A RENTER has lost their deposit after a scammer hacked into an apartment’s system to steal hundreds of dollars from other tenants.

Multiple tenants at Brandywine Apartments in Massachusetts became victims of a security breach after receiving fraudulent emails asking them to pay rent through Zelle.

One person in particular sent their deposit for an apartment to the scammer, resulting in her losing her $400 deposit, according to the incident report from the Amherst Police Department (APD).

When people send money through Zelle, the online money transfer app, it can’t be canceled if the recipient is a part of the program

Police have revealed that four people have been identified as victims of the scammer.

President of Snow Asset Management Inc. Erica Snow explained that she found out after being notified by one of the residents in the building.

“While we continue to investigate how the breach occurred, it appears that the email account of one of our staff members was compromised, which allowed this event to occur,” Arbron told Massachussettes Daily Collegian.

Arbon went on to claim that despite the breach, other information had not been leaked to the hacker.

Brandywine management then warned their tenants explaining they would never ask for payment through online cash apps.

“If you receive an email from us asking you to pay this way, please do not do so. This is a scam!! If you have made a rent payment recently with an online cash app, please let us know as well as call the police.”

To rectify the situation, Arbon explained that each victim received a credit to their account, and was offered back their stolen money.

“We did not have to do this, but our company’s ethical values are to go the extra mile to help our residents,” Arbon said.

“We urge people to be careful when sending funds through these apps to their friends, businesses and others.

“Even when you think you know the person, you might not, it is always wise to check ahead of time via a different way of communication that the person is the one requesting the money.”

Snow Asset Management has also alerted tenants that they are working with IT specialists to add “enhanced protections.”

“Though we have very strong safeguards in place, unfortunately, no system is immune from all security risks,” Arbron said.

Top tips on avoiding scams from a bank

As scams become more sophisticated with the use of artificial intelligence, it is important you know how to spot a scam and how to avoid them.

• Be skeptical of online deals that seem too good to be true, especially on social media.
• Scammers will often use tactics to make you panicked so you make quick decisions – be cautious if you are told to take immediate action and verify who has contacted you.
• Chase Bank warns customers to “never return any unexpected funds without calling Chase first.”
• Never send money to someone you have only spoken to online or by phone as this is likely a romance scam.
• Unless you 100% know who you are talking to, never give someone remote access to your device.
• Never accept help from strangers at an ATM and always be vigilant when making withdrawals.
• Do not send money or click any links indicating that you have won a prize.

Source: Chase.com

ANOTHER ZELLE FRAUD

In 2021, Demi Woods thought she received a phone call from what she thought was Bank of America.

The person on the phone told her that someone had gotten into her Zelle account and had been withdrawing money, and she had to act quickly to fix it.

The fraudster asked Woods to confirm her information with her bank, and then Zelle herself money to restore her balance.

“It’s just scary because he had my name, date of birth and my account number,” she told ABC affiliate WLS-TV in November 2021.

“Who the heck would have all that information?”

Completely convinced by the caller, she did what she was told and gave them everything they needed.

It didn’t take long for Woods to realize that she was out $3,500.

The U.S. Sun has reached out to Brandywine Apartments.

.