A friendly warning to my DU friends...don't use Facebook to send or receive money

[Miles Archer]

A couple of months ago, one of my former clients in Nevada wanted me do handle his Facebook page again for a month. He sent me money on Facebook. A couple of clicks and it was in my account 10 minutes later.

Fast-forward to October. My girlfriend's son in Oregon sent her some money via Facebook. When she tried to accept it, she got an error message saying she had to update her debit card. Her card hadn't changed from the last time she had received money on Facebook. So she removed the card, added back as a new card, then the status showed as "pending" before it told her to update the card again.

Meanwhile, the money has been taken from her son's account. Where it went, I can't tell you.

Fast-forward to a week ago. My sister sent me money. Got the same message about my card. Finally, after sending Facebook feedback, they said the money would be in my account in 10 working days.

Went to the bank two days ago. My balance seemed high when I got my receipt from the ATM. Went into the bank. The teller pulled up my account and read off my sister's name. Got the money! YAY!

Then, today, my account balance was short. Came home. Saw a DEBIT TO my sister for the amount she sent me!

Called my bank. They said "Unfortunately, you're not the first person who has come to us lately with this exact story."

For reasons unknown, Facebook made the credit go through, then took it back via a debit, and the debit is supposed to expire at midnight, and then the money will be back in my account.

I posted this for two reasons:

1). It is now a "known issue," and it is not the result of a virus or a hacking, it's just that Facebook apparently has their heads up their collective asses, and yes, the banks HAVE complained to them (it is a specific issue in the way in which they process Visa Debit Card transactions)

2). Do not, under any circumstances, send money to friends via Facebook or ask them to send money to you unless you like the sound of Uncle Miles telling you "I TOLD YOU SO."

[pangaia]

1. Why would anybody use fb to send money.?

Use PAYPAL or Vimeo.

[ATL Ebony]

4. Was just going to ask the same question.

[cbreezen]

2. In the end, you can report these things...

but, the benefits to the banks, etc., outweigh the costs incurred.

I was ripped off by a merchant claiming to be Directv. The merchant refunded the money, but they got away with the ripoff, until I caught it.

The financial institutions do not care. Law Enforcement doesn't care. For all I know, my haunt (DU) doesn't care either.

[Mediumsizedhand]

3. I had no idea FB did this kind of stuff. OK. I will not use FB to send/receive money.

[cwydro]

5. I had no idea facebook had a way to send money.

No way in hell would I do that.