One of the great things about today’s money transfer services is you have the option to either visit a local agent to send money electronically, or you can do it online from home. Money can be sent very quickly, especially if you use a debit card or even a direct bank account ACH withdrawal. Sending online can make life easier for both you and your recipient since you don’t have to worry about a money order getting delayed or lost in the mail. But since you are sending it online, there are four safety tips you should follow.
1. Only Send Money To People You Know
This might seem like common knowledge, but in today’s world where many social connections can be made online, this advice is always worth repeating. There are always situations where you may need to send money to a family member who might be stationed in the military overseas, or even where you want to send it long-distance domestically as a gift to a friend. But no matter what the case, it should only be to someone you know very well and can trust should any issues arise with sending your money. You need to make sure you’re comfortable with the way that they want to receive their funds whether it’s directly to their bank or as a cash pickup. A cash pickup option usually requires the recipient to bring a photo ID to confirm who they are.
2. Make Sure You Keep Records Of All Parts Of Your Transaction
While online transactions can be easier to keep track of than in-person transactions, since you don’t have to worry about losing paper receipts, it’s still a good idea to take down as much information about your transaction as possible. Even writing numbers down or printing pages for your records can be important, because if there is a problem or if you have to cancel the transaction, you will need those numbers. You should also keep track of emails and records of contact with both your recipient and money transfer customer service.
3. Only Send Money Over A Trusted Network Or VPN
One of the most important parts of transferring money online is making sure you only do it over a home or business network that’s secured, and using a VPN connection for an extra secure measure is highly recommended. Open networks such as the ones you usually find at your local library, airport or coffee shop are easy for someone to snoop and see the information you’re typing, and since sending money online usually involves the use of your bank or cards, you don’t want people seeing it. It’s best to only send money through your home or business internet over a secure connection, and it’s good to subscribe to a VPN service to make sure you are completely encrypted. There’s a lot of information out there on various search engines if you want to know how to send money online using a VPN.
4. Only Use An App Or Website From A Trusted Source
Many money transfer services have apps with features for mobile users to use anywhere they’re located, but anyone who uses them should make sure they only use apps downloaded from trusted sources. Make sure the app has a verified publisher signature on it and is not being downloaded onto your device from a third party location. Likewise, you should always make sure when you visit the money transfer service website that you are on the official website and on a secure server. It helps to run a security check on the website to make sure the certificate is authentic.
The bottom line is sending money online is usually not difficult, but you do always need to be on the lookout for protecting your data to make sure your transfer isn’t intercepted or your financial information comprised. It’s also a good idea to learn how to send money by going with a transfer service company that offers video tutorials or has a live support service line you can call if you need assistance. It’s also a good idea to check your bank or prepaid debit card provider’s policies for transfer amounts to make sure you can conduct transfers within their guidelines.
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Founder Dinis Guarda
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