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The free tool below runs entirely in this browser — no account, nothing stored or transmitted. Redact anything you would not want kept before you type it.
Open the companion tool →Why payment apps do not refund accidental or scam transfers
P2P payment platforms are designed for instant settlement between friends and family, not buyer protection.
Scammers create handles that differ by a single letter or underscore from legitimate contacts or merchants.
The protocol
- Verify the recipient's exact handle or phone number in person or over an established channel.
- For new recipients, send a $1 test payment first and confirm receipt before sending the full amount.
- Never use P2P apps to buy goods from strangers on social media or online marketplaces.
- Ignore requests to 'test' your account by sending money to yourself or a representative.
What the tool does
Run a safety check on a P2P payment recipient handle or request. Runs in browser.
Limit first: This is a procedural check tool. It cannot reverse completed payment transactions.
Open the companion tool →One human next step
If you sent money to a scammer on a P2P app, report the transaction immediately inside the app and contact your bank.
Research log and safety checks
AI-assist path: process verification checklist. §6.10: not a frontier-pace topic.
§0.5 protection result: category is scam-fraud-defense; crisis-adjacent: no; fear/urgency/scarcity toolkit used: no. The protective function is free and the paid feature is convenience only.