Digital Payments: Venmo, Zelle, and Apple Pay

Send and receive money from your phone. Venmo, Zelle, Apple Pay, and how to use them safely.

Digital payments are part of daily life

Venmo, Zelle, Apple Pay, and similar apps let you pay friends, split bills, or pay at stores without cash or a physical card. Here’s how they work and how to use them safely.

Venmo

Venmo lets you send money to friends and family. Link a bank account or card, find the person by name or username, enter the amount, and send. Great for splitting dinner or paying back a friend.

Zelle

Zelle is built into many bank apps. You send money using the recipient’s email or phone number. Money usually arrives within minutes. Only use Zelle with people you know and trust — once sent, it’s hard to reverse.

Apple Pay

Apple Pay lets you pay at stores, in apps, and online using your iPhone or Apple Watch. Add your card in the Wallet app, then hold your device near the reader to pay. Your card number isn’t shared — it’s more secure than swiping.

Staying safe with digital payments

  • Only send money to people you know. Scammers often pretend to be family or a company.
  • Never pay for a prize, lottery, or “urgent” request with Venmo or Zelle.
  • Double-check the recipient’s name and amount before you send.
  • Use a strong password and two-factor authentication on payment apps.

Quick tips

  • Google Pay works similarly to Apple Pay for Android users.
  • Start with small amounts until you’re comfortable.
  • If you think you were scammed, contact your bank and the app immediately.