I sent money on Zelle to a scammer. Can I get it back?

Concerns & risks

You sent money with Zelle to someone selling concert tickets, and they vanished.

Payment app transfers to strangers can be hard to reverse.

Causes & evidence

Zelle and similar apps work like cash. Recovery isn't guaranteed, but reporting quickly helps. See payment scams.

What to do

1. Call your bank right away and report fraud.
2. Report it in the app.
3. File at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
4. Save screenshots of chats and listings.

Common mistakes: Common mistakes: waiting before calling the bank. Contact your bank or credit union right away, explain it was a scam and ask what they can do. Report it to the FTC. Be careful with 'recovery' services that promise to get your money back for a fee; that's often a second scam. Next time, only use payment apps with people you know and trust. Write down the date, amount, recipient name and any messages while it's fresh.

Speed Man tip: Next time, pay strangers with a credit card or a method with purchase protection.

Wrap-up: Contact your bank immediately. Report to the FTC. Use protected payment methods with strangers.