With the messaging of Facebook, the infamous Messenger, we will also be able exchange some money. No longer just text messages or smiles, photos, links and videos: even small sums of money, which can be sent to your contacts via the application linked to the social network.
The new system had been identified in the application code as early as October 2014, but had not been made available to users so far. And now operating only in the United States, where a new one with the dollar sign has been added to the classic icons to add photos, emoticons, voice recordings and other elements in your conversations. Tapping it takes you to a new section that allows you to indicate the amount to send to your friend.
When you first send money, the application asks you to enter your own number Debit Card, which will be used for the transaction. Whoever receives the money simply opens Facebook Messenger, indicates the debit card on which he intends to send the money for the first time and finally accepts the money sent by his friend.
For now, the system only works with debit cards, i.e. those that provide for the direct debit of the amount spent on the card checking account of their holder, at the same time as the transaction and not at a later time (usually at the end of the month) as happens with credit cards.
A debit card is not necessarily an ATM: they exist for making payments but not for withdrawals, as there are rechargeable versions that are not linked to a current account. Debit cards usually have less complicated systems for carrying out online transactions, which perhaps explains the choice to use them as a system for payments by Facebook Messenger.
The payment system via Facebook Messenger currently only works in the United States: they can be used Visa or MasterCard debit cards issued by a US bank. Sent money is transferred immediately and without fees, but it can take up to three days to wait for it to become available to the recipient. Waiting times depend in part on how individual banks manage current accounts.
