You open your inbox and see a message from Venmo asking you to “verify your account”. What does it mean? It could be a Venmo scam email, one designed to steal your personal information or drain your funds. Let’s dive into the top Venmo email scams you should watch out for in 2025, and how to stay safe!
What Is a Venmo Scam Email?
A Venmo scam email is a phishing message designed to trick you into revealing your personal information, passwords, clicking malicious links, or sending money to scammers. These emails often use urgent language, official-looking logos, and familiar wording to seem legit.
They can take many forms, from Venmo phishing links asking you to “verify your account” to a Venmo scam asking for email access to steal your identity.
You might wonder, does Venmo ask for email confirmations or password resets via email? While Venmo sometimes sends legitimate emails, they will never ask for sensitive information or payment outside of their official app.
So, what is Venmo email communication supposed to look like? Real Venmo emails come from a verified domain (like @venmo.com) and won’t pressure you into taking action immediately.
How Do Venmo Scams Work?
Sometimes, someone can scam on Venmo, especially if you’re not familiar with common tricks. Scammers might send fake Venmo payment screenshots, initiate false chargebacks, or trick you into thinking you owe money.
With over 62.8 million active Venmo users in the U.S. as of 2023, roughly 22.3% of the U.S. population, the platform has become a massive target for fraud.
Some of the most common Venmo scams involve phishing emails, transaction manipulation, fake sales, or too-good-to-be-true offers. Compared to other scams, like the Pegasus Spyware Scam that secretly infiltrates devices, the classic Nigerian Prince Scam promising riches in exchange for upfront fees, or the Geek Squad Email Scam tricking people with fake subscription renewals, Venmo scams rely more heavily on manipulating trust in instant, peer-to-peer transactions. Because of the platform’s speed and casual use, it’s easier for scammers to convince users to act quickly before verifying the details.
Transaction Manipulation Scams
Scammers often use sneaky tactics to make it seem like a legitimate transaction took place when it didn’t. Look at some major types:
Fake invoice or payment request scams
You might get a random invoice or payment request claiming you owe money for a product or service you never bought. Scammers count on you being confused—and quickly paying to avoid late fees or penalties. Always double-check the transaction in your Venmo app before responding.
Free Money Scams
Getting a random message or email saying you’ve won free money sounds exciting, but it’s a classic Venmo scam email. Scammers might send a fake Venmo notification or even show a small deposit, asking you to verify your account by sending money back.
Remember: free money scams are just traps to steal your cash.
Overpayment or accidental transfer fraud
In this scam, a scammer accidentally sends you money and asks for it back. What really happens is they use a stolen account or fake payment that eventually gets reversed, leaving you responsible for the missing funds after you’ve already refunded them.
Impersonation & Communication Scams
Scammers love to impersonate trusted sources, and Venmo is no exception. By pretending to be someone you know or official support, they try to steal money or personal information.
Impersonation of Venmo Support
One of the most dangerous scams involves impersonating Venmo support. You might receive an email or message claiming to be from Venmo’s customer service, asking you to verify your account details or reset your password. These messages often look legitimate, but they’re designed to steal your sensitive information.
Note: Venmo support will never ask for your password or personal details through email or text. If you receive messages claiming to be from Venmo or another service (like UPS text scams), it’s likely a Venmo scam email.
In-person Call Scams
In some cases, scammers will take things a step further and call you in person or via phone to pressure you into sending money. They may claim to be from Venmo or other financial institutions, using high-pressure tactics to convince you to transfer funds or provide account details. If you ever get a call like this, hang up immediately and contact Venmo directly through the official app or website.
Romance Scams
Romance scams are on the rise, with scammers targeting users on dating apps and social media platforms. They’ll build a relationship with you and then manipulate you into sending money through Venmo, often claiming emergencies or needing help to come visit.
