Scam Overview
Venmo, the peer-to-peer (P2P) payment app owned by PayPal, has become a popular way for friends, freelancers, and small businesses to exchange money. However, the platform’s ease of use also makes it attractive to scammers who exploit trust and speed.
In 2025, the number of Venmo scams continues to rise. According to consumer watchdog groups, scam reports have increased by 28% compared to last year. Many victims report losing anywhere from $50 to over $2,000 per incident.
Who's at Risk
How This Scam Works
Venmo scams are executed through a careful blend of technical deception and social manipulation. Scammers exploit users’ trust, urgency, and lack of platform awareness to initiate and complete fraudulent transactions. Here’s a deeper dive into how these scams unfold in 2025:
Step 1: Scammer Identification and Target Selection
Fraudsters often scan social media platforms, online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, or even job boards to find potential victims. They look for individuals who seem inexperienced, in urgent need of selling or buying something, or who have public Venmo usernames.
Step 2: Initiating Contact
The scam usually begins with an unsolicited message—via email, social media, or Venmo itself. It may appear to be from a buyer, seller, potential employer, or even Venmo support. These initial messages are crafted to seem trustworthy and professional.
Step 3: Creating a Sense of Urgency or Trust
Scammers use emotional or urgent appeals to influence decisions. In romance scams, they invest time in building a relationship before requesting money. In overpayment scams, they create a sense of urgency by saying they made a mistake and need a refund immediately. In phishing scams, users may be told their Venmo account is frozen and requires immediate verification.
Step 4: Triggering the Transaction
Once they have the user hooked, scammers make a move:
- Overpayment: They send a fake or reversible payment, then ask for a refund.
- Phishing: They send a fake Venmo login link to steal your credentials.
- Fake sales: They collect payment for a product that doesn’t exist.
- Impersonation: They pretend to be someone the victim knows or trusts, asking for money.
These tactics rely on users making quick, emotional decisions without verifying facts.
Step 5: Disappearing After the Scam
After they’ve received money or access credentials, scammers cut off contact. Since Venmo transactions are processed like cash, they’re often irreversible. Even if a victim realizes the fraud quickly, there’s little recourse to recover the funds.
Step 6: Aftermath and Data Exploitation
If a scam involved account takeover via phishing, scammers may also attempt to withdraw linked bank funds, change passwords, or sell account information on the dark web. Victims often feel embarrassed, which delays reporting the crime and allows fraudsters to keep operating.
In short, scammers exploit the informal, fast-paced nature of Venmo transactions. Whether the scam involves a fake product, phishing email, or “accidental” payment, the method is always designed to seem legitimate—until it’s too late.
Red Flags to Watch For
Suspicious Email Activity (venmo scam email, venmo email scam)
If you receive an email claiming your Venmo account is suspended or asking for login details, it's likely a phishing attempt. Always check the sender's email address and avoid clicking on links.
Requests for Refunds from Unknown Contacts (venmo scams)
Be wary of strangers who send you money “by accident” and ask for a refund. These Venmo scams often involve stolen or fake cards and result in you losing both the product and the refund.
Fake Marketplace Listings (facebook marketplace venmo scams)
Scammers often post on Facebook Marketplace and request Venmo payments for items that don’t exist. Avoid paying anyone without verifying the product and seller.
Fake Business Profiles (venmo business account scams)
Not all business profiles are legitimate. Some fraudsters pose as vendors or service providers using fake Venmo business accounts. Confirm legitimacy before making large payments.
Messages from "Venmo Support" Asking for Info
Venmo will never ask for your password or verification code via text or email. If someone contacts you claiming to be support, it's a scam.
Redirect Links to Login Pages
Phishing scams often involve sending links to fake login pages designed to steal your credentials. Always type “venmo.com” directly into your browser.
Vague or Rushed Payment Requests
Scammers often create urgency to bypass your judgment. Never send money without verifying the identity of the recipient, especially if the request feels rushed or unclear.
