Sending money to someone on a payment app is like handing them cash. If you give your cash to the wrong person, they might give it back — or they might not.

If you simply send money to the wrong person by accident, neither the payment platform nor your bank is likely to step in. Your best bet is to ask the recipient (nicely) for a refund.

But if you're the victim of a scam — which is a growing problem on peer-to-peer (P2P) payment platforms — your bank might have to reimburse you.

Read more: Is it safe to store money in apps like Venmo, PayPal, and Cash App?

Help: I sent money to the wrong person on Cash App

Cash App's policy does not require them to stop or refund accidental payments. If your payment went through, which usually happens immediately, your only recourse is to ask the recipient for a refund.

The correct way to make your request depends on how much time has passed since the payment. If it’s been under 30 days, here's what you can do:

1. Tap the Activity tab on your home screen

2. Select the payment

3. Tap "Completed"

4. Tap "Report an Issue"

5. Select the reason

6. Tap "Next" to complete the request

Help: I sent money to the wrong person on Zelle

With Zelle, you may have a few different options for getting an accidental payment refunded.

Zelle itself will only allow you to cancel payments if the recipient is not enrolled in Zelle. To cancel the payment, log in to your bank account or the Zelle app and hit “Cancel This Payment.”

If that doesn't work, you can try asking the recipient to send the money back or you can look into your bank's protections. For example, U.S. Bank customers can file disputes with the bank even after a Zelle payment is accepted.

If you sent money to a scammer, you can also try contacting your bank or credit union's fraud department. Depending on the details, the payment may qualify for reimbursement.

Help: I sent money to the wrong person on Venmo

Venmo suggests different solutions depending on the details of the payment. Here's what they recommend:

• For pending payments: Open the "Me" tab in your app, find the transaction, and tap "Take Back."

• For friends/family: Send them a charge request for the same amount with a note of explanation.

• Stranger: Contact Venmo's support team with the details to see if Venmo can help.

Will I get refunded for sending money to the wrong person?

A 2023 case study by Consumer Reports found that accidental payments are generally not recoverable unless the person who received the money volunteers to send it back.

Beyond asking the recipient for a refund, your best shot at getting the money back is canceling the payment before it's complete. That can be difficult since some digital wallet apps send payments immediately.

If you've been scammed, however, meaning you voluntarily sent money but didn't receive what you paid for, you might have a legal right to be reimbursed. If you sent the money from your bank account, contact your bank for support. For payments sent through P2P platforms, reach out to the platform directly.

How to avoid sending money to the wrong person

When you send money to the wrong person, you might not get it back. That's why it's crucial to slow down, verify the payment details, and double-check the information you enter before hitting send on a payment.

Take these precautions every time you use a payment app to avoid sending money to the wrong person:

• Avoid strangers: Don't send money to people you've never met in person. This includes love interests, job recruiters, and potential landlords you've only communicated with remotely.

• Verify contacts: Verify the recipient’s name and ensure you can reach them using the contact information they provided.

• Double-check the details: Make sure there are no typos in the recipient’s name, phone number, or email before submitting.

• Confirm purchases: Never send a deposit or pay for a product or service before receiving it.

• Slow down: Don't send money just because someone says it's urgent. Take your time and confirm the details independently.

• Beware of returns: Never send money back to a stranger who sends you a so-called overpayment or accidental payment. Instead, contact the platform or bank directly.