. So all we can do now is put in the report.”
Now, Bryan shares a room with her three children.
“At the end of this, when I ended up living with my sons, I was down to $500 in my account,” Bryan said.
Bryan’s bank, Bank of America, told NewsNation it will reach out to her.
Chris Elliott, founder of Elliott Advocacy, which provides advice for consumers, says Zelle is the perfect tool for a scam.
“If Zelle…
