How do I accept payment on Facebook?

(Pocket-lint) - Facebook Messenger has launched a new feature for UK users.

The feature, peer-to-peer payments, has been available to Messenger users in the US since 2015. It essentially allows you to send and receive money from Facebook friends - all via Messenger, and without having to exit a conversation thread. Here's how it works.

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What is Facebook Messenger payments?

Have you ever gone somewhere with a friend and been in the position of forgetting your wallet, leaving your friend to pay for your coffee, drink, meal, or whatever? Or maybe you've taken a cab with a friend and had to split the fare with cash. There are an endless number of situations you might find yourself in, where you need to quickly send money to a friend, or maybe even receive money from said friend.

You could use a peer-to-peer payments service to send that friend money, which is handy if you never have cash on you. In the US, popular services include Venmo, Square Cash, and Facebook Messenger. Yes, that's right, Messenger is a convenient and secure way to send and receive money, and now, it's come to the UK. Messenger has also added a falling animation of £££s for some fun, Facebook said.

This is the first time Messenger has extended payments since launching in the US. David Marcus, head of Messenger, said that, in the US, most people use payments in Messenger to send less than $50 at a time. It'll be interesting to see if the same happens in the UK.

How does Facebook Messenger payments work?

The Messenger payments system is simple to figure out. In a chat with a friend, press the blue + icon and select the payments option. On the first payment, you will need to enter your bank information (Visa and Mastercard are supported) and the amount to be paid (the largest payment can be up to £2,500, though there's a rolling 30-day limit of £10,000). The money is then transferred in up to three business days.

To send money:

1. Start a message with a friend
2. Tap the blue + icon and then tap the green Payments icon
3. Set up your payment account (only the first time)
4. Enter the amount you want to send
5. Tap Pay and then add your debit card
6. Watch the amount of money you sent rain down on the screen

To receive money:

1. Open the conversation from your friend
2. Tap Add Card in the message
3. Add your debit card and setup your account to accept money for the first time
4. The money sent is transferred right away (it may take one to three business days)

Note: If the friend hasn't set the system up, they'll be asked to enter their card details to get the payment.

Is Facebook Messenger payments free?

Yes. Facebook said it does not charge people to transfer money and does not directly handle the money itself.

Is Facebook Messenger payments secure?

Facebook said the system is encrypted. Also, a pin can be enabled to allow money to be sent.

When will Facebook Messenger payments be available?

It's already available in the US. It will roll out in the UK over the coming weeks.

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Anything else you should know?

To make it even easier to send and receive money, Facebook is also rolling out M suggestions for payments. M is Messenger's assistant, which you can read all about from here. It will recognise when you and a friend are discussing payments and gives an option to send money in those instances. For more information on how Facebook Messenger payments work, check out Facebook's help center here.

Writing by Elyse Betters.

Facebook Messenger isn’t just for chatting. You can also send money to (and request payments from) friends on the Facebook platform. If you spend a lot of time in Messenger, this may be a convenient option for sending and receiving money online.

How Facebook Messenger Payments Work

You can use Facebook Messenger on your desktop or make in-app payments from a mobile device. Making payments is a free process whether you send or receive money.

Note

One advantage of using Facebook Messenger to send and receive payments is that you can easily split the cost of something with several people. For example, if you plan a group outing on Facebook, members in a group discussion can repay somebody who organizes and pays a booking fee.

While payments feel easy and informal, there are several requirements to use Messenger for making transactions:

• You need to have an active Facebook account.
• You need to fund payments with a U.S. bank-issued Visa or MasterCard debit card, or with a PayPal account. Some prepaid cards may work, as well.
• You must be 18 or older to use the service.
• All parties involved must live in the U.S.

How To Send Money

Sending money with Facebook is almost as easy as sending a private message. Whether you choose to send through the Messenger app or through the Facebook website, these are the steps involved:

1. Start a private conversation in Messenger with the person you want to pay.
2. Tap the “+” icon for more actions.
3. Use the "$" icon to view the payment screen.
4. Enter the amount you want to send. 
5. Push the “Pay” button to send the money.

