R U in Control of online payments?

It’s always a good idea to check in advance reimbursement options for an online payment in case something goes wrong.

When you send or request money through your personal online payment account, there are often different options. You can choose a payment option that is designed to send money to a family member or friend or you can choose a “Goods and Services” type payment – typically to pay for something you’re buying from a person or organisation that you don’t know.

It always pays to read the fine print.

Whilst most secure online payment platforms protect you against “goods and services” scams, if you choose to use the method designed to send money to a family member or friend, you cannot dispute or make a claim on the payment, because they’re classed as direct payments and not stored in the online payment platform.

Some online payment platforms user agreements explicitly prohibit buyers from using the ‘send money to a friend or family member’ feature when paying for goods or services.

Sellers or providers should not be asking you to pay that way, so take it as a red flag and purchase elsewhere.

Here’s a good rule: If they’re not your friends and family in real life, don’t send them money using a “friends and family” online payment system.

Ask yourself – R U in Control.

Members of the public can learn about scams at www.scamwatch.gov.au or the Queensland Police Service’s R U in Control campaign at https://www.police.qld.gov.au/safety-and-preventing-crime/r-u-in-control.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.