How To Use Zelle: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners (2024)

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When you need to send or receive money, sometimes you can’t wait a few business days, so you need a money transfer platform that can help you do so instantly. Finding an option you can trust goes a long way, so a good indicator of security is finding one run through your bank. Whether you need to send money to friends directly to their bank account or want an easy-to-use mobile app for transferring money, you can make Zelle work for you.

Quick Take: How Zelle Works

If your bank supports Zelle, which is a payment platform similar to Cash App and Venmo, you do not need to enroll separately and you can start using it on your banking app. Otherwise, you will have to download the mobile app for iOS or Android and enter some basic information to get started. Here are some key takeaways to keep in mind while getting set up with Zelle:

• If your bank supports Zelle, then you only need to enter your email address and U.S. phone number.
• If your bank doesn’t offer Zelle, you can still use it by downloading the Zelle app. You will also have to enter your debit card details to get started.
• You can make instant money transfers to almost all U.S. checking or savings accounts.
• Zelle is available at many banks and credit unions, such as Bank of America, Ally Bank, TD Bank, Wells Fargo, PNC Bank, Citizens Bank, Chase, Capital One, Citi®, Navy Federal Credit Union and more.
• If you are using Zelle as a standalone app, the weekly sending limit is $500. If you are going through your bank, you will have to contact it to find out your specific limits.
• While sending money, make sure you are only using contact details you’ve received from people you know and trust. Once you have initiated a payment, you may not be able to cancel it, so be cautious when you are sending your money.

Sending Money Through Zelle

Sending money through your bank account or the mobile app is a pretty straightforward process, especially if you know what steps to take. After you have enrolled, simply do the following:

• Step 1: Enter the mobile phone number or email address of the recipient. Make sure you trust the recipient, as once money is sent, it is hard to recover even if it’s sent to the wrong person.
• Step 2: Enter the amount you want to send when prompted. Make sure to double-check the sending limit with your specific financial institution, as it can vary.
• Step 3: Send the money. Before doing so, make sure to carefully review the transaction details, as you can only cancel a payment if the user you sent money isn’t enrolled in Zelle. Double-checking that all the details are correct before sending saves you some headaches, as once sent, it goes straight to the recipient’s bank account and can’t be undone.
• Step 4: If the recipient is already enrolled, the money will be sent to their account within minutes. If the recipient is not enrolled, they will receive a notification explaining how they can receive the money.

Receiving Money Through Zelle

Once you are all set up, you can receive money directly within minutes. You don’t have to take any extra steps to receive money with Zelle.

How To Use Zelle Through QR Codes

You can also send or receive money by using a QR code.

• To send money, while on the “Select Recipient” screen, select the QR code icon displayed at the top.
• When your phone camera opens, scan the code and enter the amount.

You can find your own code by tapping the “My Code” tab. If you cannot find the QR code, then your bank or credit union does not support this function yet.

Zelle Safety

Zelle is considered to be a safe money transfer app and is protected by data encryption. You should still exercise caution when sending money and confirm you have the correct information before you hit send.

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Which Banks Support Zelle?

Zelle is supported by many banks and credit unions, such as Citizens Bank, Ally Bank and Navy Federal Credit Union. Account holders of these banks get Zelle as a default option. You can check out Zelle’s full list of participating banks and credit unions on its website.

Final Take To GO

The bottom line is that Zelle can be a convenient option when you are trying to send money quickly to your friends or make a payment. However, like all money transfer apps, you should be careful how you send your money. Zelle scams are very common, and you need to be vigilant regarding disclosing personal information.

Caitlyn Moorhead contributed to the reporting for this article.

Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity named in this article.