Zelle is a digital payment network in the U.S. that allows users to send and receive money directly between bank accounts, typically within minutes. This payment system is now widely accepted among users because of its bank-to-bank transfers that are easy, seamless, and go through with just a quick swipe.
However, if you've mistakenly or accidentally sent money through Zelle, well, it goes through and reaches the recipient within minutes, and cancelling this type of transfer can be really, really tricky because certain conditions must be met before a successful refund.
Nevertheless, getting your money back shouldn't be a problem if you stick to reading this article to the very end. I will teach you how to cancel a Zelle payment, even if it's already been claimed by the recipient. Meanwhile, a bonus tip will be added at the end of the post, so read to the end.
Can a Zelle Payment Be Cancelled or Refunded?
The answer relies on certain conditions. To cancel or modify a Zelle payment, the transaction must still be in pending status. If you don’t see the option to cancel or modify, the payment is already processing and can no longer be changed. To be more precise, cancelling a Zelle payment can only be possible when the transaction is still in pending mode.
Another tip that works is that when the recipient you sent money to hasn't signed up on Zelle, you should see the "Cancel Payment" button on the Zelle mobile app or its online banking. Once the cancel payment button appears, tap on it to reclaim the funds. Nevertheless, the bonus tip I promised will be discussed at the bottom of this article.
How to Cancel a Zelle Payment on Bank of America (BoA)
Zelle payments made through Bank of America cannot be canceled once sent, according to Zelle, because the money is received by the recipient almost immediately. If you sent money to the wrong person or for the wrong amount, you'll need to contact the recipient and request that they send the money back to you.
Bank of America advises treating Zelle payments like cash, as they are generally not reversible. However, if the payment is still in pending mode, quickly follow these steps to cancel the payment immediately and get a refund:
- Go to the "Activity" section in the BoA mobile app.
- Navigate through the list of transactions and select the Zelle payment in question.
- If the payment is still in pending mode, then you'll see the "Cancel Payment" option. Click on it to cancel your Zelle payment.
Once again, it's important to note that you can only cancel a Zelle payment if the recipient hasn’t enrolled yet. To check, go to your Activity page, select the payment, and tap “Cancel This Payment.” If they’re already enrolled, the money is sent instantly and can’t be canceled—so always double-check the email or U.S. mobile number and only send money to people you trust.
Final Note
While you cannot directly get a refund for money sent through Zelle to another Zelle user, whether through Bank of America, Chase, or other U.S. banks or digital banks, you can try contacting your bank to report the transaction—especially if you believe it was made in error or as part of a scam. In some cases, the bank may be able to assist or initiate a dispute, but recovery is not guaranteed. This is why it's crucial to double-check recipient details and only send money to people you trust.
