Venmo is an online payment system based in the United States.
About Venmo scam texts, emails and phone calls
Venmo scams are usually sent through email or text. These scams are typically designed to panic a recipient into thinking something suspicious, unwanted or malicious is happening to their Venmo account, but can also claim the recipient has been selected to win a prize.
Scammers will use this panic to trick a recipient into compromising their security by clicking a link to a spoof website or downloading harmful files. These scam messages can take on many guises, such as –
- The claim that someone has tried to access the recipient’s Venmo account
- The claim that the Venmo account will be disabled or suspended over violations of security concerns
- The claim that a new payee was added to the recipient’s Venmo account
- The claim that the recipient has authorised a payment to another person via their Venmo account
- The claim that a charge has been made against the recipient’s Venmo account
In all the above cases, these messages are design to panic a victim into compromising their security by clicking a link in the message that leads to a spoof website or downloading harmful files.
Some real world examples of Venmo text scams are below.
The below text claims an unauthorised transaction has been made on the recipient’s Venmo account.
Venmo Msg: We have seen an unrecognised transaction in your account.
LINK
The below text scams are designed to lure a recipient to spammy data harvesting websites using the false claim they will win a high valued gift.
Dead Venmo User, You have been selected to receive a free gift worth at least $100 for a 2 minute survey
LINK
Dear Venmo Customer, You have been selected to receive a free gift valued at least $150 for a 4 minute survey.
LINK
Report a Venmo text and email scam.
Venmo is owned by PayPal, meaning you can report scams to the PayPal spoof web address.
How to report a Venmo scam text?
Details about scam text messages can be forwarded to PayPal on spoof@paypal.com
How to report a Venmo scam email?
Scam emails and phishing emails can be forwarded to PayPal on spoof@paypal.com
If you're in the UK, you can ALSO report scams...
- Scam emails can be forwarded to The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) at report@phishing.gov.uk
- Scam texts can be forwarded to your phone carrier on 7726
- All types of cybercrime and fraud can be reported to the police via ActionFraud by calling 0300 123 2040 (or 101 in Scotland) or by using ActionFraud's online reporting tool here.
If you're in the USA, you can ALSO report scams...
- Scam texts can be forwarded to your phone carrier on 7726
- All types of cybercrime and fraud can be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by using their complaint assistant here or by calling 1-877-382-4357 (9am-8pm ET)
From a different country? Click here.
You can also forward SMS or email scams to us at scam@thatsfake.com
Avoiding Venmo text and email scams
The best course of action, as with nearly every phishing scam conducted through email or text message is to simply avoid clicking links in these messages, and don’t download any files they may link to. You should also never reply.
If you’re unsure whether a text or email is from Venmo, log directly into the Venmo app or website instead of clicking links or calling a phone number within a message. If Venmo need anything from you, you can find out once you’ve logged in to your account.