Top 11 Venmo scams and how to avoid them

Nothing ruins a quick money transfer like falling for a scam. With millions of people using Venmo for everyday payments, scammers are always looking for new ways to steal money and personal information. From fake payment notifications to phishing messages, Venmo scams come in many forms—some so convincing that even careful people can get tricked.

In this guide, we’ll break down the most common Venmo scams, how they work, and the warning signs to watch for. Whether you’re sending money to a friend or selling something online, knowing how to spot a scam can help keep your money safe.

How Venmo scams work: 11 scams to avoid

Scammers take advantage of Venmo’s instant payments and the trust people place in the platform. Some try to trick you into sending money willingly, while others use fake notifications or impersonation tactics to steal from your account. Here are 11 of the most common scams and how they work.

1. Phishing and smishing attacks

You get a phishing email or text message that looks like it’s from Venmo, warning you about “suspicious activity” or asking you to verify your account. The message includes a link that leads to a fake Venmo login page designed to steal your credentials. If you enter your details, scammers can lock you out of your account and drain your balance.

2. Job scams

A job posting promises easy money for remote work, but there’s a catch—you need to handle payments through Venmo. The scammer might send you money and ask you to forward part of it elsewhere. 

Later, the original payment turns out to be fake, and you’re left covering the lost funds. Some scammers even trick you into cashing bad checks or laundering stolen money.

3. Stranger in the street scam

Someone on the street asks to borrow your phone, claiming they need to send an urgent Venmo payment. Instead of paying a friend, they quickly transfer money from your account to themselves. Since Venmo transactions happen instantly, the money is gone before you even realize what happened.

4. Paper check scam

A buyer sends you a check as payment for something you’re selling, but later claims they “accidentally” overpaid. They ask you to return the extra amount via Venmo. A few days later, the check bounces, and you’re left with a negative balance—while the scammer keeps the money you sent back.

5. Fake invoice scams

You receive an unexpected Venmo payment request or invoice for a service you never signed up for. Using a real company name or a business-like message, it might look official. The scammer hopes you’ll assume it’s legitimate and pay without questioning the charge.

6. Romance scams

You meet someone online, and over time, they gain your trust. Then, they tell you they’re in trouble—maybe they need help with medical bills, travel expenses, or an emergency. They ask you to send money through Venmo and promise to pay you back. But once you send it, they disappear.

7. Identity theft scams

A scammer tricks you into revealing personal information like your Venmo login, Social Security number, or bank details. They might pose as Venmo support, a government agency, or even your bank. Once they have your information, they can take over your account, steal your money, or commit other forms of fraud.

8. Giveaway and cash reward scams

You get a message saying you won a Venmo gift or cash prize. To claim it, you need to send a small “processing fee” or confirm your Venmo login. In reality, there’s no prize. 

Scammers often run these schemes around the holiday season, when people are more likely to enter giveaways or fall for limited-time offers. Once you send money or share your details, the scammer disappears.

9. Marketplace scams

A scammer pretends to be a buyer or seller on platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. If you’re selling something, they send a fake Venmo payment confirmation and never actually pay. 

They accept your Venmo payment if you’re buying but never send the item. In some cases, they overpay and ask for a refund—before reversing their original payment, leaving you with nothing.

10. Venmo impersonation calls

You get a phone call from someone claiming to be Venmo support. They say there’s an issue with your account and ask for your login details or a verification code. They can take over your account and steal your funds if you provide this information.

11. Fake charity scams

After a natural disaster or trending cause, you see a request for donations via Venmo. The charity looks real, but it’s actually a scam. The money goes straight to the scammer instead of helping those in need. Some scammers even impersonate real charities to make their requests seem legitimate.

Signs that someone is trying to scam you on Venmo

Venmo fraud often follows predictable patterns. If something feels off during a Venmo transaction, it probably is. Here are the biggest red flags to watch for.

Unexpected payment requests from strangers

You receive a random Venmo payment request from someone you don’t know. They might claim you owe them money, say they mistakenly sent a payment, or insist on a refund. 

This could be part of a Venmo transaction scam, where scammers try to trick you into sending money before you realize their original payment was fake or made with a stolen account.

Fake Venmo support messages 

Scammers send emails, texts, or even calls pretending to be Venmo support. They claim there’s a problem with your account, often using urgent language to make you panic. 

They might send a Venmo phishing link asking you to log in or request sensitive details like your password or two-factor authentication code. This is a common Venmo account hack tactic.

Overpayment or accidental transfer claims 

You receive a Venmo payment from a stranger, followed by a message saying they sent it by accident and need a refund. The problem? The original transfer may have been made with stolen funds. 

