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Is Venmo Safe To Use in 2025?
Yes. When used correctly with people you know (or when you can verify their identities), Venmo is a safe and fast way to transfer money. Unfortunately, any payment platform is a prime target for scammers — and Venmo is no exception.
The latest data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), showed that Americans lost $391 million to scams on payment apps, including Venmo.
Fraudsters leverage Venmo’s convenience and speed to con victims into sending money or giving up access to their accounts. Venmo scams are constantly evolving, however, and they typically fall under a few categories: “accidental” payments, impersonator and imposter scams, fake giveaways, and phishing scams.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most common Venmo scams in 2025, how to identify and avoid them, and what to do if you’re a victim.
⚠️ Are you the victim of a Venmo scam? Your identity, finances, and accounts could be at risk! Read on to find out how to stay safe, report the scam, and recover lost funds.
The 12 Latest Venmo Scams To Look Out For
- Unexpected or “mistake” money transfers
- Venmo impersonation calls and texts
- Fake job onboarding fee scams
- Venmo phishing emails
- Rental deposit scams
- Fake invoices from companies
- Romance scams
- “Free money” texts and emails
- Hacked friend accounts requesting money
- Marketplace scams
- Strangers asking to use your phone
- Buyers creating fake payment confirmations
Research from the Department of Financial Protection & Innovation (DFPI) found that payment app scams are steadily rising every year.
Here’s a list of the most common and recent Venmo scams, the warning signs to look out for, and how you can avoid them.
1. Unexpected or “mistake” money transfers
Fraudsters find your Venmo account details and send money with inconspicuous notes attached. For example, one Reddit user received $30 from a random person with a note reading, “golf.” In scenarios like these, the sender will send a message minutes later saying that it was a mistake and ask the recipient to refund their money.
The catch is that scammers have funded their Venmo accounts with stolen credit card or bank account details. When you send them “their” money back, and the unauthorized payment from the stolen card is reported, the money will be taken out of your account.
What to do: Don’t send back money to strangers. Venmo’s official documentation says that users should gather and share any information on “accidental transfers” with Venmo support. You can also block Venmo users who are bothering you.
2. Venmo impersonation calls and texts
Scammers impersonate Venmo employees — such as customer support or tech support — and attempt to get you to give up your account login credentials and other sensitive information.
These scams occur via phone calls or text messages and follow a similar pattern. Someone contacts you out of the blue claiming to be from Venmo and says that there has been suspicious activity on your account or a “sign-in attempt from a new device.”
Next, they either ask you to click on a link (leading to a fake website that steals your login details), request personal information to “prove” your identity, or they send you an authentication code and ask you to read it back to them.
In the latter scenario, hackers have already found your password on the Dark Web or after a data breach, and the authentication code you’re supplying them gives them full access to your Venmo account.
What to do: Never supply anyone with your Venmo login details. You can report Venmo impersonation scams directly to the company by forwarding screenshots and details of the scam to phishing@venmo.com.
3. Fake job onboarding fee scams
Job scams almost always include some request for payment — either for training, equipment, or fees — with the promise that you’ll be paid back. Scammers then send you a fake paper check or transfer (which is funded by stolen accounts) and request that you send a portion of it back via Venmo.
Similar to the “mistaken” money transfer scam, when the fraud is discovered, the amount will be withdrawn from your account to cover it.
For example, one victim on Reddit said their daughter was “hired” as a graphic designer and was sent a check for over $5000 for equipment and supplies, without ever speaking to someone from the company over the phone.
What to do: Look for the warning signs of a job scam. Legitimate companies won’t ask you to send them money for a job, nor will they refund money sent via a paper check.
4. Venmo phishing emails
Scammers send emails that look like official Venmo emails, which usually contain malicious links to fake websites or include phone numbers that directly connect you with scammers. If you click on the link, you’ll be taken to a fake Venmo login page designed to steal your personal and financial information.
One Reddit user received multiple fake emails with payment requests for $99.99 that looked like they were coming from Venmo. In reality, scammers were trying to get the user to click on malicious links.
What to do: Double-check sender information. All official Venmo emails come from an @venmo.com email address. Scammers may use spoofed or similar domains (such as “@venmo.payment-requests.com” or “@venma.com”) to try and fool you. Venmo will never ask for personal details via email.
5. Rental deposit scams
Cybercriminals prey on renters by posting listings for fake apartments and homes for rent, offering virtual or even in-person tours, and then ask for an upfront deposit via Venmo. In reality, they’ve either faked the whole thing or have illegal access to a home and will disappear once they have your deposit.
What to do: Beware of too-good-to-be-true rentals. Scammers create a sense of urgency by listing below-market-rate rentals and pressuring you to pay a deposit.
6. Fake invoices from companies
Fraudsters impersonate well-known companies and send fake invoices or payment receipts via email or the Venmo app, with the hope that you’ll either send them money, call them, or click on malicious links.
