How to Get Money via Zelle Without a Bank Account: 2 Methods

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Learn how to get money from a Zelle transaction without a debit card

Co-authored by Hannah Dillon

Last Updated: May 3, 2024 Fact Checked

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• Using a Prepaid Debit Card
|
• Getting Help from Someone Else

|Show more |Show less

Are you trying to receive money from Zelle, but you don't have a bank account? Zelle is used to transfer money instantly between bank accounts, but you may be able to work around this using a prepaid debit card. If a prepaid debit card doesn't work, you can also try asking a friend or family member for help with the transfer.

Getting Money on Zelle without a Bank Account

Zelle requires a bank account to send and receive money, but you may be able to sign up with select prepaid Visa or Mastercard debit cards. Unfortunately, not all prepaid debit cards will work with Zelle, but you'll have the best luck with cards that requires a phone number, billing address, and email address.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using a Prepaid Debit Card

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1. 1
   Obtain a prepaid debit card. Some prepaid debit cards work with Zelle, but not all of them. To maximize your chances of your debit card working with Zelle, get a prepaid debit card in the Visa or Mastercard network.

   • Also make sure to get a debit card that associates your phone number or email address with the card. As Zelle uses your phone number and/or email address to identify you, having one of these identifiers connected to your card is important.
   • As you will also need to provide a billing address, get a prepaid debit card that asks for this information as well.
2. 2
   Download the Zelle app. You can get the Zelle app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
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3. 3
   Open the Zelle app. Tap the Get Started button to continue with setting up your account.
4. 4
   Enter the email address or phone number associated with your debit card. This will be how other users can find you to send money, as Zelle doesn't have typical usernames.
5. 5
   Tap the Don't see your bank? button. On the "Find your bank" screen, several banks will be listed. To proceed with a prepaid debit card, select the Don't see your bank? button.
6. 6
   Enter your debit card details. You'll need to enter your debit card number, your first and last name, your card's expiration date, and the card's security code.

   • Tap Continue to move to the next screen.
7. 7
   Enter the address connected to your debit card. If your prepaid debit card didn't ask for your address while signing up, check with your debit card provider to see if you can add one.
8. 8
   Finish creating your account. Note that this method may not work for every prepaid debit card. Unfortunately, Zelle's FAQ is unclear about whether prepaid debit cards are accepted, so your results may vary.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Getting Help from Someone Else

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1. 1
   Find a friend or family member who can help you. If you don't have a bank account but need to do a money transfer via Zelle, you can ask a friend or family member with a bank account to help you. Make sure to ask someone you trust.
2. 2
   Ask if your friend or family member has Zelle. If your friend or family member already uses Zelle, you can move to the next step. Otherwise, explain what Zelle is to your friend or family member and work together to see if they are eligible to use Zelle.

   • Remember, if your friend or family member's bank doesn't have Zelle support in their bank app, you can try signing up via the Zelle app and selecting Don't see your bank? to enter the card details manually.
3. 3
   Explain what the money transfer is for. This is important if you're a kid or teen asking your parents for help with the transfer. Your friend or family member may want more information about who the transfer is coming from.
4. 4
   Complete the transfer. Provide your friend or family member's phone number or email (with their consent) to the person sending you money. The transfer should be completed immediately unless the money is sent late at night or over a weekend or holiday.
5. 5
   Get the money from your friend or family member. Once your friend or family member has the money in their account, you can get it from them in a few ways:

   • They can withdraw cash from their bank or an ATM and give it to you
   • They can write you a check for the amount of the transfer
   • They can use an alternative peer-to-peer money transfer app, like Venmo or Cash App, to send you the money.
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