
Zelle is a fast and secure way to send and receive money electronically. It's like sending a text message, but with money.
The service is free to use, and transactions are usually processed in minutes. You can send up to $1,000 per transaction, and there's no fee for using Zelle.
To use Zelle, you need to have a bank account or debit card linked to the service. This makes it easy to send and receive money, and you can even use it to pay bills.
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How Zelle Works
Zelle is a way to send money directly to almost any bank account in the U.S. - typically within minutes. With an email address or U.S. mobile phone number, you can now quickly send money to people you trust, regardless of where they bank.
You can use Zelle within the Citizens' mobile app or Online Banking, and your information is protected with the same technology used to keep your bank account safe. This means you can send and receive money with confidence.
Here's how you can use Zelle:
• Send money to almost any bank account in the U.S.
• Use an email address or U.S. mobile phone number to quickly send money to people you trust
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How It Works
Zelle allows you to send and receive money directly with almost any bank account in the U.S., typically within minutes.
You can use Zelle to split the lunch tab with friends or pay the babysitter by sending and receiving money with just a tap. It's free for members in the mobile app.
With Zelle, you can easily receive cash for tickets you bought, and send your sister money for the gift you forgot.
Using Zelle to send money is as easy as a piece of cake, and the easiest solution for a messy mistake.
How to Transfer Funds
To transfer funds with Zelle, you simply need to sign in to your account and navigate to the Move Money section. This is where the magic happens.
To complete a Zelle transaction, you'll need to select Zelle, then Send Money. After that, you'll be asked to accept the terms and conditions, which is a straightforward process.
To find a new recipient, enter their email address or U.S. mobile number. If they haven't enrolled in Zelle, they'll receive an email or text letting them know how to enroll to access the money you've sent.
Once you've found the recipient, choose the amount to send and double-check that their information is correct. Sending money to the wrong recipient could result in a loss of funds, so make sure you get it right.
Here's a quick rundown of the steps:
- Sign in to your account and navigate to Move Money.
- Select Zelle, then Send Money.
- Accept the terms and conditions.
- Enter the recipient's email address or U.S. mobile number.
- Choose the amount to send and verify the recipient's information.
- Tap Send to complete the transaction.
And that's it! With Zelle, you can send and receive money directly between almost any U.S. bank accounts, typically within minutes.
Benefits and Features
Zelle is a fast and convenient way to send and receive money with just a few taps on your phone. It's free to use, with no fees for personal transactions.
You can use Zelle to pay anyone with a US bank account, and they can receive the money directly into their account. No need to exchange cash or wait for a check to clear.
Zelle is integrated with many banks and financial institutions, making it easy to send and receive money with people you know. It's also secure, with bank-level encryption to protect your transactions.
With Zelle, you can send money to anyone with a US bank account, 24/7, 365 days a year.
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Security and Safety
Your information is protected when you use Zelle within online banking, thanks to the same technology used to keep your bank account safe. This technology includes customizable security alerts and password-protected log-in.
To protect yourself, it's essential to monitor your accounts using online banking and bill pay. Create a unique password for your online banking account that you don't use for any other web account.
You can also safeguard your money and data by keeping your computer's operating system up to date and accepting update prompts. Update your anti-virus and anti-spyware software frequently to prevent any potential threats. Don't open or respond to emails from senders you don't know, and report any type of fraud concerning your accounts by calling 1-877-229-6430.
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Alert for Scams
Using payment apps like Zelle can be convenient, but be cautious of scams. Sending money to someone you don't know can be risky.
Be on the lookout for common scams circulating on payment apps. These scams can be tricky to spot, but knowing what to look out for can help protect your accounts.
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Using Zelle to pay for merchandise or services you can't be sure you'll get is a red flag. This can lead to financial losses and disappointment.
Watch out for scams that seem too good to be true or ask for sensitive information. These are often signs of a scammer trying to trick you.
Don't send money to someone you don't know or trust, especially if they're asking for payment through a payment app like Zelle.
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Data Security
Your information is protected when using Zelle within Citizens' Online or Mobile Banking with the same technology used to keep your bank account safe. This includes customizable security alerts and password-protected log-in.
To stay safe, it's essential to monitor your Citizens accounts using Online Banking and Bill Pay. This will help you catch any suspicious activity early on.
Creating a unique password for your Online Banking account that you don't use for any other web account is a good idea. This will prevent hackers from accessing your account if they somehow get your password.
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Update your anti-virus and anti-spyware software frequently to protect yourself from malware and other online threats. This is a crucial step in keeping your computer and personal data safe.
Keeping your computer's operating system up to date is also crucial. Accepting update prompts will ensure you have the latest security patches and features.
Don't open or respond to emails from senders you don't know, as this can be a common way for hackers to gain access to your account.
If you ever notice something's not right with your account, contact U.S. Bank immediately at their Fraud Liaison Center (877-595-6256). This will help prevent any further issues.
Here are some security tips to keep in mind:
- Monitor your accounts using Online Banking and Bill Pay
- Create a unique password for your Online Banking account
- Update your anti-virus and anti-spyware software frequently
- Keep your computer's operating system up to date
- Don't open or respond to emails from senders you don't know
Using Zelle with Others
You can send, request, or receive money with Zelle. To get started, log in to your bank's mobile app or online banking and navigate to Send money with Zelle.
