PSA: Avoid this scam
Zelle, Venmo, and similar apps are only for sending money to people or businesses you know and trust. They are a workaround for the ACH transfer system the US banking system uses (the one that puts a 3 day hold on your money) and scammers have found a way to exploit that.
Here's how it works:
1) you're suddenly sent a large amount of money (usually $1000) through an app.
2) you get a message that says, either "Hey, I'll let you keep $100 of the money if you send (using the app) $900 to [different account than the one that sent you the money]" or "I goofed and sent money to you and not my [family member, friend, etc]. Can you please send the money to them?"
3) you send the money and then, 2-3 business days later, you suddenly discover that your account is suddenly much less than it should be.
The money that is sent to your account wasn't really there. Your bank gave you a credit until the deposit cleared ACH (which takes 3 business days). You just sent the bank's money, and the bank will want it back. You have no recourse to get that money back, as you willingly sent it.
The bottom line:
If anybody randomly sends you a large amount of money, DO NOTHING WITH THAT MONEY for 3 business days.
Here's how it works:
1) you're suddenly sent a large amount of money (usually $1000) through an app.
2) you get a message that says, either "Hey, I'll let you keep $100 of the money if you send (using the app) $900 to [different account than the one that sent you the money]" or "I goofed and sent money to you and not my [family member, friend, etc]. Can you please send the money to them?"
3) you send the money and then, 2-3 business days later, you suddenly discover that your account is suddenly much less than it should be.
The money that is sent to your account wasn't really there. Your bank gave you a credit until the deposit cleared ACH (which takes 3 business days). You just sent the bank's money, and the bank will want it back. You have no recourse to get that money back, as you willingly sent it.
The bottom line:
If anybody randomly sends you a large amount of money, DO NOTHING WITH THAT MONEY for 3 business days.