It’s easy, it’s fast and eliminates the need to carry cash.

Using mobile payment apps like CashApp, Venmo, PayPal, Apple Pay, Zelle, WorldRemit or Square can be a convenient way to get quick cash to your family and friends. But remember the first rule of sending money, whether you’re using an app or money wiring service: Be sure you know who’s on the receiving end.

If you use the service to receive money from someone you don’t know personally, maybe as payment for tickets to a concert or a game, or for an item you’re selling, transfer the money to your bank account and make sure the money is there before you send any goods. Read the terms of service if you’re not sure if these kinds of transactions are permitted on the service you use.

Compare the apps, some charge a fee to transfer money from your bank account or credit card. Some charge a fee to transfer funds instantly to your bank account. Some require that you have a smartphone. Some take 3-5 days to transfer funds.

It’s also important to know that no fraud protections exist on P2P apps. Once you press send, it's virtually impossible to get your money back. Criminals often persuade victims to send money by pretending to be someone they're not.

In one common scam involving Zelle — a bank-to-bank transfer app — scammers pose as your bank and tell you there’s a problem with your account. To “protect” your account, the scammer tells you step-by-step instructions to transfer money from your bank account into a new account in your name. But that new account really belongs to the scammer, so after you make the transfer, your money will be gone.

Peer-to-peer payment systems require access to your financial information; check your account settings to see if you can enable additional security measures that aren’t on by default.

Some systems or apps might share information about your transactions on social media. Check social media permissions or settings—some may be set to share your information with everyone by default. Adjust your settings based on what you’re comfortable sharing, turning on multi-factor authentication, requiring a PIN, or using fingerprint recognition like Touch ID.

Here are a few tips to help you avoid losing money on Peer-to-Peer cash apps:

If you get a cash request from someone you do recognize, call or contact them using a number you know to be accurate. Confirm they made the request before you send money – even if you’ve sent them money through the app before.

When you use an app for the first time, it will usually ask permission to access information on your device – like your contacts – to make payments easier. If you’re not comfortable with that, deny access or uninstall the app.

Read your bank statements closely and regularly. Ask the app company and your bank to reverse any transactions you didn’t authorize.

Don’t send a payment to claim a prize or collect sweepstakes winnings.

Don’t give your account credentials to anyone that contacts you.

If you get an unexpected request for money from someone you do recognize, speak with them to make sure the request really is from them — and not a hacker who got access to their account.

Criminals use every chance they get to take our money from us, so let’s stay one step ahead of them and protect ourselves from scammers and fraudsters!

And as always, pass it on to friends and family!

This article was written by Catherine Blinder, chief education and outreach officer of the Department of Consumer Protection of the State of Connecticut. To learn more about how the Department of Consumer Protection can help, visit us at www.ct.gov/dcp.