Venmo scams: 10+ common tricks and how to stay safe

Venmo has reshaped how we handle money, making splitting bills, paying rent, and sending cash to friends effortless. With over 83 million Americans using the platform in 2023 (roughly 1 in 4 people), it's become an integral part of our financial lives.

However, this widespread adoption comes with a dark side. Scammers have caught on, turning Venmo's convenience into their playground. The numbers tell us a sobering story: in 2024 alone, the FTC logged 90,571 complaints about payment app fraud, with losses hitting $391 million.

That's why staying one step ahead is essential. Drawing on extensive research and real-world scam reports, I've identified the most dangerous Venmo scams, and exactly how to outsmart them in 2026.

Types of Venmo scams to watch out for

After researching online forums, scam reports, and hundreds of Reddit threads, I’ve identified the most common Venmo scams users fall for today. These tricks keep evolving, but the patterns remain clear: urgency, impersonation, and false promises.

Below is a list of the most common Venmo scams, including how they work, the potential consequences, and the red flags to watch out for.

1. Fake accidental payments

One of the most common Venmo scams, this one takes advantage of people’s good intentions and fast reactions.

• How the scam works. Someone sends you money on Venmo and says they made a mistake. They ask you to send it back, hoping you’ll do it before the original payment is reversed.
• What could happen. You send your own money back. The original funds vanish and you’re out whatever you returned.
• Red flags to watch for. Random payments from strangers and urgent follow-up messages asking for a refund to a different username.

2. Phishing texts and emails

​​This type of scam feeds on panic. It tricks users into giving away sensitive data through fake urgency and realistic impersonation.

• How the scam works. Scammers send fake Venmo emails or texts that link to phony login pages. These sites steal your credentials and 2FA codes.
• What could happen. Your account gets hijacked and drained. They may also change your password or steal money from linked accounts.
• Red flags to watch for. Messages with login links, poor grammar, or odd email addresses. Any text that demands urgency is suspicious.

3. Overpayment scams on marketplace sales

These scams look like everyday buying mistakes, but they're built to exploit good sellers in peer-to-peer marketplaces.

• How the scam works. A buyer overpays on purpose and asks for a refund. Their payment will later bounce or be reversed.
• What could happen. You lose both the item and the refund you sent them.
• Red flags to watch for. Buyers who act rushed or ask for a refund through a different account.

4. Fake charity or emergency requests

​​Fraudsters pull at your heartstrings by mimicking people or causes you care about, hoping you won’t stop to verify.

• How the scam works. Fraudsters pretend to be charities or friends in crisis. They ask for help through emotional Venmo requests.
• What could happen. Your money goes to a scammer, not a real cause or person.
• Red flags to watch for. Emotional language, urgent demands, and unusual requests that skip normal communication.

5. Romance and sugar daddy scams

These scams rely on emotional manipulation, building trust just long enough to exploit it for money or information.

• How the scam works. Scammers build fake online relationships and eventually ask for money. Sugar daddy scams offer cash in exchange for a small fee or personal info.
• What could happen. You lose money, and your data or photos might be misused.
• Red flags to watch for. Fast affection, avoidance of video calls, and requests for financial help.

6. Account verification scams

This scam preys on fear and authority, using fake support calls or emails to push you into handing over control.

• How the scam works. Scammers pretend to be Venmo support and ask for verification codes. They may also demand payments to verify your account.
• What could happen. They get full access to your account and send money to themselves.
• Red flags to watch for. Unsolicited calls or texts asking for codes or payments.

7. Business payments disguised as personal

This trick bypasses buyer protections by pressuring users to send money as if they were paying a friend.

• How the scam works. Sellers ask you to send money as a friend to dodge fees. This removes your protection if the item never arrives.
• What could happen. You send money and get nothing in return. Venmo won’t help recover it.
• Red flags to watch for. Anyone asking you not to tag the payment as a purchase.

8. Hacked friend accounts

This scam feels personal because it is – attackers hijack familiar faces to build trust and urgency.

• How the scam works. A scammer impersonates someone you know and asks for money using their name and profile photo.
• What could happen. You send money to a stranger thinking it’s a friend.
• Red flags to watch for. Out-of-character messages, urgency, and no confirmation outside the app.

9. Investment or crypto scams

These scams thrive on excitement and greed, offering fake financial opportunities in exchange for fast Venmo payments.