In one example, a victim received an email claiming to be from Venmo saying they were going to be charged $271.89 for a washing machine from Walmart — with a phone number to call if they had any issues or questions.
What to do:Never use phone numbers listed in unsolicited emails. Instead, confirm payments with your bank directly by checking your online balance or by calling the number on the back of your card.
7. Romance scams
Romance scams occur when scammers pose as love interests online, build real connections with their victims, and then ask for money or gifts. Romance scammers often manufacture urgent crises that require help — such as sudden medical issues or emergencies relating to their children. Using Venmo is a common way for romance scammers to receive payments, as it’s fast and easy to use.
What to do: Don’t send money to people you don’t know. Romance scammers use social engineering tactics to trick you into thinking you have a real connection. The moment an online connection starts asking for money, you can be sure it’s a scam.
8. “Free money” texts and emails
Fraudsters know most people are enticed by offers of free money or giveaways, so they craft scams that promise big returns or rewards that require very little work.
There are a few variations of the “free money” scam, including:
- “Account limit reached” messages. One target received an email claiming that someone was sending them money that was “over the limit of their account” and that they would receive a bonus if they sent extra money (to the scammer) that would “upgrade” their account.
- “Money circle” investment scams. These scams involve promises of huge returns for small investments. For example, someone may claim to have access to a special investment or cryptocurrency exchange and offer you special returns if you bring more people in.
- Cryptocurrency investment scams. Venmo allows you to buy and sell cryptocurrencies. Scammers may claim to have special knowledge or be offering giveaways or fake prizes of cryptocurrencies on social media.
What to do: Remember the golden rule of fraud prevention: If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don’t trust any “investment” that guarantees a return.
9. Hacked friend accounts requesting money
Hackers who gain access to someone’s Venmo, social media, or email accounts may target their contacts and friends with money request scams. Because these requests are coming from the account of someone you know, you’ll be more inclined to send them money — even if it’s going to an unfamiliar Venmo account.
Hackers may also look at your public Venmo transactions and create fake profiles to impersonate friends or people to whom you regularly send money. It’s a good idea to keep your Venmo privacy settings updated so that your transactions are private and not shared in the public feed.
What to do: Check with your friends directly before sending them money. If you get a strange request for payment from someone you know, confirm it by calling the person and speaking with them directly.
10. Marketplace scams
Scammers post hard-to-find or below-market-value items on platforms like Facebook Marketplace and OfferUp and ask you to use Venmo to send a deposit to “hold” the item. These scams are common for pet deposits, concert tickets, and other items that sell quickly and can garner significant attention online.
Venmo does offer a Purchase Protection Program, but it only applies to Venmo payments made to an authorized business profile or if you tag a qualifying purchase to a personal profile as a payment — for example, if “what you bought isn't delivered, arrives broken, or is just plain wrong.”
Venmo charges a fee for personal profiles that accept payments for goods, so scammers may ask you not to tag it as a purchase in order to save money. This is a major red flag.
What to do: Try to conduct purchases in person to inspect items. Online-only purchases from individuals are always risky. Don’t get pulled in by low prices or hard-to-find items.
11. Strangers asking to use your phone
In this less-sophisticated scam, fraudsters ask to use your phone to make a call or look something up, and then access your Venmo account and send themselves money. In one example, criminals targeted over 50 Lyft drivers by asking to change the address for their trip and then clearing out their payment app accounts.
What to do: Never let strangers use your phone; and set up a payment passcode for your Venmo app. This requires a second layer of security before you can make payments — such as a fingerprint scan, facial recognition, or Touch ID (on iOS).
12. Overpayment scams and fake payment confirmations
If you’re selling something online and accept payments via Venmo, scammers may send you a fake message showing that they’ve sent you money. But when you check your Venmo account, the payment doesn’t appear. The scammers then accuse you of scamming them and try to pressure you into sending them money.
Another version of this scam involves scammers overpaying for a product and then asking for a refund of the difference. But their original payment is fraudulent and you’ll be out the full amount, plus what you send them.
It’s a good idea not to use Venmo to sell items to strangers — especially if you aren’t able to meet in person.
What to do: Contact Venmo’s customer service directly if someone overpays for a product or service on the platform.
How To Protect Your Venmo Account From Scammers
The best way to protect yourself from Venmo scams is to only exchange payments with people you trust and know personally. If you need to use Venmo in other situations, follow these safety tips:
- Lock your Venmo account with a PIN or Touch ID. You can find these features under Preferences and then Face ID & Passcode (iOS) or Passcode code & biometric unlock (Android). It’s also a good idea not to lend your phone to strangers.
- Set up multi-factor authentication (2FA or MFA). This way, Venmo has to send you a code to verify a login on an unfamiliar device. Here’s the company’s information on how to set up 2FA on your Venmo account.
- Never share your Venmo login, personal details, or account information with anyone. Venmo support staff will not ask for sensitive information in a text message or email.
- Link your credit card to your Venmo account — not your bank account. In the event that something happens, it’s far easier to cancel a credit card (and file a chargeback) than try to recoup the damages from your bank.