Splitting the cost with friends is a breeze with Zelle. Just use the Chase Mobile app to split the bill and send a request to your friends.
Tired of asking a restaurant to split the bill multiple ways? Just pay the bill on your card and receive Zelle payments from friends and family for their portions.
How to Use

Using Zelle with Others is a breeze, and I'm here to guide you through the process.
To get started, you'll need to log in to the U.S. Bank Mobile App or online banking and navigate to Send money with Zelle. This will allow you to select an email address or United States mobile number that friends will use to send you money.
You can choose to enroll your United States mobile number at U.S. Bank and your email address at another bank or credit union (or vice versa). This gives people one or the other, allowing you to choose where you receive money from each individual.
To send money, simply select 'Send', 'Request', or 'Split' from the Zelle menu. Then, choose a contact and enter an amount. That's it! Your money will move in minutes.
More than 1,000 banking apps in the U.S. offer Zelle, so you can use it in the Chase Mobile app with friends and family, even if they don’t bank with Chase. This makes it easy to send and receive money with people across the country.
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If your recipient's bank isn't on the list of participating financial institutions, don't worry. They can still use Zelle by downloading the Zelle app for Android and iOS. To enroll, they'll need to enter their basic contact information (an email address and United States mobile number) and a Visa or Mastercard debit card with a United States-based account.
Split the Cost
You can use Zelle to split the cost of a large purchase or activity with up to 10 people. This makes it easy to share expenses with friends and family.
Over 1,000 banking apps in the U.S. offer Zelle, so you can use it even if your friends don't bank with the same institution. This means you can split the cost of a vacation or gift with friends and family.
To split the cost with Zelle, you can use the Chase Mobile app or the Citizens Mobile Banking app. Simply select 'Send', 'Request', or 'Split' from the app menu.
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Here are some examples of how to split the cost with Zelle:
- Dining out with friends: Use Zelle to split the cost and send a request right in your Chase Mobile app.
- Splitting the tab at a restaurant: Pay the bill on your card and receive Zelle payments from friends and family for their portions.
- Shared household bills: Set up recurring payments with Zelle to stay on top of your household bills, like rent.
With Zelle, money is safely sent directly between accounts with no stops in between. This makes it a convenient and secure way to split the cost with others.
Can I Use Globally?
You can use Zelle with people who have a United States bank account and a registered mobile number in the US. However, Zelle is only available for customers with an account held at a United States bank and United States registered mobile number.
Unfortunately, this means you can't use Zelle to send money overseas.
Can I Pay Small Businesses?
You can pay a small business with Zelle, but there's a catch: both parties must be enrolled with Zelle directly through their financial institution's online or mobile banking experience.
To do this, you'll need to ask the small business if they're enrolled with Zelle. If they are, you can send or receive money with them easily.
Zelle is a convenient way to pay small businesses, and it's typically done within minutes.
Fees and Limitations
Sending money with Zelle is free for U.S. Bank clients, as they don't charge any fees for sending, requesting, or receiving money.
You can send money with Zelle without worrying about surprise fees, which is a big plus.
Accessing Zelle
You can access Zelle through Citizens Online Banking or Mobile Banking. To get started, log in to your account online or open the Citizens Mobile Banking app.
To access Zelle from Citizens Online Banking, select "Send Money with Zelle" from the "Pay Bills and People" menu. From there, you can choose to send, request, or split money with a contact.
If you're using the Citizens Mobile Banking app, make sure it's updated, then open and log in to the app. Next, select "Send Money with Zelle" from the app menu.
You can also connect your account to Zelle by choosing your account and starting to send money to friends, family, and others you know and trust.
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Here's a quick rundown of the steps to access Zelle:
- Log in to Citizens Online Banking or open the Citizens Mobile Banking app
- Select "Send Money with Zelle" from the "Pay Bills and People" menu or the app menu
- Choose to send, request, or split money with a contact
- Select or enter a contact and enter an amount
- Watch your money move in minutes
With Zelle, you can send and receive money directly between almost any U.S. bank accounts, typically within minutes.
Regulatory Action and Concerns
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) filed a lawsuit against Zelle's operator, Early Warning Services (EWS), and three major banks in December 2024.
Customers of these banks lost over $870 million to fraud on Zelle's network over its seven-year existence.
Hundreds of thousands of consumers filed fraud complaints but were largely denied assistance.
The banks and EWS rushed Zelle to market without implementing effective consumer safeguards to compete with apps like Venmo and CashApp.
The CFPB is seeking to stop the alleged unlawful practices, secure redress and penalties, and obtain other relief.
The CFPB Director, Rohit Chopra, stated that the banks' failure to implement proper safeguards made Zelle "a gold mine for fraudsters".
Key allegations in the lawsuit include:
- Customers lost over $870 million to fraud.
- The banks and EWS failed to implement effective consumer safeguards.
- Hundreds of thousands of consumers filed fraud complaints but were largely denied assistance.
- The banks failed to properly investigate complaints or provide consumers with legally required reimbursement for fraud and errors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Zelle only through your bank?
No, Zelle is not exclusive to your bank, as it's also available through its own app. You can use Zelle even if your bank isn't part of the Zelle network.
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