Zift Advisory
Cash App is an app for users to send and receive money via mobile device. Cash App is free to download but some transactions will incur fees. Cash App requires that users be at least 18 years of age to utilize the app. This app is safe for older teens but parents should consider the risks associated with it.
What is Cash App?
Cash App is an app for users to send and receive money via mobile device. Cash App allows users to save a balance directly in their account to be used in-tandem with their free debit card or users may deposit directly to their bank accounts. Cash App is free to download and use, but some transactions will incur fees.
Like other electronic money sending services, such as Venmo or PayPal, Cash App allows users to send money instantly at no charge.
Users have the option of keeping a balance in their Cash App account which can be used for money transfers or used with the debit card provided by the app, or have money deposited directly into their bank accounts.
Cash App users, opting to have payments through the app deposited directly to their bank accounts will need to wait until the next business day to access those funds. However, Cash App offers users the ability to instantly deposit funds, making them immediately available, for a 1% fee.
Is Cash App safe for my kids?
Parents need to know that Cash App is a platform that allows users to send and receive money with a mobile device. While Cash App is rated for users ages four years and older, Cash App’s terms of service require that users be at least 18 years of age and older.
Cash App also requires users to register their app with either their personal email address or a wireless phone number.
Parents should be aware that Cash App requires users to register both a Visa, Mastercard or Discover debit card for sending cash, as well as bank account routing information for depositing Cash App payments.
The Cash App safeguards user financial information with 128-bit encryption, in addition to fingerprint scanning or passcode.
As with any online account, registering personal financial information on a third party site, regardless of how secure it is, still exposes the user to the risk of having such information stolen.
Common Cash App user complaints include unauthorized charges and withdrawals, poor customer service, and the inability to access funds within accounts. Parents should be aware that Cash App provides no phone number for customer support, nor does the company plan to implement a call line for customer service.
Instead, users experiencing issues with the Cash App must email customer support and wait for a response. Email response to customer issues is another source of customer complaint with some customers saying they sent multiple emails without receiving a response or their app issue was not resolved in a timely manner.
While Cash App may seem like a great way for parents to dole out spending money and help teens budget, the fact that terms of service limit use of the app to adults should dissuade parents from allowing their children to use the platform.
Paired with the lack of customer support, or support options, not to mention customer complaints of being unable to retrieve funds, it would be wise to steer clear of the Cash App.
This app is safe for older teens but parents should consider the risks associated with using it before creating an account.
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