Facebook Messenger News: Payment Option Available Across U.S.

Facebook Messenger rolls out its payment service across the U.S. Facebook’s popular messaging platform had a payment feature for months. But it was available in selected regions (started on city-by-city basis), including New York city. But now the service will be available to all users across the country.

Facebook Messenger is a mobile-and online-chatting service. The digital payment platform was first launched in October 2014 and started testing in March. In June Facebook announced that the service has more than 700 million users.

The Messenger allows its users to connect a MasterCard or Visa Debit Card to their accounts. The users can make person-to-person payments with this app by a single click on “$” icon within a conversation. The user just have to enter the amount to be sent and confirm payment by tapping on "Pay". The recipient accepts payment by opening the message from their friend and tapping “Add Card” and finally confirm. Apple iPhone users can enable Touch ID for easy payment. The transfer may take few days depending on the bank that the user opts for. Recently, Facebook Messenger also allowed payments within group chats. Last month Messenger started allowing non-Facebook users to avail the service. Facebook Messenger is a good option for small transactions like refunding friend for movie tickets, sharing restaurant bills etc.

According to Mashable reports, for the time being Facebook users can only add debit cards to this service. This is conscious decision taken by the company to avoid extra charges and minimize fraud. P2P payment apps like Venmo which allow users to add credit cards also charge an addition fee of 3% for each transaction.

David Marcus, Facebook’s Vice President of Messaging products, expressed on his page, “As always, give it a try it and let us know how we can make even better for you!”

According to research firm eMarketer by 2016, mobile payments in the U.S will be growing to $27.5 billion from $3.7 billion in 2014. The firm also expects a huge leap in mobile payment users in U.S by the same time.

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