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How to send money to Facebook friends

Facebook Pay may not exist in Australia yet, but there are plenty of ways to pay your friends back.

Sam Baran
Sam Baran

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Facebook has introduced a method of transferring money known as Facebook Pay in several countries, but not yet in Australia. Luckily, there are several easy alternatives already in place for you to use with your friends.

Can I get Facebook Pay in Australia?

Facebook Pay is a service introduced by Facebook to allow people to instantly transfer money to their friends or pay for items. It's accessible via Facebook, Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp in some countries, but is not currently available in Australia.

There has been speculation about when Facebook Pay may be unveiled in Australia, especially after Facebook got an Australian patent for peer-to-peer Messenger payments in 2017. But for now, there is no set release date or confirmation that it will be released.
facebook payment transfer process

What other ways can you pay Facebook friends?

Fortunately, if you need to pay back a friend or split a bill, there are several other convenient payment methods available for Australians. These include:

  • Osko/PayID. This is one of the best options in Australia. Using someone's BSB, account number and name, you can transfer funds instantly from your bank account to theirs. If they've registered a mobile number or email to their account, you can transfer with just that information.
  • PayPal. PayPal is a secure transaction service that allows you to pay someone with only the email or phone number associated with their account. You can link a credit or debit card or use funds from your PayPal wallet.
  • Beem It. Beem It is a free payment app owned by three of the Big Four banks. It lets you send, receive and request money from other users, with the money appearing in your account in seconds. Beem It uses usernames for transaction purposes.

How do you pay someone on Facebook Marketplace?

young people with gadgets lined up

Facebook Marketplace doesn't actually have an inbuilt payment system in Australia, unlike some other countries. This makes it a somewhat risky proposition. Facebook recommends that you arrange a payment in cash or by bank transfer to pay for a Facebook Marketplace item, but you must arrange it yourself with the seller.

It's worth noting that Facebook's payment protection policies don't apply in Australia, and there's no money-back guarantee if you get scammed, unlike other marketplace sites such as eBay.

Tips to keep your financial details safe on Facebook

Keeping your financial details safe on Facebook is much the same as with any other online platform. Here are a few general tips:

  • Use a strong password. Using a strong password can help prevent people from hacking into your account. Keep your password safe and don't share it.
  • Keep an eye out for scammers. Be wary of anyone asking you for money or your personal details over Facebook. Check with the person who's supposedly asking through other channels before even considering such a request, and never share your details over Facebook.
  • Add extra security. With both Facebook Pay and other payment methods, you can often add an extra bit of security by attaching a PIN or a biometric check (like a fingerprint) to your account. This will prevent other people from making transactions using your account.

How does Facebook Pay work overseas?

Using Facebook Pay in a country where it is supported is fairly simple.

  1. Go to "Settings" → "Facebook Pay" on the website or app.
  2. Add a payment method, like a debit card or PayPal account.
  3. The next time you make a payment, use Facebook Pay.

If Facebook Pay is available in other apps like WhatsApp or Instagram, you can set it up separately in those apps. In Messenger, you can send or request money from a friend by hitting the "$" sign on the bar along the bottom. Then, you can enter in a dollar amount and confirm it.

Pictures: Shutterstock and Facebook

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