Chase To Block Zelle Payments Originating From Social Media Contacts Starting March 23

Chase will block Zelle payments to social media contacts and marketplaces starting March 23, 2025. According to the bank, this change is being made to protect customers from fraud.

Specifically, Chase customers will be prohibited from paying for purchases that originate from “contact through social media” with Zelle, including purchases made through social media marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace.

Here’s how this change could affect you if you have a Chase bank account and use Zelle.

Zelle Payments to Social Media Marketplaces Will Be Blocked

Starting March 23, 2025, Chase will prohibit its customers from sending Zelle payments to “recipients originating from social media such as social media marketplaces or messaging apps.” This includes popular marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, where customers can sell items to other users.

For background, Zelle is one of the largest peer-to-peer payment platforms in the U.S., with over 150 million users. Zelle processed over $1 trillion in transactions in 2024, up 25% from the year prior. The platform integrates directly with checking accounts offered by most major U.S. banks, including Chase.

Chase announced this change in a message to customers on their monthly statements. In this message, the bank noted that it can take the following action when a customer sends a Zelle payment:

• Request details about your payment’s purpose and how you made contact with the recipient
• Block or decline payments identified as originating from contact through social media
• Decline payments, restrict your use of Zelle through Chase, or take other actions as described in your account agreement if you do not respond truthfully to questions asked

As mentioned, Chase is making this change due “to the significant rise in social media scams.” And this makes sense. Unlike credit or debit cards, which often let you dispute a transaction, Zelle payments are considered final. So once the funds are gone from a customer’s bank account, they’re likely gone forever.

That said, it’s unclear how Chase will identify which payments originate from social media or social media marketplaces. Regardless, if you’re a Chase customer, it’s best to stay compliant with your account’s policies and only use Zelle to send funds to people you know.

Final Thoughts

Starting March 23, 2025, Chase will prohibit its customers from using Zelle to send payments identified as originating from “contact through social media.” This includes purchases on Facebook Marketplace. While this change only affects Chase customers for now, we may see other banks follow suit as financial fraud rises.