How can I receive zelle payment without the app?

March 1, 2023 4:34 AM

TD Bank has zelle I have TD bank account

Not long ago I opened a TD bank account a little while back. I was asked if I would be using zelle when I opened the account and I said yes. But I can't download apps onto my phone, but a friend wants to pay me several hundreds of dollars via zelle.

I'm told that I don't need the zelle app to receive or make zelle payments. That it can be done via the bank's website instead. That the person paying can just pay you via zelle and it'll show up in your TD bank account. He has the app. He typed my name into his app and I didn't show up for him.

If it's true that he can pay me through his zelle app, then how? Do I give him my bank account number? My debit card number? All I find on line is stuff telling me that zelle CAN be done this way, but no info on HOW.

posted by fantasticness to Work & Money (10 answers total)

You probably have to register for Zelle, but you should be able to do it through the TD app.
posted by chesty_a_arthur at 4:37 AM on March 1, 2023 [1 favorite]

You should be able to activate Zelle on the TD website with either your phone number or email address. With my bank it is in the same section as bill pays and transfers. Then have your friend search for the email or number. If your friend knows which one they signed up with, you might be able to send them a request so they know they have the right person.
posted by soelo at 4:46 AM on March 1, 2023 [3 favorites]

I have PNC but can use Zelle through the website. It's in my Transfer Funds section so if you have something like that it should walk you through what you need to do. Mine says: With just an email address, U.S. mobile phone number, or Zelle® QR Code, you can quickly send and receive money with people you know and trust.
posted by jabes at 6:46 AM on March 1, 2023

soelo has it right.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 6:50 AM on March 1, 2023

According to this page, if you log into your TD account online you'll find "Send money with Zelle" under "Transfers". Even though you're planning to receive money, not to send it, that's apparently where you'll go to set up your Zelle info by associating a phone number and/or email address with your TD Zelle account TD. (If that help page is outdated and it's not under "Transfers", just look around at all the menus and sections until you find an option to set up or review your Zelle info.)

Then, like soelo said, you just need to let your friend know the phone number or address you used in the previous step.

Definitely do not ever give people your debit card number. Also, if you're planning on keeping Zelle enabled in the future, read up a bit on Zelle scams just so you know what that looks like.
posted by trig at 7:12 AM on March 1, 2023 [1 favorite]

With my credit union, you have to use the Zelle function with the credit union's app, not on the credit union's website. It's a little annoying because I prefer using the website but there you go.
posted by BlahLaLa at 8:32 AM on March 1, 2023

You won't be able to use Zelle as a stand alone app (unlike PayPal or Venmo) because Zelle is the banks' answer to PayPal. (Zelle was developed by the three biggest banks to compete with PayPayl.) If you try to use Zelle as a stand alone app, the app makes you search for your bank when setting it up and if your bank or credit union is on Zelle's list, then you've got to go through your bank/credit union's app or web site to use Zelle.

(Zelle has a stand alone app but their list of banks and credit union seems comprehensive.)

+1 for the rec about keeping your debit card (and other bank account numbers) confidential. If you receive a zelle/paypal/venmo payment request, it comes to your email or text message and then you set up a zelle/paypal/venmo account if you haven't set up an account already. The friend keeps your name and phone/email in his payee list. Zelle via your bank alerts you on subsequent incoming payments. There are scams out there with respect to Zelle, PayPal and Venmo so be suspicious of unsuspected incoming payment and payee requests.
posted by dlwr300 at 9:59 AM on March 1, 2023

I think the first time I received money with zelle, I got an email from zelle telling me that someone wanted to send me money and I should set up a zelle account that links my email to my bank account iike this. After that first time, any time someone sends money via zelle to my email it automatically shows up in the associated account. I don't have to do anything at all on my side. (And I actually use two different emails to route money to and from two different accounts.)
posted by metahawk at 5:17 PM on March 1, 2023

You should be able to access your online banking through a browser, where you will access the area dealing with Zelle under money transfers. You may have to enable that due to security measures. Once you've linked your phone number to the bank account then they should be able to send it to your phone number (which is linked to your account, etc. etc.)
posted by kschang at 5:23 AM on March 2, 2023

Some banks that offer Zelle do not allow you to use it through their website, only their app (not the Zelle app).

After you register for it through your bank, when your friend puts in your information, it will prompt them "This account belongs to NAME, are you sure this is right?" Basically as the least possible thing they could do to prevent fraud without actively doing nothing. Then they can send you money, and from your end you can also add them as a contact to send money to them.
posted by tubedogg at 4:01 PM on March 2, 2023