Zelle

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US consumer watchdog sues big banks over ‘widespread’ fraud on Zelle payment app

Date: July 23, 2025

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has filed a lawsuit against several major U.S. banks, accusing them of failing to address fraudulent activities on the Zelle payment platform. The CFPB claims that these banks did not implement adequate measures to protect consumers from scams and fraudulent transactions, resulting in significant financial losses for many users. Zelle, a popular digital payment service, is jointly owned by several leading banks. The lawsuit alleges that despite being aware of the vulnerabilities, the banks did not take sufficient action to rectify the issues. The CFPB aims to hold these institutions accountable and seeks remedies to prevent future consumer harm....

Navigating the risks: Understanding Zelle scams

Date: July 23, 2025

Business Insider outlines the dangers of Zelle scams, where users are tricked into sending money via the Zelle app, often under false pretenses. Scammers typically create urgency—posing as trusted contacts or claiming suspicious activity—and pressure victims into making instant transfers. Once sent, Zelle payments are usually irreversible, offering no fraud protection for authorized transactions. Common red flags include unexpected requests, impersonation of known contacts, and emotionally manipulative scenarios like emergency pleas. Victims are encouraged to pause, verify the request independently (e.g., via a friend’s known number), and only send money to trusted individuals . Unfortunately, recovering funds is often difficult or impossible once the money is gone....