If you have never provided payment information to Facebook, you will see a "Next" button instead of the “Pay” button.

Your First Payment

To use Messenger payments for the first time, you need to provide funding information. It’s easy to submit this information as you go through the process of making a payment, but you can also add or change funding methods in Facebook’s settings.

To add a funding method, enter your debit card number or PayPal account information, along with any other required information. You also have the opportunity to set up a personal identification number (PIN), which can help prevent unauthorized payments. Choose a code that is hard to guess and that nobody else knows. If you want extra security, you can require a fingerprint match or facial recognition on some devices.

Note

Debit card payments pull money out of your checking account almost immediately. Make sure you have sufficient funds in your account to avoid overdraft charges, bounced checks, and other problems before you make a payment with Facebook Messenger.

How To Receive Money

When you receive a payment, Facebook sends the money to your linked debit card or PayPal account right away. That being said, it may take up to three business days for the money to appear in your bank account.

Provide Your Account Info

If you don't yet have a linked account, you need to provide card details or your PayPal account information to accept payments. After you do this once, any future payments go to the linked account.

If You Need Money Faster

If you need the funds to be available for spending immediately, Zelle might work as an alternative to Messenger payments. Funds move directly from one bank to another, so Zelle transfers are typically available within minutes. You might already have access to Zelle through your bank, and payments clear quickly when both your bank and the sender's bank work with Zelle.

Are Facebook Messenger Payments Safe?

Facebook claims that your money and your information are secure. Still, whenever money is involved, it’s smart to take steps to protect yourself from fraud and other problems.

Beware of Fraud

You can’t cancel Messenger payments, although recipients can voluntarily reject payments if you make a mistake. Plus, Facebook has limited consumer protection when you buy something through Messenger. Whenever you make a payment, it’s best to assume that the money is gone for good.

Note

Only pay people you know and trust with Facebook Messenger. Double-check to verify somebody’s identity (impostor accounts are always a possibility on Facebook), and look for signs of common money scams.

Account Security

To protect yourself, establish a PIN for Messenger payments (or use biometric security, if available on your device). Biometric features such as Touch ID and facial recognition are only available when using the Messenger app on certain devices. PINs and biometric security are optional, and it’s wise to take advantage of those security measures when you can.

Data Security

Facebook reports that your personal data and linked account information are encrypted, and the company employs anti-fraud technology to reduce the chances of theft. Facebook also stores your financial information separately from your basic profile data, which would ideally help if certain systems are breached.

Facebook originally developed Messenger payments with help from financial industry experts, so it’s reasonable to expect relatively robust security. Still, even robust systems can get hacked.

Privacy

Privacy is always a concern online. However, if you already share everything on Facebook and you’re not concerned about privacy, a bit of your financial information might not matter. 

Still, data can be mined and analyzed in surprising ways, so be mindful of how you send and receive money. For example, when you make a payment in Messenger, your name, profile photo, and payment amount are shared with your payee, and the transaction information resides on Facebook's servers.

Note

In group payment situations, all group members can see payment information. If that bothers you, it’s best to pay one-on-one.

Account Monitoring

Monitor your linked funding accounts (your checking account or your PayPal account, for example) in addition to your Facebook account. Sign up for automated alerts to stay informed about withdrawals from your bank account, and notify your bank immediately if you see transactions you don’t recognize.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much money can you send through Facebook?

Facebook doesn't advertise any payment limits for its Facebook Pay service. You should be able to send as much as you have available in your checking account.

Why can't I send someone money on Facebook?

If you're having problems sending money in Facebook, it could be an issue with your (or your friend's) connected bank or PayPal account. Payments will also fail if the recipient rejects the transaction or if you're trying to send money to someone in another country.

How much does Facebook Messenger charge to send money?

Facebook doesn't charge any fees to send or receive money through Messenger. The service is free to all users. Your bank may charge a fee, though.

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