Once Venmo detects fraud, the payment will be reversed. This means if you send money back, you’ll lose it. This type of Venmo payment fraud is often used on online marketplaces.

Requests to move conversations off Venmo

A scammer might connect with you on Venmo but quickly ask to switch to another platform, like email, WhatsApp, or text. This is common in digital wallet scams, where fraudsters avoid Venmo’s transaction records to make disputes harder. If someone insists on moving communication elsewhere, it’s a red flag.

Urgent or high-pressure tactics

Scammers try to rush you into making a payment or sharing personal details. They might say your account will be locked, your funds are at risk, or that you need to act immediately to claim a fake Venmo payment. This tactic is often used in Venmo identity theft schemes, where scammers want you to panic and reveal sensitive information before you think it through.

How to protect yourself from Venmo scams

Venmo scams are becoming more sophisticated, but you can take steps to stay safe. Let’s see how to reduce your risk of falling for Venmo payment fraud.

Recognize red flags in Venmo transactions

Scammers often pressure you to act fast, send unexpected payment requests, or claim they mistakenly sent you money. Watch for unusual activity, like fake Venmo payments, overpayment scams, or requests to move conversations off Venmo. If something seems suspicious, trust your gut and don’t engage.

Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)

Adding two-factor authentication (2FA) makes it harder for scammers to access your account, even if they get your password. Venmo allows you to enable 2FA through text verification codes. This extra layer of security helps protect against a Venmo account hack.

Use a VPN for secure transactions

Using Venmo on public Wi-Fi makes your connection vulnerable to hackers who can intercept your data. ExpressVPN encrypts your internet traffic, making it difficult for cybercriminals to steal your Venmo login details or financial information. 

Since ExpressVPN masks your online activity, scammers can’t track or exploit your transactions. This extra layer of security is especially useful for preventing online payment fraud and protecting digital wallet scams when using Venmo or other payment apps. 

Set up a strong and unique password

Using a weak or reused password makes it easier for scammers to hack your Venmo account. A strong password should be long, complex, and unique from your other accounts. Avoid using names, birthdays, or common words that are easy to guess. 

To create a secure password, use a password generator to randomly generate strong, hard-to-crack credentials. Many password managers also offer built-in generators and store passwords securely, reducing the risk of Venmo identity theft or account breaches.

Always verify before sending money

Before sending money, double-check the recipient’s details. Scammers often impersonate real users or businesses in a Venmo support scam or fake Venmo payment scheme. If someone you don’t know requests money, reach out to them through another trusted method to confirm it’s legitimate.

What to do if you got scammed on Venmo

If you’ve fallen for a Venmo scam, don’t panic—but act fast. Scammers move quickly to transfer stolen money, so the sooner you report fraud, the better your chances of recovering your funds. Here’s what to do next.

Steps to report a Venmo scam

1. Check your transaction history: Make note of the scammer’s username, payment details, and any exchanged messages.
2. Report the scam to Venmo: Use the app’s built-in reporting feature to flag suspicious activity. This helps Venmo track and take action against fraudulent accounts.
3. Contact your bank or card issuer: If you linked a debit or credit card, report the fraudulent transaction. Some banks offer chargeback options for unauthorized payments.
4. Change your Venmo password: If you shared login details or clicked a Venmo phishing link, update your password immediately to prevent further access.
5. Enable 2FA: If you haven’t already, turn on 2FA to add extra security to your account.

How to contact Venmo support

Venmo doesn’t have a direct phone support line for scam cases, but you can reach them through:

• The Venmo app: Go to Settings > Get Help > Contact Us to report fraud.
• Email: Send a message through Venmo’s official support page.
• Twitter (@VenmoSupport): While they can’t resolve cases directly, they can guide you on the next steps.

Protecting your identity after a scam

If you share personal information, scammers could try to steal your identity. Take these steps to minimize risk:

• Monitor your bank and Venmo transactions: Look for unauthorized charges.
• Check your credit report: Watch for any signs of fraud or new accounts opened in your name.
• Enable alerts on your accounts: This helps you catch suspicious activity early.
• Be wary of follow-up scams: Some fraudsters return, posing as Venmo support to “help” you recover lost money.

Can you get your money back after a Venmo scam?

While there’s no guarantee of a refund, acting fast increases your chances of recovering lost funds and preventing further fraud. You may be able to get a refund if:

• You paid with a linked credit card: You can dispute the charge with your card issuer.
• The scammer’s account is still active: Venmo may be able to reverse the payment. Report the issue immediately.
• The scam involved a hacked Venmo account: Venmo may offer limited protection—but only if you report the fraud quickly.