Fake Prize or Upgrade Fee Scams
Scammers are experts at offering fake prizes or claiming you need to pay an upgrade fee to claim your winnings. After convincing you that you’ve won, they’ll direct you to send money via Venmo, only to vanish after receiving your payment.
This type of PayNow scam and OfferUp is becoming increasingly common, with fraudsters exploiting the convenience and speed of digital payment methods to vanish.
Relationship & Trust-Based Scams
Once scammers establish trust or a relationship with their victim, they’ll manipulate emotions and rely on the bond to exploit their targets.
Romance Scams
As mentioned earlier, romance scams are a type of relationship scam, but they are so common they deserve their own section. If you’re in an online relationship, always verify who you’re talking to before sending money, no matter how convincing their story may sound.
Requests to Move Conversations Off Venmo
If someone you don’t know asks you to move conversations off Venmo (to text, email, or another platform), that’s a huge red flag. Scammers often try to get you out of the secure Venmo environment, where transactions can be more easily tracked, to manipulate you into sending money outside of the platform.
Marketplace Scams
Marketplace scams are a common issue for Venmo users, especially when buying or selling items through online marketplaces or social media. In these scams, buyers or sellers may use Venmo to complete a seemingly legitimate transaction, only for one party to back out or disappear with the money. These scams often involve sellers who claim that they’ve shipped the item but fail to deliver, or buyers who cancel the payment after receiving the item.
Can You Get Scammed with Venmo in Singapore/Malaysia?
Can you get scammed with Venmo in Southeast Asia? Absolutely.
Although Venmo is more widely used in the U.S., it’s still possible to fall victim to scams in Singapore and Malaysia, especially through phishing emails or fraudulent payment requests. Scammers often target users who are unfamiliar with local Venmo regulations or who haven’t enabled extra security features. For example, users may receive fake emails with links to Venmo phishing sites pretending to be venmo.com, asking for personal details or money transfers.
If you live in Singapore or Malaysia, stay alert to any suspicious Venmo-related emails asking you to verify your information. That fraudulent Venmo scam email may contain incorrect website addresses or fake login pages. Before clicking any link or sharing personal info, double-check the URL and confirm it’s the legitimate Venmo.com domain.
Using a VPN to Avoid Venmo Phishing Scams
A great way to protect yourself from Venmo phishing scams is by using a VPN!
A VPN adds an extra layer of security that helps prevent hackers from intercepting your login information or redirecting you to fake websites. If you’re traveling or accessing your account from a public Wi-Fi network, using a VPN makes it much harder for cybercriminals to steal your personal information. Free VPN is a reputable VPN service to browse securely, especially when using Venmo or accessing financial accounts.
How to Report Venmo Scams Effectively
Venmo’s official platform allows you to file complaints directly, and they provide a clear process for reporting issues related to unauthorized payments or phishing attempts.
To report Venmo scams, follow these steps:
- Open the Venmo app or website.
- Go to your transaction history.
- Select the transaction or Venmo scam email in question.
- Follow the prompts to report fraudulent activity.
So, does Venmo protect against scams?
While Venmo offers security measures like two-factor authentication and fraud monitoring, no system is foolproof. Always double-check any transactions and report suspicious activity immediately.
Bottom Line
Venmo scam email schemes can be tricky, but now you know how to protect yourself. Stay vigilant, protect your account with extra security, and if in doubt, contact Venmo support immediately. Stay safe, and always verify before sending money!
FAQs
Q1. Can I give someone my email for Venmo?
While you can share your email address with someone for Venmo, it’s important to be cautious. Venmo allows users to send payments using just an email address, but sharing your email without verifying who you’re dealing with can expose you to potential scams. Never give out your email to strangers.
Q2. What to Do If You Clicked a Scam Email Link?
If you’ve accidentally clicked on a Venmo scam email link, it’s important to act quickly.
- Change your Venmo password immediately to prevent unauthorized access.
- Enable two-factor authentication for an added layer of protection.
- Check your account for any unusual transactions and report them to Venmo through the app or website.