How to Protect Yourself
Only transact with people you know and trust.
Venmo was originally built for personal payments—splitting bills, paying friends, or reimbursing roommates. If you're using it with strangers, you increase your risk of being scammed.
Never issue refunds for “accidental” payments.
One of the most common Venmo scams involves someone sending you money “by mistake” and then asking you to send it back. These payments are usually made using stolen cards or hacked accounts. Once the original transaction is reversed, you're left with the loss.
Verify sellers and buyers outside of Venmo.
Set up a PIN or Touch ID/Face ID for all transactions. This adds an extra layer of security to prevent unauthorized access.
Be Wary of "Free Money" Offers
If you're using platforms like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, confirm the legitimacy of the buyer or seller through messaging or a phone call before exchanging money.
Be cautious of urgent requests.
Scammers often create false urgency to push you into acting quickly. Whether it's a fake job offer, romance scam, or phishing email, take a step back and verify the details.
Don't share login credentials or verification codes.
Venmo will never ask for this information via email, text, or phone call. Anyone who does is likely a scammer.
Avoid using Venmo for commercial transactions.
Venmo’s user agreement limits use to personal payments unless you have a verified business profile. Using it to buy or sell from unknown parties increases risk.
If You've Been Scammed
Freeze Your Account
Log into your Venmo app and immediately disable transactions. If you suspect someone has access to your account, go to “Settings” → “Security” → “Sessions” and log out of all active sessions.
Change Your Password
Update your Venmo password immediately. If you use the same password on other platforms, change those as well to prevent cross-platform access.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
This adds a secondary code requirement at login. It’s a vital safeguard if your credentials were compromised through a phishing scam.
Report Through Venmo
Use the in-app “Help” or “Contact Us” feature to report the scam directly to Venmo. Include the username of the scammer, the amount, and any relevant screenshots or messages.
Forward Suspicious Emails
If the scam originated via email, forward the message to spoof@venmo.com to help their fraud team investigate phishing attempts.
Document Everything
Keep a record of all interactions with the scammer, including:Venmo usernamesChat or message historyTransaction IDs and timestampsEmails or phone numbers used in the scamThis information will be critical if you file a police report or if Venmo opens an internal investigation.
Monitor for Continued Fraud
Scammers often attempt multiple attacks. Watch for:Fake follow-ups pretending to “resolve” your caseIdentity theft attempts through email or social engineeringAdditional suspicious Venmo activityCheck your linked bank account and credit cards daily for unauthorized charges. Consider placing a fraud alert or temporary credit freeze through Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion if you suspect identity theft.
File a Police Report (If Necessary)
If the scam involved a large sum or identity theft, file a police report. Bring all your documentation, including Venmo receipts, communication logs, and bank statements. While local law enforcement may not be able to retrieve your funds, a report helps create a legal paper trail.
Where to Report
Evidence & Documentation
Official Links
Known Fake URLs
venmo-payments-help.com
venmo-verification.net
secure-venmo-login.com
venmo-account-update.com
venmo-customer-support.org
venmo-helpdesk.com
venmo-services-alert.com
venmoauth.com
venmo-dispute-resolution.net
Law Enforcement Actions
FBI Investigations:
The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) has included Venmo scams in its annual Internet Crime Report since 2022, particularly highlighting cases involving romance scams and business impersonation.
FTC Civil Actions:
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has issued warnings and investigated scam rings involving fake customer support impersonators targeting Venmo users.
State Attorney General Alerts:
Attorneys General in states like California, New York, and Texas have released public warnings about Venmo fraud and encouraged consumers to report scams directly to their offices.
Arrests & Convictions:
2023: A group of scammers operating out of Florida were arrested for running a fake online marketplace that defrauded over 200 Venmo users out of $500,000. Charges included wire fraud and identity theft.
2024: A cybercrime unit in Illinois shut down a phishing operation responsible for cloning Venmo login pages and harvesting user credentials through fake “account suspended” emails.