Zelle® makes it easy to send money to people you know — split a dinner bill, pay your babysitter, send your kid gas money. It's fast, it's free through MEFCU, and once you send it, it's gone.
That last part is the most important thing on this page.
The One Rule That Matters Most
Only send money to people you know and trust — never to someone you've only talked to online or over the phone.
Zelle® moves money almost instantly, directly between bank accounts. There's no fraud protection team that can pull it back, no dispute process like a credit card chargeback, and no "undo" button once the recipient has enrolled. If you send money to a scammer, that money is gone.
How Zelle® Works at MEFCU
- New to Zelle®? There's a 24-hour waiting period after you enroll before you can send or receive your first payment. This isn't a glitch — it's a safeguard against fraud.
- Sending limits: $2,500 per day, $5,000 per week, $20,000 per month.
- No fees. Ever.
- Double-check the recipient. Zelle® sends money to whatever email or phone number you enter — not to a verified name. A single typo means your money goes to a stranger, and it's not recoverable.
- Business payments aren't supported. Zelle® is for paying people you know personally, not businesses or online sellers.
Scams to Watch For
Scammers love Zelle® for the same reason you do — it's fast. Here are the patterns we see most often:
- "Your account has fraud on it." Someone calls or texts claiming to be from MEFCU (or another bank), saying there's suspicious activity and you need to move your money to a "safe account" by Zelle®. We will never ask you to do this. Hang up and call us directly using the number on the back of your card.
- Fake bills from the IRS, a toll agency, or a utility company. NJ residents in particular are getting hit with fake E-ZPass texts demanding immediate payment. Real agencies don't threaten you into paying by Zelle®.
- The overpayment trick. Someone buying something from you "accidentally" sends too much and asks you to Zelle® back the difference. The original payment turns out to be fake — and now you're out the money you sent back.
- Online marketplace and rental scams. You send a deposit for an apartment, concert tickets, or a car that doesn't exist. Zelle® has no purchase protection, so that money isn't coming back.
- Romance scams. An online relationship, then a sudden "emergency" that requires money right away.
- "Wrong" payments. Someone sends you money "by accident" and urgently asks you to send it back. If their original payment was fraudulent, you lose your own money when it's reversed.
The Red Flag That Ties Them All Together
Urgency. Every one of these scams tries to get you to act now, before you have time to think it through or call us to check. If someone is pressuring you to move money quickly to "protect" it, stop.
If Something Feels Off
Slow down. Stop. Call us.
Before you send a Zelle® payment to anyone you don't know personally, or if anything about a request feels rushed or strange, call MEFCU directly at 732-484-4811 and talk to a real person before you hit send.
To access Zelle®, visit online or mobile banking. Enrollment is required and deactivation of a previously used mobile number or email address OR using a different mobile number or email address may be required depending upon your individual Zelle® accounts. Please note: Zelle® transactions will be possible once your account has been enrolled for a full 24 hours. Prior to that 24 hour window ending, transactions will be denied.
