Vermeiden Sie teure Fehler bei Ihren Mobile Payment-Apps

It used to be common for roommates to pay their share of the rent by writing a check. But who owns a checkbook these days? Those days seem like a lifetime ago, thanks in large part to mobile payment apps like Venmo, Zelle, or Cash App, which operate on a peer-to-peer (P2P) principle. With a simple tap in the app, you can now transfer money for brunch to a friend—even while you’re sitting at the table. But despite their advantages, P2P mobile payment apps can cost you a lot if you’re not on the lookout for things like fraud. The good news: There are some straightforward ways to protect yourself.

You probably already have one of these apps installed on your phone. If so, you’re in the majority: Estimates suggest that 70% of U.S. adults use mobile payment apps . Chances are, you have several. Only 25% of U.S. adults use a single payment app.

However, different apps have different policies and protections, so if you make an incorrect charge, it may not always be easy to get your money back.

Tipps zur sicheren Nutzung mobiler P2P-Zahlungs-Apps

1. Add an extra layer of protection with your face, fingerprint or PIN.

In addition to a strong password for your account, it’s also important to set up additional authentication with a PIN, facial recognition, or fingerprint in the app settings. (And make sure you lock your phone the same way.) This provides additional protection in case your phone is stolen or lost and someone unauthorized attempts to make a payment using the app.

2. Ask for a payment request or do a test before transferring the full amount.

Is there anything worse than sending money to the wrong person? If you’re sending a payment to a friend for the first time, have them create a payment request for you beforehand. This way, you can be sure your money is going to the right person. Since there are no restrictions on account naming, a small typo could result in a donation to a complete stranger. And that money could be gone forever!

Another option is a test payment. By transferring a small amount to the new account, both parties know that everything is working and a full payment can be made without worry.

3. With mobile payment apps, you cannot always issue a “payment stop.”

Goodbye forever! Unlike some other payment methods, the new mobile payment apps don’t offer the option to dispute a charge, cancel a payment, or otherwise refund money. This further emphasizes the importance of the previous point: Make sure you’re actually sending the payment to the right person.

4. If possible, use a credit card for the app.

Credit cards offer some clear advantages over debit cards when used in mobile payment apps (and, of course, for online shopping). This is because they can better protect you against fraud:

• With debit cards, your account is debited immediately, while credit card payments are debited later – and can be disputed in the event of fraud.
• In the US, you can report a lost or stolen credit card and then you’re no longer responsible for charges you didn’t initiate. Additionally, you’re liable for $50 for each lost or stolen card. Debit cards don’t enjoy the same protection.

5. Fraudulent charges… Your card has been stolen or gone missing? Report it immediately.

Report any suspicious activity to your financial institution immediately. This is important to do quickly—after all, it’s about limiting your liabilities and losses. For more information, read this article from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to learn exactly what to do if your debit or credit card is stolen and what your liability is.

Please also note the following FTC guidance on mobile payment apps:

“New mobile apps and payment methods may not offer the same level of protection as you’re used to. This means it may not always be easy to get your money back if you’ve been charged incorrectly. Make sure you know the protections and warranties your payment service provider offers with its service.”

6. Beware of cybercriminals who make money with mobile payment apps.

Sad but true: Scammers are devising all kinds of scams that involve mobile payment apps. One popular method is to create fake charities or pretend to be well-known organizations and then solicit donations via a mobile app. To avoid being scammed, check to see if the organization is reputable. The FTC recommends resources like the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance ,  Charity Navigator ,  Charity Watch  , or  GuideStar .

In general, the FTC also recommends the following to protect yourself from fraud:

• Check the app’s fraud protection policies to find out if and how you can get a refund if there’s a problem.
• Be wary of stores that only accept payment via P2P apps or prepaid debit cards. This is a clear warning sign.
• Never send P2P payments to someone you don’t know, and don’t accept payments from strangers.
• Don’t use P2P apps to pay for goods or services. As mentioned above, you may not have the consumer protection that a credit or debit card can provide.

7. Protect your phone.

Given the amount of things you do with your phone, installing security software is crucial to keeping you and all the data stored on your device safe. Whether for Android or iOS , having the right app can help keep your data, purchases, and payments secure.

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