Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

PayPal
IOU

PayPal is trying to reduce the awkwardness of asking friends for money back

Although there are no “firm plans” to bring PayPal.me to Irish users yet.

PAYPAL HAS LAUNCHED a payment method that allows you to request money by sending a URL link.

The service, called PayPal.me, allows users to request money through personalised links and can be sent through email, SMS or instant messaging services like WhatsApp.

Once the link is clicked on, the person can pay from their own PayPal account by selecting an amount and hitting send. You can specify the amount needed to be paid or leave it up to the individual to decide.

The idea, according to PayPal, is to avoid the awkwardness that ensues whenever you ask friends, family members or colleagues to pay you back. Also, the link means you won’t have to leave the app or site you’re on so you can transfer money.

Of the 18 countries that it’s launched in today, Ireland isn’t included. When asked whether the service will be making its way over here, a spokesperson for PayPal said it has “no firm plans on the Irish launch as yet”.

As well as the US, Australia and Canada, the service is launching in a number of European countries including the UK, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland.

PayPal joins a growing number of apps that offer similar peer-to-peer payments. Both Facebook Messenger and Snapchat introduced its own money transfer service to users in the US although there are no plans from either to expand to other countries.

Read: Google is making a big move to help treat diabetes >

Read: There’s a major downside to jailbreaking your iPhone (if you’re thinking about it) >

Your Voice
Readers Comments
10
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.