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    Zelle Scam Payments: Report the Loss and Ask About Your Options

    Contact your bank promptly after a suspected Zelle scam. Explain whether you made the transfer or someone accessed the account; do not assume a lawsuit guarantees reimbursement.

    By ZoraSafe · Content reviewed

    What the historical announcement said

    On August 13, 2025, the New York Attorney General announced a lawsuit against Early Warning Services, alleging failures connected to more than $1 billion in Zelle fraud losses between 2017 and 2023. This describes allegations at filing, not a finding of liability or a current case-status update.

    Sources: New York Attorney General: August 2025 lawsuit announcement concerning Zelle

    Give the bank a clear record

    A provider needs the circumstances of your payment, not just a headline about litigation. Rights and available processes depend on what happened and the applicable rules.

    1. Contact the bank through the official app or number on your card.
    2. Provide the transaction date, amount, recipient details and relevant messages.
    3. Explain any account takeover, shared code or payment instruction accurately.
    4. Ask about dispute, investigation and complaint options; keep the reference number.

    Sources: FTC: What to do if you were scammed

    Avoid a second loss

    Do not pay someone who promises access to a lawsuit refund or demands a recovery fee. Follow verified provider and agency instructions. This article does not promise a result or substitute for case-specific advice.

    Sources: FTC: Refund and recovery scams

    Sources and product references

    Reviewed 2026-10-08. Source dates and scope matter; a linked source supports the associated guidance, not every claim about every product.