Free money from Zelle or Cash App—just for filling out a government form? That’s what some TikTok videos claim. But Consumer Reports has a warning: it’s not a windfall—it’s simply not true.

Victims of scams on peer-to-peer payment platforms, like Zelle or Cash App, may try anything to get their money back. Enter Daraine Delevante and Gilbert Graim Jr., two social media influencers who have racked up millions of views, incorrectly claiming that filing a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau will get you a payout from these companies, even claiming you can be compensated even if you weren't a scam victim.

They make it sound easy: even offering complaint templates for $77 and things like a credit repair guide for $24.99.

Consumer Reports Investigative Reporter, Derek Kravitz, explains, “With the CFPB losing funding, there’s just not as much oversight right now, and these influencers are jumping on that, going after people who are already struggling financially.”

After publication, Gilbert Graim Jr. said in a statement that Consumer Reports had taken his words "completely out of context" and, while some people "may have interpreted my video as encouraging fraudulent claims," he would never encourage them to lie.

He added that he does not sell any product or endorse the sale of any product that would lead to the filing of consumer complaints, and that, while he shares complaint templates with his followers, he does not directly sell them.

Delevante says Cash...

Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMickFVX3lxTFBjVzFWN2JRY3BzbXo5cGNRVE5C...