How to send money via zelle bank of america

OAKLAND, Calif. -- 7 On Your Side has reported about the many scams that drain their victims' bank accounts using Zelle, the popular quick-payment app owned by major banks. Fraudsters use a variety of schemes to trick victims into sending them money. The transfers are so fast, that they can't be traced or reversed.

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Follow these easy steps
Support urgent humanitarian needs
Can I Zelle someone with Bank of America?
How do I give someone my Zelle to receive money?
How do I transfer money to someone else's account Bank of America?

Now, a class-action lawsuit claims Bank of America has failed to warn customers about the risks of sending money through Zelle.

Zelle is the most widely-used peer-to-peer payment app in the country. Hundreds of banks automatically add Zelle to their online and mobile banking apps. It's simple to use and money is gone fast. Which makes it the perfect tool for scammers.

7 On Your Side has interviewed many Bank of America customers who were tricked into sending money to bank imposters using Zelle. All were shocked to find out that Bank of America offers no fraud protections for Zelle transactions.

RELATED: California woman loses over $18K through 'Zelle' after scammers text, call her pretending to be bank

Now, Bank of America is defending a federal class-action lawsuit claiming it encourages customers to use Zelle without warning about the "huge security risks" of linking Zelle to a bank account.

The suit, filed in federal court in Oakland, says Zelle is now the nation's most popular peer-to-peer payment app with $490 billion in money transfers last year alone.

And yet it has "a massive fraud problem."

The suit says Bank of America is aware of the risks to customers, but still "touts Zelle as a secure, free and convenient way to make money transfers."

SEE ALSO: Scams targeting Zelle app users rising as criminals get more creative; how to avoid losing thousands

Once money is sent, it says, "there is virtually no recourse for consumers to recoup losses" due to fraud.

A Bank of America spokesman said only: "We disagree with the allegations and will seek to have the case dismissed."

The plaintiff is a San Jose man who fell for a phony job scam. He sent $2,500 to the fraudsters via Zelle, and another $2,400 using Venmo. Bank of America denied his claim for reimbursement.

BofA has often pointed to the customer service agreement which says: "Neither the bank nor Zelle offer a protection program for authorized payments."

RELATED: In latest Zelle scam, Wells Fargo customers lose thousands after fraudsters pose as bank employees

But the suit says that warning is missing from marketing materials.

BofA initially denied claims of those who were defrauded by those bank imposters over the past two years.

However, after 7 On Your Side pointed out they were tricked into sending the money, B of A reversed itself and reimbursed each of the customers we brought to their attention.

The class action names only Bank of America as a defendant - not Zelle or Venmo. It asks for relief for B of A customers who were defrauded through Zelle or other payment apps, without being refunded. Bank of America has yet to file a response in court.

7OYS's consumer hotline is a free consumer mediation service for those in the San Francisco Bay Area. We assist individuals with consumer-related issues; we cannot assist on cases between businesses, or cases involving family law, criminal matters, landlord/tenant disputes, labor issues, or medical issues. Please review our FAQ here. As a part of our process in assisting you, it is necessary that we contact the company / agency you are writing about. If you do not wish us to contact them, please let us know right away, as it will affect our ability to work on your case. Due to the high volume of emails we receive, please allow 3-5 business days for a response.

Follow these easy steps

Enrolling your eligible U.S.-based checking or savings account is quick and convenient. You can do it right in Wells Fargo Online® or the Wells Fargo Mobile® app.

Sign on and select Transfer & Pay.
Go to Send Money with Zelle® and view the Welcome note.
Read and accept the Zelle® Transfer Service Addendum.
Enroll an email address or U.S. mobile number, and select the account where you want money to be deposited.

You're ready to use Zelle®.

Note: You may receive a one-time verification code for each email address or U.S. mobile number selected. If so, enter it in the verification code field.

Sending money is fast and convenient. It’s already part of your Wells Fargo Mobile app.

Sign on and select Transfer & Pay.
Go to Send Money with Zelle®.
Select a recipient from your list or add a new recipient. Then choose a From Account, and enter the amount.
Select Review and confirm that the email address or trusted U.S mobile number and name are correct.
Select Send.

To receive money, you’ll need to enroll your own email address or U.S. mobile number and choose an eligible Wells Fargo savings or checking account where you want the money deposited.

Sign on and select Transfer & Pay.
From the Zelle® screen, select Receive Settings or Settings.
From the Settings screen, choose the U.S.-based account where you want money to be deposited, then select Register beside the email address or U.S. mobile number you want to use, or both.
Let the sender know you accept payment with Zelle®. They'll need your U.S. mobile phone number or email address to send.

Note: You may receive a one-time verification code for each email address or U.S. mobile number selected. If so, enter it in the verification code field.

Requesting money using a smartphone through the Wells Fargo Mobile app is fast and convenient. Note: Make sure your email address or U.S. mobile phone number is enrolled with Zelle® through your Wells Fargo Online account.

Sign on and tap Zelle® in the bottom bar.
Then select Request.
Select from your list of recipients or " + " to add a new one.
Enter the amount you're requesting, double-check it to make sure it’s correct, then select Send.

Additional questions about requesting money? Find detailed answers in our Zelle® FAQs.

Support urgent humanitarian needs

Donating money to the American Red Cross with Zelle® is quick and easy. 100% of your donation goes directly to them.

Find out how to donate with Zelle®

Can I Zelle someone with Bank of America?

Zelle in the Bank of the America app is a fast, safe, and easy way to send and receive money with family and friends who have a bank account in the U.S., all with no fees. Money moves in minutes directly between accounts that are already enrolled with Zelle. Forget about cash and checks.

How do I give someone my Zelle to receive money?

To receive money, just share your enrolled email address or mobile number with a friend or person you trust and ask them to send you money with Zelle®.

How do I transfer money to someone else's account Bank of America?

To perform a transfer, sign in to your account and select Transfers from the navigation menu. You'll need to know the account number and transit routing number of the recipient.