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Tools · Spotting scams

Payment app scams (Zelle, Venmo, Cash App)

Sending money by app is like handing over cash: once you send it to a scammer, it's hard to get back. Only pay people you know, double-check who you're sending to, never "send money to yourself" because a caller said so, and report fast if it goes wrong.

Easy10 minFreeChecked October 3, 2026

You'll need

  • Your payment app
  • Your bank's phone number from the back of your card

What to know

  1. Know why scammers want app payments. Once you send money to them, it's hard to get it back. Source: FTC1 Zelle says it's made for paying friends, family, co-workers and others you trust. Source: Zelle4
  2. Lock the app. Turn on a PIN or multi-factor authentication, and never give your sign-in details to anyone who contacts you. Source: FTC1
  3. Check the name before you hit send. Double-check the recipient's information so the money goes to the right person. Source: FTC1 A typo in a phone number can send money to a stranger.
  4. Never pay to collect a prize. Don't send a payment to claim a prize or sweepstakes winnings. Source: FTC1
  5. Call before you pay a "friend" in trouble. Scammers pretend to be a loved one in an emergency. If a request is unexpected, talk to the person directly to make sure it's really them and not someone who hacked their account. Source: FTC1
  6. Hang up on "your bank" asking you to move money. If a caller says there's fraud and you must send money to yourself or to a "safe" account to stop it, it's a scam. Hang up and call the number on the back of your card.
  7. Move your balance to your bank. Money people send you lands in your app balance first. Source: FTC1 FDIC insurance generally doesn't cover money sitting in a payment app, so moving it to an insured bank or credit union account is the simple fix. Source: CFPB3
Watch out Paying a stranger for something you haven't seen is how most app scams start. For buying from people you don't know, a credit card has legal protections an app payment doesn't. Source: FTC

Common app scams

They say…What's really going on
"Oops, I sent you money by mistake. Send it back?"The payment may be fake or from a stolen card. Tell them to ask the app to reverse it.
"You won! Just pay the fee."No real prize charges a fee to collect. Source: FTC1
"This is your bank. Send money to yourself to block fraud."Your bank won't ask you to move money. Hang up and call the number on your card.
"I'll pay first, then you ship." (a stranger)Fake payment notices are common. Check your actual app balance first. Source: FTC5

Rows marked FTC are from the FTC; the others are our plain-language advice.

If you call your bank

Hi, I sent a payment today to someone I now think is a scammer. Here's the amount, the time and the name it went to. Can you try to stop or reverse it, and what else should I do to protect my account?

A text to send a "friend" asking for money

Hey, did you just ask me for money on the app? Call me first, I want to make sure it's really you.

See it done

Video by ABC 7 Chicago Local TV news

Zelle scams rising: How to avoid losing thousands of dollars

Watch on YouTube: Zelle scams rising: How to avoid losing thousands of dollars

2021 · Checked October 3, 2026

A Chicago news story from 2021 about Zelle scams, including the fake bank call. The app screens have changed since, but the tricks haven’t.

Video won't load at school or work? No problem. Everything you need is in the steps; the video's just a bonus. Watch it on YouTube later.

If it doesn't work

  • Paid a scammer with Venmo, Cash App or PayPal? Report it to the app right away. Source: FTC2 Cash App: profile, then Support. Venmo: profile, then Get Help. Source: FTC1
  • Paid with Zelle or a bank transfer? Report it to your bank or credit union right away and ask them to reverse the payment. Source: FTC2
  • Paid with a credit card linked to the app? Report it to the card issuer too. Source: FTC2 Then report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. Source: FTC1
  • Gave someone your sign-in code? Change your password now and turn on two-step sign-in. See Turning on two-step sign-in.

Good to know

The details, if you want them. Tap a line to open it.

Fraud vs. scam

Zelle notes that fraud (someone using your account without permission) and scams (you're tricked into sending money) are different, and the protections may differ. Source: Zelle4 Report either one fast.

Take it with you

Printable cardDownload card (PDF)

Sources

  1. Federal Trade Commission Mobile payment apps: how to avoid a scam when you use one
  2. Federal Trade Commission What to do if you were scammed
  3. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Is the money I keep in my payment app safe?
  4. Zelle Pay it safe
  5. Federal Trade Commission Selling stuff online? Here's how to avoid a scam

Lesson T4.4 · Last checked October 3, 2026 against the sources listed.

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