Buyers frequently get scammed with Zelle, but not with GunTab.

What is Zelle?

Zelle is an alternative to GunTab. It is a payment platform that transfers money from one party to another through your banking app or the stand-alone Zelle app. Zelle describes itself as "an easy way to send and receive money with friends and family."

Do scammers use Zelle?

Yes, scammers frequently request payment by Zelle because it does not protect buyers. As indicated by StopGunScams.com, Zelle is one of the most commonly accepted payment methods for gun scams.

Side-by-side comparison

		Zelle
Guns & ammo allowed
Gun parts allowed
Card payments
Bank payments
Unlimited amounts
Buyers safe
Sellers safe
Guaranteed
Guided steps
Automations
Service fee	2.9% or less	None
Card fee	3%	n/a

How good is Zelle?

Zelle is fairly popular online. But it prohibits gun-related transactions and makes users vulnerable to various scams.

Guns and ammo prohibited

Like all the payment platforms, Zelle strictly prohibits gun-related transactions. It requires: "you will not use the Service to request, send or receive money related to ... firearms, ammunition or other weapons". If Zelle catches you violating its policy, it can permanently ban you and may even seize your money.

Buyers extremely vulnerable

Zelle does not protect buyers. In fact, it isn't supposed to be used by "buyers" at all, only friends and family. The Zelle user agreement puts this warning in all-caps:

"YOU SHOULD NOT USE THE ZELLE® SERVICE TO SEND MONEY TO PERSONS WITH WHOM YOU ARE NOT FAMILIAR OR YOU DO NOT TRUST. ZELLE® DOES NOT OFFER A PROTECTION PROGRAM FOR AUTHORIZED PAYMENTS MADE WITH THE SERVICE (FOR EXAMPLE, IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE GOODS OR SERVICES THAT YOU PAID FOR, OR THE GOODS OR SERVICES THAT YOU RECEIVED ARE DAMAGED OR ARE OTHERWISE NOT WHAT YOU EXPECTED)."

If you get scammed, you can't file a chargeback. You authorized the payment, so your bank considers it your mistake and leaves you to suffer the consequences. Here is actual contract language from a Zelle user agreement:

"I agree that I, not Bank or Zelle, am responsible for resolving any payment or other disputes that I have with any other User with whom I send money to, or receive or request money from, using the Zelle Service."

That means you can't file a dispute through Zelle or the bank.

Sellers not vulnerable

Sellers do not seem to be vulnerable to fraudulent payments or chargebacks.

Which is better?

In short, using Zelle for guns or ammo is a big mistake. You have no protection from scams, and you even put your money at risk of being seized by Zelle. GunTab is totally safe, and even helps you complete your transactions. GunTab is clearly the better choice.