If the real user files a credit card or fraud claim, the money sent to the scammer cannot be recovered. This makes it harder for banks to catch scammers who are using stolen credit cards or bank accounts. While Venmo is mostly safe to use (if you follow certain precautions), Venmo users have become attractive targets for scammers for a few reasons.įirst, Venmo transfers appear almost instantly - but aren’t normally verified for a few days. Venmo scams are schemes that trick Venmo users into sending scammers money or personal information, such as bank account details or Social Security numbers (SSN). In this guide, we’ll review the most common Venmo scams, how they work, and how you can protect yourself. If you’re using Venmo to pay for goods and services, you need to be cautious. But what most people don’t realize is that they lack the same level of fraud protection you get when using other payment methods.Īccording to the latest Better Business Bureau (BBB) Online Purchase Scam Report : Victims of Venmo scams lost an average of $700 - the second highest of all payment services. Venmo - and other payment apps like Zelle or Cash App - are convenient ways to send and receive money. But after sending multiple deposits via Venmo to both the breeder and a shady “delivery' company” she realized the truth - there was no dog, and no chance of a refund. They even asked detailed questions about the woman’s home to decide whether or not she was a good candidate for one of their dogs. The breeder’s website and emails all seemed legitimate. Instead, she ended up losing almost $1,000 to a Venmo scam. When an Oklahoma woman reached out to a dog breeder online, she thought she’d found the perfect pet for her family.

Transfer limit venmo