PayCape

PayCape - Vertical Mega Menu
Scam Alert - Platform-Based Financial Fraud Guide | PayCape

Stay Alert: Platform Scams Are Evolving

Scammers are constantly developing new tactics. Always verify requests for money or personal information, no matter which platform you're using.

Platform Scam Guide

Know the Scams on
Every Platform

Comprehensive guide to platform-specific scams. Learn how fraudsters operate on popular payment apps and financial platforms.

Report a Scam

Found a suspicious activity? Report it immediately

Platform Guides

Platform-specific scam prevention guides

Latest Articles

Read detailed scam analysis and news

Platform-Specific Scams

Common fraud schemes by platform

Venmo

90+ million users

47%
Increase in 2024
$850
Avg. Loss

Common Venmo Scams

  • Accidental Payment Scam
    Scammer sends money "accidentally" then asks for it back, but the original payment bounces.
  • Fake Payment Notifications
    Emails that look like Venmo payment confirmations but link to phishing sites.
  • Romance Scams
    Building fake relationships to request money for emergencies or travel.
  • Goods & Services Fraud
    Selling items they don't have or never intend to deliver.
Protection Guide Report

Cash App

50+ million users

62%
Increase in 2024
$1,200
Avg. Loss

Common Cash App Scams

  • Money Flip Scam
    Promise to multiply your money if you send a small amount first.
  • Cash App Friday Fraud
    Fake giveaways impersonating Cash App's legitimate promotions.
  • Pet Deposit Scam
    Fake pet sellers requesting deposits for animals that don't exist.
  • Customer Support Impersonation
    Fake support accounts asking for account details to "help" you.
Protection Guide Report

PayPal

400+ million users

38%
Increase in 2024
$950
Avg. Loss

Common PayPal Scams

  • Invoice Scam
    Fake invoices for services you never ordered or subscriptions you didn't sign up for.
  • Overpayment Scam
    Buyer sends too much money and asks for refund of the difference.
  • Phishing Emails
    "Account limited" emails directing to fake PayPal login pages.
  • Shipping Address Scam
    Asking to ship to different address to void seller protection.
Protection Guide Report

Zelle

Bank-integrated

71%
Increase in 2024
$2,500
Avg. Loss

Common Zelle Scams

  • Bank Impersonation
    Texts claiming fraud on your account, asking you to "reverse" transactions.
  • Upgrade Account Scam
    Claims you need to upgrade your Zelle account for a fee.
  • Rental Scam
    Fake landlords requesting deposits for properties they don't own.
  • Job Offer Scam
    Fake employers sending bad checks and asking for money back via Zelle.
Protection Guide Report

Crypto Platforms

Coinbase, Binance, etc.

183%
Increase in 2024
$10,000
Avg. Loss

Common Crypto Scams

  • Fake ICOs
    Fraudulent initial coin offerings for cryptocurrencies that don't exist.
  • Pump and Dump
    Coordinated buying to inflate price before mass selling.
  • Fake Wallets
    Malicious wallet apps that steal your private keys.
  • Celebrity Giveaways
    Fake Elon Musk or celebrity crypto "doubling" schemes.
Protection Guide Report

Investment Apps

Robinhood, E*TRADE, etc.

91%
Increase in 2024
$5,500
Avg. Loss

Common Investment App Scams

  • Fake Trading Apps
    Clone apps that steal login credentials and drain accounts.
  • Account Takeover
    Using stolen credentials to access and drain investment accounts.
  • Fake Financial Advisors
    Posing as experts offering guaranteed returns for a fee.
  • Social Media Stock Tips
    Coordinated campaigns to pump worthless stocks.
Protection Guide Report

Latest Scam Alert Articles

In-depth analysis and breaking news about financial scams

View All Scam Articles

Universal Protection Tips

These tips work across all platforms

1

Never Send to Strangers

Only send money to people you know and trust in real life. Once sent, money is usually impossible to recover.

2

Verify Requests

If someone claims to be from a company, hang up and call the official number. Never trust caller ID alone.

3

Enable Security Features

Use two-factor authentication, PINs, and biometric locks on all financial apps. Check settings regularly.

4

Question Urgency

Scammers create false urgency. Legitimate companies give you time to verify and make decisions.

5

Check URLs Carefully

Phishing sites often use similar URLs with slight misspellings. Always type URLs directly or use bookmarks.