Send and receive money safely with Zelle®
If you’re like most people today, the way you send and receive money is almost entirely digital. And while fast and convenient, it should be safe. We want you to feel confident and secure using Zelle® for all sorts of things in your life, so here are some important facts to know.
When you authorize a payment,
it's like sending cash
Zelle® doesn’t offer a protection program for authorized payments. Once you authorize a payment to be sent with Zelle®, you can’t cancel it if the recipient is already enrolled because money goes directly into the recipient’s bank account within minutes[1]. If you don’t know a person or aren’t sure you’ll get what you paid for, using your credit card may be a better payment option. Many credit card companies offer built-in buyer protections for cardholders. Check the terms and conditions of your credit card to see what’s offered.
Think you’ve been scammed or a victim of fraud?
First, we’re so sorry to hear you may have been a victim of a scam or fraud. Even the most tech-savvy of us can fall for scammers’ tricks because they continue to find new schemes to exploit millions of innocent people. In fact, according to the FTC consumers reported losing more than $5.8 billion to fraud in 2021.
If you suspect you’ve been a victim, here’s what you need to know and do next.
Using Zelle® Through Your Banking App
- Immediately report suspicious activity to your bank or credit union. Call the official number on the back of your bank-issued debit card or the customer support number on your online or mobile banking app
- Report the user directly to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at https://www.ic3.gov
- Explore additional safety resources from your financial institution, Cybercrime Support Network, FTC, CFPB or other community resources for fraud and scam victims
Using the Zelle® App (Bank doesn’t offer Zelle®)
- Immediately report suspicious activity to Zelle® Support.
- If you authorized the payment, report a scam here.
- If you did not authorize the transaction, report fraud by calling 1-844-428-8542
- Report the user directly to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at https://www.ic3.gov
- Explore additional safety resources from Zelle®, Cybercrime Support Network, FTC, CFPB or other community resources for fraud and scam victims
There may be differences in the consumer protections available by your bank or credit union depending on whether you were the victim of a scam or fraud. When you contact your financial institution to report the incident, they can help you understand the recourse available to you. Learn more about the differences in how fraud and scams are defined.
The Science Behind Scams
Did you know there’s a link between scams and psychology? Some of the most common scams take advantage of our most basic psychological needs and instincts. We partnered with Vox to create the Explainer Series, "The Science Behind Scams," to educate consumers about modern day scams. Understanding the psychology behind these tactics can help you avoid them.
Check out our series to get inside the minds of scammers and see if you could spot a scam.