Fraud Is Flourishing on Zelle. The Banks Say It’s Not Their Problem. (Published 2022) (2024)

Business|Fraud Is Flourishing on Zelle. The Banks Say It’s Not Their Problem.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/06/business/payments-fraud-zelle-banks.html

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Zelle, the payments platform used by millions of customers, is a popular target of scammers. But banks have been reluctant to make fraud victims whole — despite owning the system.

Credit...Daniel Zender

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Justin Faunce lost $500 to a scammer impersonating a Wells Fargo official in January and hoped that the bank would reimburse him. Mr. Faunce was a longtime Wells Fargo customer and had immediately reported the scam — involving Zelle, the popular money transfer app.

But Wells Fargo said the transaction wasn’t fraudulent because Mr. Faunce had authorized it — even though he had been tricked into transferring the money.

Mr. Faunce was shocked. “It was clearly fraud,” he said. “This wasn’t my fault, so why isn’t the bank doing the right thing here?”

Consumers love payment apps like Zelle because they’re free, fast and convenient. Created in 2017 by America’s largest banks to enable instant digital money transfers, Zelle comes embedded in banking apps and is now by far the country’s most widely used money transfer service. Last year, people sent $490 billion through Zelle, compared with $230 billion through Venmo, its closest rival.

Zelle’s immediacy has also made it a favorite of fraudsters. Other types of bank transfers or transactions involving payment cards typically take at least a day to clear. But once crooks scare or trick victims into handing over money via Zelle, they can siphon away thousands of dollars in seconds. There’s no way for customers — and in many cases, the banks themselves — to retrieve the money.

Nearly 18 million Americans were defrauded through scams involving digital wallets and person-to-person payment apps in 2020, according to Javelin Strategy & Research, an industry consultant.

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Fraud Is Flourishing on Zelle. The Banks Say It’s Not Their Problem. (Published 2022) (2024)

FAQs

Will Zelle refund money if scammed? ›

How to Get Your Money Back. Zelle is processing each scam claim they receive on a case-by-case basis. If you haven't already done so, file a claim directly with Zelle through their app or by phone (844-428-8542). You'll also need to file a claim with the bank or credit union your funds were taken.

Why is Zelle not trustworthy? ›

Why? Because you can't cancel a payment once it's been sent, if the recipient is already enrolled with Zelle®. And if you send money to someone you don't know, or you do not get what you expected, you may not get your money back.

How do you know if Zelle is fraud? ›

If someone gained access to your bank account and made a payment with Zelle® without your permission, and you weren't involved in any way with the transaction, this is typically considered fraud since it was unauthorized activity.

Is there a lawsuit against Zelle? ›

The lawsuits allege that Zelle, which is automatically integrated into the banks' network, is “prominently touted” by the banks as a “secure, free, and convenient way” to make money transfers. However, when it comes to fraud, Zelle does not provide protections for victims of fraud.

Can bank reverse a transaction if scammed? ›

Contact your bank and tell them it was an unauthorized debit or withdrawal. Ask them to reverse the transaction and give you your money back. Did you pay with a gift card? Contact the company that issued the gift card.

How long do banks refund scammed money? ›

How do banks investigate unauthorized transactions and how long does it take to get my money back? Once you notify your bank or credit union, it generally has ten business days to investigate the issue (20 business days if the account has been open less than 30 days).

Can someone access your bank account through Zelle? ›

Can Your Bank Account Be Hacked Through Zelle? Because Zelle's roots connect to the largest banks in America, Zelle is fairly safe from hacks. Most Zelle scams boil down to scammers fraudulently inducing victims to transfer money or share account details.

How do I make sure I don't get scammed on Zelle? ›

#3: Only use Zelle to send money to those you know and trust. Do not use P2P payments for online purchases or to send money to anyone you don't have a personal relationship with. Make sure you have your recipient's name, number, or email correct. The best strategy is to only send money to trusted friends or family.

Should I accept a Zelle payment from a stranger? ›

No, it is not safe to accept Zelle payments from strangers because there is always the possibility of the stranger being a scammer. If the stranger is a scammer, then you could end up losing money by accepting a Zelle payment from them.

What is the most common Zelle fraud? ›

Here are some common examples of scams you might encounter on Zelle: Financial institution impersonators. A scammer pretends to be from a bank or credit union and claims they need updated account information or to verify a transaction, with the goal of getting you to click on a link. Business account scam.

Are banks liable for Zelle fraud? ›

The Economic Funds Transfer Act (“EFTA”) claim for these types of transactions is being bolstered by determinations by the federal banking regulators – the CFPB and the FDIC – that both banks and the money payment platform providers – like Zelle, Cash App, or Venmo – have duties under EFTA to investigate electronic ...

What happens when you report fraud on Zelle? ›

Zelle is reversing charges, but each claim needs to be approved on a case-by-case basis. Your funds will be returned to your account in accordance with your bank's policies. Zelle app customers can report unauthorized transactions by phone at 844-428-8542.

Is Zelle discontinued? ›

Don't worry! Our network of participating financial institutions is always growing, and you can still use Zelle® by downloading the Zelle® app for Android and iOS.

Can you cancel a Zelle transfer? ›

You can only cancel a payment if the recipient hasn't yet enrolled with Zelle®. You can go to your activity page within the Zelle® experience, either within your mobile banking app or the Zelle® app, choose the payment you want to cancel, and then select “Cancel This Payment.”

What is the Chase Zelle class action lawsuit? ›

A Delaware judge has dismissed with prejudice an investor's lawsuit alleging that directors at JPMorgan Chase & Co. , including CEO Jamie Dimon, ignored red flags about the bank's response to fraud on the Zelle money-transfer platform.

Can a Zelle payment be Cancelled? ›

Can I cancel a payment? You can only cancel a payment if the recipient hasn't yet enrolled with Zelle®. You can go to your activity page within the Zelle® experience, either within your mobile banking app or the Zelle® app, choose the payment you want to cancel, and then select “Cancel This Payment.”

How long does a Zelle refund take? ›

If the payment is not accepted in time, it will be canceled, and refunded to your account. The refund can take up to three business days to be credited and notification will be sent to you and your recipient.

Is it safe to accept Zelle payment from strangers? ›

No, it is not safe to accept Zelle payments from strangers because there is always the possibility of the stranger being a scammer. If the stranger is a scammer, then you could end up losing money by accepting a Zelle payment from them.

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