How to Send and Receive Money With Cash App

Pros and Cons of Sending Funds (or Getting Paid) With Cash App

It's as easy as taking your phone out
Photo: PeopleImages / Getty Images

It seems like it should be easy to send cash electronically, but until now that hasn’t been the case. Cash App, for better or worse, can make the process as simple as sending an email or typing your card number into a simple web page.

Pros: It's free for consumers and very easy to use.

Cons: It's almost too easy to use—although you don’t hear many reports of fraud—with very limited options for international availability.

How Cash App Works

Cash App (formerly known as Square Cash) is easy to use. Just follow the prompts, which ask you to enter a dollar amount and basic contact information of the person you're sending to or requesting from. You can use phone numbers, email addresses, or $Cashtags (branded usernames specific to the Cash App platform).

To use the mobile Cash App platform, simply open the app, enter your dollar amount, and click "Request" or "Pay." Enter the recipient's email address, phone number, or $Cashtag. You can leave a brief note detailing what the payment is for. Then, click "Pay" or "Request" again to confirm.

Funds come from your checking account via your debit card, and payment goes to the recipient’s debit card or checking account, typically in one to five business days.

You can also use Cash App from any secure web browser. Much like the app, you'll simply log in, click "New," and then enter the details of the person you're paying or requesting money from.

The Appeal of Cash App

There are a number of P2P payment services out there, so what makes Cash App appealing to its users? It’s currently one of the simplest and least expensive ways to make payments:

  • There are minimal fees to use Cash App unless you send money with a linked credit card (3% fee) or request an instant deposit (1.5% fee)
  • The app and web platform are user friendly and simple to follow
  • There’s no need to install any special software, nor do you need to link it to social networks
  • You just provide your debit card number, which is probably available in your pocket—no need to dig up bank account numbers and routing numbers if you don't want to

Business Use

Cash App started out as Square Cash, a P2P service, but businesses can also now use the service using Cash for Business. The cost to receive payments through a business account is 2.75%.

If you want to give your customers one more way to pay, Cash App might do the trick. They can use their own device, or type in their card number on a device you provide (assuming they trust you) to complete payment. No cash, checks, or change required.

Note

Personal accounts are monitored for heavy or unusual activity. Some customers report having their personal account converted to a business account if the company suspects you’re conducting business.

Potential Pitfalls

Cash App’s simplicity is great, but it comes at a cost. Be aware of the following issues so that your experience with the service is as smooth as possible (or maybe you’ll decide to use a different service):

Email Security

Any email sent from your address (or that appears to have come from your address—hackers can trick email systems) will pull funds from your checking account. It’s essential to password protect any device with access to your email accounts, keep your virus protection up to date, and keep an eye out for strange transactions in your bank account.

Note

It's also a good idea to set Cash App to ask for the three-digit security code from the back of your card for every payment.

Availability

Cash App is available within the United States and the United Kingdom, but other international payments are not allowed. In addition, you’ll need a “real” debit card (MasterCard, Visa, American Express, or Discover) that is linked to a checking account; prepaid debit cards and ATM cards won’t work.

Customer Service

The service is designed to run with minimal human involvement, and some customers have had a hard time getting answers when they encounter the occasional (but inevitable) hiccup.

Limits

Cash App allows you to send and receive up to $1,000 per week within any 30-day period. If you want to go above those limits, you must verify your identity by providing your full name, date of birth, and the last 4 digits of your Social Security number.

One Card Per Email

You can only link one debit card to your email address. Of course, you might have multiple email addresses, so it’s not too hard to use different debit cards for different payments. If you want to change the card linked to your email address, you can create an account and make changes online.

Customer Service Options

Cash App offers a pretty bare-bones service, but it does what people need, and does it well. If you have any problems, there are a few ways to solve them.

Contact Support

There are three ways to contact Cash App's customer support team. You can send a detailed email message through the app or web platform, reach customer service by phone at 1 (800) 969-1940, or send physical mail to:

Cash App
1455 Market Street Suite 600
San Francisco, CA 94103

Mistakes Making Payments

Cash App notes that payments sent to other Cash App users are instant and usually cannot be canceled. If you made a mistake, you can ask the recipient to refund your money by tapping on the payment in question and selecting "Refund."

Dispute Payments

If any unauthorized charges appear in your bank account, contact your bank immediately to get full protection under federal law. It’s also a good idea to let Cash App know that you’re disputing the charge.

Keep Track

To keep tabs on any Cash App activity, you can sign up for text message alerts. To do this, you’ll need to create an account and turn on text alerts.

Use a Bank Account

If you prefer to use a bank account instead of a debit card, you can do so. However, you can only receive payments; you'll need a debit card to send payments.

Alternatives to Cash App

Of course, Cash App isn't the only way to send money. Alternative P2P payment options include PayPal, Popmoney, Google Pay, and several other inexpensive ways to send funds.

Venmo is one of the most popular P2P payment methods, but that popularity has attracted scammers.

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Sources
The Balance uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Cash App. "Sending a Payment."

  2. Cash App. "Missing Direct Deposit."

  3. Cash App. "Cash Out Speed Options."

  4. Cash App. "International Payments."

  5. Cash App. "Supported Cards With Cash App."

  6. Cash App. "Increase Limits."

  7. Cash App. "Canceling a Payment."

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