A Safe and Easy Way to Send Money to Friends and Family

What is Zelle^®?
Zelle^® is a convenient way to send and receive money with friends, family and others you trust through your bank or credit union’s mobile app or online banking.  All you need is your recipient’s email address or U.S. mobile number, and money will be available to use in minutes if they’re already enrolled with Zelle^®. Your account information and activity stay private. Zelle^® is available in over 2,200 bank and credit union apps, so you can send money to friends and family even if they don’t bank at CU SoCal.¹

How do I use Zelle^®?
You can send, request, or receive money with Zelle^®. To get started, log into the CU SoCal Mobile Banking App. In the main menu, select “Transfer and Pay” and then “Send money with Zelle®”.

To send money using Zelle^®, simply select someone from your mobile device’s contacts (or add a trusted recipient’s email address or U.S. mobile number), add the amount you’d like to send and an optional note, review, then hit “Send.” The recipient will receive an email or text message notification via the method they used to enroll with Zelle^®. Money is available to your recipient in minutes if they are already enrolled with Zelle^®.

To request money using Zelle^®, choose “Request,” select the individual from whom you’d like to request money, enter the amount you’d like, include an optional note, review and hit “Request”. If the person you are requesting money from is not yet enrolled with Zelle^®, you must use their email address to request money. If the person has enrolled their U.S. mobile number, then you can send the request using their U.S. mobile number.

To receive money, just share your enrolled email address or U.S. mobile number with a friend and ask them to send you money with Zelle^®. If you have already enrolled with Zelle^®, you do not need to take any further action. The money will be sent directly into your CU SoCal account, typically within minutes.

If someone sent you money with Zelle^® and you have not yet enrolled with Zelle^®, follow these steps:

1. Click on the link provided in the payment notification you received via email or text message.
2. Select CU SoCal.
3. Follow the instructions provided on the page to enroll and receive your payment. Pay attention to the email address or U.S. mobile number where you received the payment notification – you should enroll with Zelle^® using that email address or U.S. mobile number to ensure you receive your money.

Is my information secure?
Keeping your money and information secure is a top priority for CU SoCal. When you use Zelle^® within our Mobile Banking App, your information is protected with the same technology we use to keep your CU SoCal account safe.

Who can I send money to with Zelle^®?
Zelle^® is a great way to send money to family, friends, and people you are familiar with such as your personal trainer, babysitter or neighbor.¹

Since money is sent directly from your CU SoCal account to another person’s bank account within minutes¹, Zelle^® should only be used to send money to friends, family and others you trust.

If you don’t know the person or aren’t sure you will get what you paid for (for example, items bought from an online bidding or sales site), you should not use Zelle^®. These transactions are potentially high risk (just like sending cash to a person you don’t know is high risk).

Can I pay a small business with Zelle^®?
Some small businesses are able to receive payments with Zelle^®. Ask your favorite small business if they accept payments with Zelle^®. If they do, you can pay them directly from the CU SoCal Mobile Banking App using just their email address or U.S. mobile number.

Does CU SoCal or Zelle^® offer purchase protection?
Neither CU SoCal nor Zelle^® offers purchase protection for payments made with Zelle^® – for example, if you do not receive the item you paid for, or the item is not as described or as you expected. Only send money to people and small businesses you trust and always ensure you’ve used the correct email address or U.S. mobile number when sending money.

I believe I’ve been a victim of a scam. Who should I contact?
Please contact our Member Care Center at 866.287.6225. Qualifying imposter scams may be eligible for reimbursement.

Can I use Zelle^® internationally?
In order to use Zelle^®, the sender and recipient’s bank or credit union accounts must be based in the U.S.

Can I reverse or cancel a payment?
No, Zelle® payments cannot be reversed.

You can only cancel a payment if the person you sent money to hasn’t yet enrolled with Zelle^®. To check whether the payment is still pending because the recipient hasn’t yet enrolled, you can go to your activity page, choose the payment you want to cancel, and then select “Cancel This Payment.” If you do not see this option available, please contact our Member Care Center at 866.287.6225 for assistance with canceling the pending payment.

If the person you sent money to has already enrolled with Zelle^® through their bank or credit union’s mobile app, the money is sent directly to their bank account and cannot be canceled. This is why it’s important to only send money to people you know and trust, and always ensure you’ve used the correct email address or U.S. mobile number when sending money.

If you sent money to the wrong person, please immediately call our Member Care Center at 866.287.6225 to determine what options are available.

Are there any fees to send money using Zelle^®?
No, CU SoCal does not charge any fees to use Zelle^® in the CU SoCal Mobile Banking App.

Are there any limits for sending and receiving money with Zelle^®?
The amount of money you can send, as well as the frequency, is set by each participating financial institution. To determine CU SoCal’s send limits, call our Member Care Center at 866.287.6225.

At CU SoCal, there are no limits to the amount of money you can receive with Zelle^®. However, remember that the person sending you money will most likely have limits set by their own financial institution on the amount of money they can send you.

What if I want to send money to someone whose bank or credit union doesn’t offer Zelle^®?
As of March  31, 2025, all users must be enrolled through one of the more than 2,200 banks and credit unions that offer Zelle^® in order to send and receive money. The list of participating financial institutions is always growing. You can find the updated  list of participating banks and credit unions live with Zelle^® at Zellepay.com. If their bank or credit union is not listed, we recommend you use another payment method at this time.

