How to Gift Money Digitally: The Safest Apps and Tips for 2025
- AnewVista Staff
- Dec 5, 2025
- 4 min read
If you joined us for our recent class on Online Payments & How to Give Money, you know that the days of writing checks for birthdays or holidays are fading fast. While physical checks are still an option, they come with risks—including theft and "check washing" scams.
Today, most of us are looking for the best way to gift money digitally. Whether you are sending a birthday gift to a grandchild or splitting a dinner bill, apps like Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are convenient tools. However, they require new habits to ensure your money stays safe.
Here is a guide to the safest ways to send money to friends and family, directly from the ANVCS team.
Choosing the Best Apps to Gift Money Digitally
Not all payment apps are created equal. Depending on who you are sending money to, one app might be safer or more convenient than another.
PayPal: The "Old Faithful" of Payments
PayPal is often considered the most versatile choice. It allows you to link your bank account, debit card, or credit card to send funds.
Best for: Buying goods or sending money securely to people you don't know well.
Pros: It is widely used for online shopping and offers purchase protections for eligible items.
Cons: Transfers to your bank can take 1-3 days unless you pay a fee for instant transfer.
Venmo: The Social Gifting Option
Venmo is a mobile app owned by PayPal that makes sending money feel like a social interaction. You can add notes, emojis, or GIFs to your payments.
Best for: Splitting bills, paying friends, and sending casual gifts.
Safety Tip: Venmo has a social feed where friends can see your transactions. We recommend checking your privacy settings to ensure strangers cannot see your payment history.
Zelle: Fast, but Requires Caution
Zelle is different because it is usually integrated directly into your existing banking app. It moves money directly from one bank account to another.
Best for: Sending money to trusted family members quickly.
Risk Warning: Is Zelle safe for seniors? It can be, but you must be careful. Zelle offers almost zero remedies if you make a mistake. Once the money is sent, it is gone. There is often finger-pointing between Zelle and banks if fraud occurs, making it difficult to get a refund.
Online Money Transfer Scams to Avoid
The convenience of these apps has also attracted scammers. To protect your finances, be on the lookout for these common digital payment scams:
Impersonation Scams: A scammer may pretend to be a family member in trouble or a bank representative trying to "fix" a fraud situation.
Fake Charities: Scammers will contact you asking for donations via Zelle or Venmo for a cause. Always verify the charity independently before sending money.
Overpayment Scams: You might "accidentally" receive a large amount of money. The sender will ask you to send it back. Once you do, they cancel the original transaction, and you lose your own money.
Safety Checklist: How to Verify Recipients and Secure Accounts
To ensure you are using the safest way to send money to friends, follow these essential safety practices discussed in our class:
Enable 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication): This adds a layer of safety by requiring a code from your phone or an authenticator app to log in. This ensures that even if someone gets your password, they cannot access your money.
Double-Check the Recipient: If available, always scan the recipient’s QR code to ensure you have the right person.
Send a Test Transaction: When sending a large gift, send a small amount (like $1) first to verify the correct person receives it before sending the rest.
Don't Keep a Balance: Most money sitting in apps like Venmo or Cash App is not FDIC insured. We recommend transferring large balances back to your insured bank account immediately.
Know Your Rights
If you do spot unauthorized charges, act quickly. Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, you have 60 days from the time you receive a credit card bill to dispute a fraudulent charge. For electronic fund transfers (like debit cards), your liability increases the longer you wait to report it.
Digital gifting is a wonderful tool when used correctly. By taking these simple precautions, you can enjoy the convenience without the worry.
Stay safe online!
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