Zelle® and Consumer Action Launch Multi-City Financial Education Initiative to Empower Underserved Communities

Zelle Consumer Action Multi-City initiative launched in New York, bringing financial literacy workshops and scam prevention training to local communities. This financial education effort brings together Zelle and Consumer Action to fight rising fraud and give participants more power through programs led by experts.

“Financial education is foundational to economic empowerment,” said Denise Leonhard, general manager of Zelle. “This effort between Zelle and Consumer Action brings together financial education experts, local leaders, and community members to have real conversations about fraud and identity theft. It’s part of our broader commitment at Zelle to ensure that all Americans can spot and avoid fraud and scams.”

The multi-city effort kicked off with an inaugural “train-the-trainer” event in New York City on July 22, aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of how fraud and scams are evolving.

“Empowering consumers with scam and fraud prevention education is essential in today’s digital world, where deception is more sophisticated than ever,” said Anna Flores, executive director at Consumer Action. “Knowledge is the first line of defense, helping individuals protect their finances, personal information, and peace of mind. We are delighted to partner with Zelle to bring this scam and fraud prevention program to communities across the country.”

The New York event featured:

• An interactive workshop on how to prevent fraud and scams and financial education
• A presentation from the Federal Trade Commission
• Opportunities for participants to ask questions and share experiences

Additional workshops will take place in Los Angeles on September 25 and Phoenix on November 6. Zelle and Consumer Action will work closely with local organizations to tailor each event to the unique needs of its community.

Through the Zelle Consumer Action Multi-City effort, both partners aim to empower communities with the tools to recognize and prevent scams.