Sending money to someone with a payment app is the same as handing over cash. If you give cash to the wrong person, you may or may not get it back.
If you simply accidentally send money to the wrong person, there is a good chance that neither the payment platform nor the bank will intervene. Your best bet is to (kindly) ask the recipient for a refund.
But if you become a victim of fraud, which is a growing problem on peer-to-peer (P2P) payment platforms, your bank may have to refund your money.
read more: Is it safe to store money in apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App?
Help: I sent money to the wrong person with Cash App
Cash App’s policy does not require you to stop or refund incorrect payments. Once the payment has been made (which usually happens immediately), your only recourse is to ask the recipient for a refund.
The correct way to make your request depends on how much time has passed since your payment. If you have 30 days, you can:
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Tap the Activities tab on the home screen
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Please select payment
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Tap “Done”
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Tap “Report a problem”
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Please select a reason
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Tap Next to complete your request
Help: I sent money to the wrong person with Zelle
With Zelle, you may have several different options for getting a refund for an incorrect payment.
Zelle itself only allows you to cancel payments if the recipient is not registered with Zelle. To cancel a payment, log into your bank account or Zelle app and click “Cancel this Payment.”
If that doesn’t work, ask the recipient for a refund or look into your bank’s protection. For example, US Bank customers can dispute a Zelle payment with their bank even after it’s accepted.
If you sent money to a scammer, you can also try contacting your bank or credit union’s fraud department. Depending on the details, your payment may be eligible for a refund.
Help: I sent money to the wrong person with Venmo
Venmo suggests different solutions depending on your payment details. Here’s what they recommend:
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About pending payments: in app[自分]Open the tab, find the transaction,[取り戻す]Tap.
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For friends/family: Submit a claim request for the same amount with an explanatory note.
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stranger: Contact Venmo’s support team for more information to see if Venmo can help.
Will I get a refund if I send money to the wrong person?
A 2023 case study by Consumer Reports found that erroneous payments are generally not recoverable unless the person receiving the money voluntarily sends it back.
Besides asking the recipient for a refund, the best way to get your money back is to cancel the payment before it’s completed. This can be difficult as some digital wallet apps send payments immediately.
However, if you have been scammed, meaning you voluntarily sent money but did not receive the amount you paid, you may have a legal right to a refund. If you sent money from a bank account, please contact your bank for assistance. If you wish to send money via a P2P platform, please contact the platform directly.
How to avoid sending money to the wrong person
If you send money to the wrong person, you may not get it back. That’s why it’s important to slow down, review your payment details, and double-check the information you’ve entered before hitting the send payment button.
To avoid sending money to the wrong person, take the following precautions every time you use a payment app:
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avoid strangers: Don’t send money to someone you’ve never met in person. This includes romantic partners, recruiters, and potential landlords with whom you only communicated remotely.
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Confirm contact information: Verify the recipient’s name and confirm that you can contact them using the contact information they provided.
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Please double check your details: Before sending, check the recipient’s name, phone number, or email address for typos.
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Confirm purchase: Never send a deposit or pay for a product or service before receiving it.
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slow down: Don’t send money just because someone says it’s urgent. Please take the time to review the details individually.
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Please note returns: Never send money to strangers who send you so-called overpayments or incorrect payments. Instead, contact the platform or bank directly.