I have scanned a Zelle® QR code, but it isn’t working.
The Zelle^® QR code feature is currently not available at CU SoCal. The ability to use Zelle® QR code will be available soon.

¹ To send or receive money with Zelle^®, both parties must have an eligible checking or savings account. Transactions between enrolled users typically occur in minutes.

Zelle^® and the Zelle^® related marks are wholly owned by Early Warning Services, LLC and are used herein under license.

What is Zelle® and how do I enroll?
Zelle® is a fast, secure way to send and receive money between almost any U.S. bank or credit union. Funds typically arrive within minutes if both people are enrolled. To enroll, log into the CU SoCal Mobile Banking app, tap “More” (bottom right corner), tap “Transfer and Pay”, then tap “Send Money with Zelle®,” and follow the setup prompts. Also see the video on this page, “How to Enroll with Zelle®.”

Who can use Zelle® at CU SoCal?
Members must be 18 or older, have a CU SoCal eligible checking account, and be enrolled in our Mobile Banking app with a valid U.S. mobile number or email.

I used the stand-alone Zelle® app before—how do I switch to CU SoCal’s App?
If you used the stand-alone Zelle® App before, you may be prompted to transfer your contact information (email or mobile) to CU SoCal during the registration process.

Can I use Zelle® from my computer?
No. Zelle® is currently available only through the CU SoCal Mobile Banking app.

Do I need a debit card to use Zelle®?
No. Zelle® uses your CU SoCal checking account directly.

Can I use Zelle® with my savings account?
No. A CU SoCal checking account is required.

Can joint account holders use Zelle®?
Yes. Joint owners can enroll separately if they have their own CU SoCal Mobile Banking login. If you’re using shared credentials with the primary Member, Zelle® may not enroll properly under your name.

How do I update my email or mobile number for Zelle®?
Log into the CU SoCal Mobile Banking app, tap “More”, select “Transfer and Pay”, select “Send Money with Zelle®,” tap the Settings gear icon, and update your contact info in Zelle®.

Can I link more than one email or phone number?
Yes. You can link up to two email addresses and two U.S. mobile numbers to your Zelle® profile.

Can I use the same email or number with multiple Zelle® accounts?
No. Each email or number can only be linked to one Zelle® account at a time.

Who can I contact for Zelle® help?
Please contact CU SoCal directly. Do not contact Zelle® Support.

Local: 562.698.8326
Toll free: 866.CU.SoCal (866.287.6225)
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

How do I send money with Zelle®?
Log into the CU SoCal Mobile Banking app, tap “More”, select “Transfer and Pay”, select “Send Money with Zelle®,” tap “Send”, select a contact, enter the amount, and tap Send. The money moves directly from your CU SoCal account to the recipient.

How do I request money with Zelle®?
Log into the CU SoCal Mobile Banking app, tap “More”, select “Transfer and Pay”, select “Send Money with Zelle®,” tap “Request”, select a contact, enter the amount, and tap Send. The recipient will receive a notification.

What are the limits for sending money with Zelle®?
Zelle® limits vary based on your CU SoCal account history and Member standing. To view your current limit or request a higher limit, please contact CU SoCal.

Can I increase my Zelle® limit?
Contact CU SoCal to find out if you’re eligible for a higher Zelle® limit. Eligibility is based on factors like account history and Member standing. Most requests are reviewed and processed on the same day.

Can I cancel a Zelle® payment after sending?
You can cancel a payment only if the recipient hasn’t enrolled with Zelle®. Open the CU SoCal Mobile Banking app, tap “Send Money with Zelle®”, go to “Activity,” and select “Cancel.” If a recipient is enrolled in Zelle®, the payment cannot be canceled.

What if I sent money to the wrong person?
First, try to cancel the payment if the recipient isn’t enrolled. If it’s too late, contact the recipient and ask them to return the money. Contact CU SoCal to submit a Dispute Form, but refunds are not guaranteed.

How will I know if someone sent me money?
The money will be deposited directly into your checking account, and you’ll receive a text or email notification.

Can I use Zelle® internationally?
No. Zelle® works only between U.S.-based bank or credit union accounts.

Are there any fees to use Zelle®?
CU SoCal does not charge fees for Zelle®. Standard message and data rates may apply.

Is sending and receiving money with Zelle® secure?
Yes. Zelle® is built into CU SoCal’s Mobile Banking app and uses the same advanced security measures to protect your account and personal information. As always, only send money to people you know and trust.

Can I get a refund if I was scammed?
Zelle®payments are final and not covered by CU SoCal or Zelle®. Only send money to people you trust.

What if I didn’t authorize a Zelle® payment?
Contact CU SoCal immediately.

Why wasn’t I contacted when my Zelle® transaction was blocked?
Zelle® uses automated security reviews to monitor for unusual activity. CU SoCal may not be able to notify you immediately when a transaction is flagged. If you believe a transaction was incorrectly blocked, please contact CU SoCal directly.

Can I use Zelle® with a business account?
No. Zelle® is only available for personal eligible checking accounts at CU SoCal.

Why is it important to use full names when sending money with Zelle®?
Always use the recipient’s full name (first, middle, and last). Incomplete names, nicknames or common names may trigger security reviews or delays.

Why are Zelle® transactions sometimes blocked or delayed?
CU SoCal’s fraud prevention systems may temporarily block or review Zelle® transactions to protect your account. If your access is restricted, please contact CU SoCal.