• How the scam works. You’re offered a chance to double your money or invest through Venmo. The pitch sounds exciting and urgent.
• What could happen. Your money disappears. There’s no investment, no return.
• Red flags to watch for. Guaranteed profits, time pressure, and payment through Venmo.

10. Fake prizes and sweepstakes

This scam targets people’s optimism. It promises big rewards in exchange for just a little action – and that’s the hook.

• How the scam works. You get a message saying you’ve won something and need to log in or pay a small fee to claim it.
• What could happen. Scammers steal your login, personal info, or small payment.
• Red flags to watch for. Messages from unknown sources, surprise wins, or prize claims that require money.

11. Fake job or recruitment scams

Scammers can post fake job ads or contact you with falsified job offers, then demand upfront “training” or “onboarding” fees through Venmo.

• How the scam works. Scammers post phony job listings or contact people directly with "good opportunities." They then request upfront "training" or "onboarding" payments through Venmo.
• What could happen. You lose money, and there is no job. Scammers might also collect personal data for identity theft.
• Red flags to watch out for. Job ads asking for payment, vague roles with unrealistic pay, and recruiters refusing video calls.

12. Rental or real estate deposit scams

Fraudsters advertise non-existent rentals online and pressure tenants into paying deposits via Venmo before viewing, leaving victims with no money and no legitimate property.

• How the scam works. Scammers list fake rentals online and pressure you to pay a deposit via Venmo before you've even seen it.
• What could happen. You lose your money, and the listing disappears.
• Red flags to watch out for. Landlords demanding deposits before viewing, stock photos, or hosts avoiding in-person interactions.

13. Fake “upgrade your account / unlock funds” tricks

A scammer might claim incoming Venmo payments are on hold until you pay a fee to “upgrade” your account, exploiting urgency.

• How the scam works. A scammer informs you that your incoming payment or account is "on hold" until you pay for an upgrade.
• What could happen. You pay, but there's no upgrade, just a scammer cashing out.
• Red flags to watch out for. Messages about "pending funds," fees to verify, or payment requests outside of Venmo's official communication.

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How to report a Venmo scam

If you’ve been targeted or scammed on Venmo, take action right away. The sooner you report, the better your chances of stopping further damage.

Here’s what to do:

1. Flag the transaction. Begin by opening the Venmo app, tap the transaction in question, select the three dots menu and choose Report to flag it.
2. Contact Venmo support. Use the help section in the app to explain what happened and get support from their team.
3. Report phishing messages. Forward suspicious emails or texts to Venmo’s security team and then delete them from your inbox.
4. Notify your bank. If your linked bank or card might be compromised, let your bank know immediately and ask them to monitor for fraud.
5. Consider identity protection. If personal details were exposed, use identity protection tools like Coveron or Aura to track misuse and secure your accounts. However, identity protection benefits of Coveron exclude NY residents.

How to identify potential Venmo scams

Venmo scams tend to follow a standard formula. Scammers pressure, use emotional manipulation, and fictitious claims of authority to force people into making rash mistakes. In 2024 alone, the FTC gathered in excess of 90,000 complaints about payment app trickery, showing just how prevalent these tactics have become.

For this reason, I made a cheat sheet of the most common warning signs to watch out for:

• Sense of urgency. Watch out for messages that tell you to take action in a hurry, either a "fictitious" crisis or a "limited-time" promotion.
• Requests for personal information. No real business will ever ask about your Venmo login, password, or verification codes.
• Suspect links or attachments. Phishing emails or messages may contain clickable links to a fake Venmo page, you might notice that the email addresses of the sender might be unofficial (this information can be easily verified online).
• Spelling and grammar errors. Poor writing, typos, and even inconsistent punctuation are also red flags, especially in communication claiming to be from official assistance.
• Unsolicited payment or solicitation. People sending you money and then asking you to send it back is one of the most common scam methods.
• Strange payment requests. Vendors asking you to mark a purchase as "friends and family" are trying to sidestep buyer protections.

If you notice one or more of the aforementioned signs, take a moment and double-check information before proceeding. The best way to avoid a costly mistake is to slow down.

Tips to avoid Venmo scams

Venmo’s convenience makes it an easy target for scammers. To protect your finances and identity, it’s essential to follow smart practices that reduce your risk of fraud.

