Make holiday gift giving easier and more secure in a digital world

More and more people are using their mobile phones to pay bills, make purchases and even give gifts. Here are some fun (and easy) ways you can safely use digital banking apps to share joy and good cheer this holiday season.

If you can’t travel to see your family and friends over the holidays, your phone might be the best way to stay connected. But did you know it’s also the preferred way to give a gift? According to Zellepay.com, sending money through person-to-person apps is preferred by 38% of respondents while 36% say they plan to give a physical gift.

Here are some other ways digital banking apps can help make the holidays brighter:

  • Split the cost of a group event or gift: Using a digital wallet helps you easily determine who owes what, and you can get notifications of what has been paid.
  • Give the gift of cash: More and more people say they prefer the gift of money and plan to spend it on experiences, bills and personal spending. 
  • Shop for locally made gifts: Support local artists, restaurants and other small businesses by using your digital wallet to buy one-of-a-kind pieces, services or gift cards. 
  • Use it to tip a service provider: An easy way to say thank you to your dog walker, hair stylist, gardener and paper boy is to give them a digital tip or bonus. 
  • Send money to your favorite charity: Make your money count for double by donating to a charity in your loved one’s name.

Holiday gifting for businesses

Business owners and managers can get in on the benefits of digital gifting too. Celebrate staff by gifting them money at the holidays and build a reward program for customers to show your appreciation.

The holidays can be a wonderful time of year, but it can also be a stressful time. Using digital banking apps can lessen stress by making the shopping experience simpler and easier.
 
In addition to making payments, viewing transactions and account balances, most mobile banking apps will let you set notifications that alert you when your balance drops below a certain level or when a withdrawal is made. That way you can stay on top of your holiday budget and ahead of scammers.  And if you still get cash or a check in your holiday card from grandma, you can deposit it into your account by snapping a photo of it on your device.

Tips to stay safe this season:

  • Send money to people and businesses you know and trust.  Once you send it, you may not be able to get it back.
  • Keep your one-time passcodes and passwords to yourself. We'll never ask you for them.
  • Check your online account often. Let us know right away if you see any unauthorized transactions.

For more safety tips, visit usbank.com/fraudprevention.

Download the U.S. Bank Mobile App to start using Zelle®. The app and the U.S. Bank Smart Assistant are available in the language you prefer. Just open the app menu, select settings and go to Language to choose English or Español.

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