Evite errores costosos con sus apps para pagar con el móvil

There was a time when we used to dig deep into our pockets to pay for gifts, tickets, or group meals. And there was always someone who would start skimming coins… Today, all of that seems a thing of the past, thanks in large part to peer-to-peer mobile payment apps like Bizum, Twyp, or PayPal. Now, with a simple click on an app, you can transfer your share of the meal to a friend before you even leave the restaurant table. But as convenient as they are, peer-to-peer mobile payment apps could cost you a couple of euros or even more if you’re not careful about fraud. The good news is that protecting yourself is easy.

Chances are you already have one of these apps on your phone. If so, you’re part of the majority. An estimated 70% of US adults use these types of mobile payment apps . And chances are you have more than one. Only 25% of Americans use a single payment app.

However, each of these apps comes with its own associated policies and coverage. This means that if you’re ever charged incorrectly, it may not be as easy to recover your money.

Siete consejos rápidos para usar aplicaciones móviles de pagos entre particulares de manera segura

That’s why we want to give you seven quick tips for using peer-to-peer mobile payment apps safely.

1. Strengthen your protection with a PIN, your fingerprint or your face.

In addition to protecting your account with a strong password, go to your settings and configure your app to use a PIN, fingerprint, or face ID (and be sure to lock your phone the same way). This provides an extra layer of protection in case your phone is lost or stolen and someone other than you tries to make a payment with it.

2. Before paying, please run a test or request an application.

Is there anything worse than sending money to the wrong person? When you’re going to pay a friend for the first time, ask them to create a payment request. This way, you’ll be sure you’re sending money to the right person. Since you have the freedom to create account names however you want, a small typing error can end up with a donation to a perfect stranger. To top it all off, that money could be gone forever.

Another option is to make a test payment. Sending a small amount to that new account lets both parties know the information is correct and that a full payment can be made with complete confidence.

3. With mobile payment apps, it is not always possible to hold or suspend a payment.

It’s always hard to say goodbye to our money. And, unlike other forms of payment, new mobile payment apps don’t offer options to dispute a charge, cancel a payment, or use any kind of recovery feature. If anything, this reinforces the previous point: make sure you’re paying the right person.

4. Whenever possible, use your app with a credit card.

Credit cards offer a couple of obvious advantages over debit cards when used with mobile payment apps (and also for online purchases). Simply put, they can better protect you against fraud:

• Debit cards withdraw cash from your account at the same time the payment is made, while credit card payments appear as charges, which can be disputed in the event of fraud.
• In the United States, if your credit card is lost or stolen and you report the loss immediately, you are not held responsible for subsequent charges. And if someone has managed to make any charges before the report is made, your liability as the cardholder is limited to $50. Debit cards do not have this type of coverage.

5. Fraudulent charge? Lost or stolen card? Report it immediately.

Report any such activity to your financial institution immediately. Time is of the essence to limit both your liabilities and your losses. For more information, see this article from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which describes what to do if your debit or credit card is stolen and what your responsibilities are.

Also keep in mind the following FTC tips regarding payment apps:

“New mobile app payment methods may not offer these same coverages. This means it’s not always easy to recover your money if something goes wrong. Make sure you know the coverage and guarantees your payment service provider offers.”

6. Beware of cybercriminals who exploit mobile payment apps.

It’s sad but true. Criminals are creating all kinds of scams based on these apps. One of the most popular involves creating fake charities or impersonating legitimate ones and soliciting donations via mobile phone. To avoid being scammed, check to see if the charity is legitimate. The FTC suggests consulting resources such as the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance ,  Charity Navigator ,  Charity Watch  , or  GuideStar .

The FTC also offers the following general recommendations:

• Review the app’s anti-fraud policies and see if and how you can recover funds if a problem arises.
• Be wary of any business that only accepts peer-to-peer payment apps or prepaid debit card payments. This is often a red flag.
• Don’t send peer-to-peer payments to someone you don’t know or accept payments from that person.
• Don’t use peer-to-peer payment apps to purchase goods or services. As mentioned above, you may not benefit from the buyer protection offered by a credit or debit card.

7. Protect your phone.

Since so much of your life is spent on your phone, installing security software can protect you and everything you store on it. Whether you have an Android or iOS device , mobile security solutions can strengthen the security of your data, purchases, and payments.

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