- Update your privacy settings on Venmo so that all transactions are private. This protects you from scammers posing as friends and contacts.
- Never accept payments from people you don’t know. Report and block any account that randomly requests money from you. If you receive unexpected requests or payments from people you know, contact them directly and confirm that they are the actual senders.
- Check that emails come from an official “Venmo.com” email address. Verification codes from Venmo should also only come from a five-digit number, 86753.
- Contact Venmo’s customer service if you think you’re dealing with a scammer. The same goes for if you need technical or customer support. Use official contact information only — not phone numbers in emails or texts.
- Don’t ship or give an item to the recipient before you’ve received payment and can confirm the transaction is legitimate.
- Regularly review your credit report and bank statements. Venmo scammers are almost always after access to your financial accounts. An identity theft protection service like Aura can monitor your credit report and bank statements for you and alert you to any signs of fraud.
- Don’t click on links or attachments in suspicious emails or texts. Scammers often hide malware or links to fake websites in phishing emails and texts. You might also want to consider protecting your devices with a cybersecurity suite.
- Sign up for a credit and transaction monitoring service. Aura monitors your bank and credit card accounts for signs of fraud and suspicious activity. This way, you can shut down scammers before they do too much damage.
📚 Learn More: How To Get Your Money Back From a Venmo Scam →
What To Do If You Were the Victim of a Venmo Scam
While Venmo makes it simple and convenient to send money to family and friends, it can leave you vulnerable to identity theft and fraud if you don’t take the proper precautions.
If you believe you have been scammed, stop all contact with the scammer, document the crime, and freeze your credit with all three bureaus.
Then, follow these steps (in order) for the best chance of minimizing the damage and getting your money back:
- Secure your Venmo account. Update your Venmo account password and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your account.
- Report the scam directly to Venmo’s security support. If you’ve received a fake Venmo email, you can forward it to phishing@venmo.com. If you receive a fake text, email a screenshot of the text to support@venmo.com. Then delete the email or text from your account.
- Contact your financial institution’s fraud department. Inform them that your linked accounts and cards could be at risk and ask them to cancel them and issue new ones to you.
- File a fraud alert with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Report details of the fraud by visiting ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If you gave up sensitive personal information, you should also file an identity theft affidavit at IdentityTheft.gov.
- Contact local law enforcement (if necessary). A police report is often necessary to dispute fraudulent transactions. You’ll want to share your FTC identity theft report with law enforcement.
- Monitor your accounts and identity for signs of identity theft. Identity thieves can wait weeks, months, or even years to strike. Once you’ve been victimized, you need to constantly monitor your accounts and identity for suspicious activity.
Payment services like Venmo are convenient — but that convenience can put you at risk of getting scammed or even becoming a victim of identity theft.
Aura’s award-winning identity theft protection solution monitors all of your most sensitive personal information, online accounts, and finances for signs of fraud. If a Venmo scammer tries to access your accounts or finances, Aura can help you take action before it’s too late.
Plus, every Aura account includes 24/7 U.S.-based support and up to $5 million in identity theft insurance coverage. You can even try Aura free for 14 days to see if it’s right for you.
Venmo Scams FAQ
How can I tell if an email or text is really from Venmo?
Ensure that all emails come from the official “@Venmo.com” email address. Venmo will only send verification codes to your phone from a five-digit number, 86753.
Will Venmo ever call me and ask for my password or a verification code?
No. Venmo support will never call you and ask for login details, authentication codes, or personal information. If someone asks you for this information, they’re trying to scam you.
Will Venmo refund my money if I was scammed?
In most cases, Venmo will not refund transactions that were made by an account’s authorized user (i.e., your account wasn’t hacked and you made the transfer yourself) — even if the funds were sent to a scammer. Instead, you’re better off contacting your bank to dispute fraud from your linked account or card. There is no way to cancel a Venmo payment once it’s been sent.
The one exception is if you make a payment to a verified business (or flag a payment as a purchase), and it falls under the Venmo Purchase Protection terms and limitations.
Does Venmo's Purchase Protection work if I’m buying something from a stranger?
Only in specific cases. According to the company’s user agreement, Purchase Protection is only available for “Qualifying Payments.” This includes:
- Venmo Debit Card and Teen Debit Card purchases
- Purchases of goods and services from authorized merchants
- Payments sent by using the Pay and Request feature in your Venmo account that are sent to business profiles or that are identified as for goods and services
If you’ve made a Qualifying Payment, Venmo’s Purchase Protection Program can protect you against items you pay for but don’t receive, along with items that are significantly different from what you ordered.
You must have a Venmo account in good standing and have previously attempted to resolve the issue directly with the seller before you can apply for Purchase Protection.
Is it safer to link a credit card or a debit card to Venmo?
It’s almost always better to link a credit card than a debit card to payment services like Venmo. This is because credit cards include more protections against fraud, such as zero-dollar liability policies and easier chargebacks.