Whether you're a regular user or only open the app occasionally, staying vigilant can help you avoid common pitfalls.

As such, I’ve collected some key tips to keep your Venmo experience safe. See the table below for a full breakdown of my advice and how to implement safety practices.

Safety tip	Why it matters	How to do it
Only send money to people you know and trust	Venmo isn't meant for paying strangers. Once sent, payments are hard to reverse	Confirm the recipient’s username or phone number before sending money
Be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true	Scammers often bait users with fake giveaways or discount items	Stick to well-known marketplaces or platforms with buyer protection
Use identity monitoring and fraud protection tools	Scammers may try to steal your personal info or access your account after a successful scam	Get services like Coveron or Aura to monitor for breaches, block phishing, and recover if your identity is compromised
Never share your verification codes or passwords	Important credentials can be used to hijack your account	Keep login details private – even if someone claims to be from Venmo support
Confirm payment requests through a separate communication channel	Spoofed requests can appear legitimate inside the app	Call or text the person directly to verify the transaction request
Avoid paying strangers through Venmo for goods or services	Venmo doesn’t offer buyer protection like other platforms	Use PayPal Goods & Services or similar secure payment options when buying from unfamiliar sources

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What to do if you fall victim to a Venmo scam

I understand how frustrating it could be to find out you've been scammed on Venmo. The silver lining is, there are concrete things you can do right away to mitigate the fallout. Here's what I'd do if it were me:

1. Report the scam on Venmo. Open your app, flag the transaction as fraudulent, and report to support so they can look into it.
2. Change your Venmo password. This will ensure no one will be able to get into your account. Plus, update any accounts where you’ve used the same password.
3. Contact your bank or card company. Let them know about the fraud so they can block suspicious charges or issue a new card.
4. Report the scam to the FTC. File a complaint at ReportFraud.ftc.gov to help track scam patterns.
5. Enable identity tracking. Tools like Coveron or Aura can alert you if your data is being misused elsewhere.

Acting quickly after you’ve been scammed may not be able to recover lost money, but it can stop further damages and save you from future attacks.

How to keep your Venmo account safe

Venmo is targeted because it's linked to real money. In 2024 alone, the FBI’s IC3 logged losses over $16B, showing how profitable these attacks actually are. Therefore, I encourage you to take all the multi-layered steps you can to keep your Venmo account safe:

• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). Add a code to sign-in so a stolen password won't work. Set up 2FA in Venmo Security settings and change recovery details.
• Use a strong, one-of-a-kind password. Don't reuse logins within domains; one hack can domino. Use our guide on how to create a safe password to learn more.
• Lock up the app and your phone. Set a device passcode, Face/Touch ID, and a Venmo PIN (if available). Short auto-lock periods limit opportunistic access.
• Lock down privacy settings. Set your default transaction visibility to Private and review who can see your activity/history to limit social-engineering vectors.
• Use reliable antivirus. Phishing and malware steal credentials. For this reason, a reliable antivirus suite can stop them.
• Don't pay over public Wi-Fi. Use mobile data or a secure network, as open hotspots are vulnerable to snooping.
• Keep social media personal data tight. Birthdays, employers, and pet names fuel password guesses and impersonation.
• Turn on alerts and monitor activity. Turn on Venmo push/email notifications and enable bank/card alerts to catch fraud early.
• Keep applications updated. Update iOS/Android and Venmo app; patches fill in known gaps.
• Check authorized accounts regularly. Remove unused, inactive cards/banks you don't need anymore and check registered devices/sessions; log out of anything you don't recognize.

Final word: is Venmo safe to use?

Although Venmo is generally safe and widely trusted, my research shows that scams tied to the platform are becoming more frequent and more sophisticated. Cybercriminals thrive on rushed decisions, emotional pressure, and impersonation. That doesn’t mean Venmo is unsafe, but it does mean you should be more alert.

To protect yourself, make a habit of slowing down before hitting send. Always verify requests, especially if they seem urgent or emotional. Never share verification codes, and be skeptical of links sent by text or email. Use privacy settings to limit what others can see about your activity.

And for an extra layer of security, identity protection tools like Coveron and Aura can help monitor your accounts and alert you early if something goes wrong. Staying secure isn’t complicated – it just takes a little awareness and the right tools.

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