You might be in a family function or your office, and you need money to give your friend or any of your family members, but you forgot your wallet; not to worry, the Venmo app can do that for you. The app offers a quick and easy way to send money.
Venmo app is a peer-to-peer payment system. The app is designed to simplify money transfers between relatives and friends.
I know you will be wondering if you can’t be scammed in this app or how to be totally secured from hackers.
Well, you can be scammed, but depending on how you use it because Venmo app is a popular app many people use.
So, stay with me till the end because I will be showing you the latest Venmo scams and how it works, how to protect yourself from hackers, and also how you can set up your Venmo account.
But before we continue, we employ you to go through the table of content for an overview of what to expect in this article.
We will also learn how to secure venmo app from scam and hackers.
Table of contents
What Is Venmo?
Venmo is an application available on Android and iOS devices. It is designed to simplify money transfers, and it works about the same way as an electronic banking transaction.
The app works well for exchanging money between relatives and friends; many people use it when selling goods.
Venmo is owned by PayPal and works similar to this service. One main difference between the two is that companies heavily use PayPal.
Venmo, on the other hand, is designed specifically for money transfers between people who trust each other.
Unfortunately, the app is now the center of several fraudulent transactions.
How Does Venmo Works?
Venmo is an app that functions as a peer-to-peer payment system where you can easily and quickly send money to family, friends, or anyone in your contacts.
As mentioned, the app is specifically designed for money transfers between people who trust each other.
But as Venmo has grown in popularity, many people now use the app as a payment system, selling goods to people they don’t know.
Not knowing that using Venmo is dealing with people you don’t know might result in them taking advantage of you and using the app to steal your goods or money.
If you become a victim of Venmo fraud, the company might not offer buyer or seller protection. Because they have made it known that the service “should be used between friends and family.”
Notice Title
Read this: How To Fill Out A Money Order Step By Step
What Are Scams On Venmo And How It Works?
Venmo scams take many different shapes and forms; some potential scammers are easier to pinpoint than others.
When using this app, just be careful because most scammers know how the app works and how to use the system to their advantage. And unfortunately, some innocent people suffer the consequences.
Therefore take a look at a few common Venmo scams.
#1. Buying items with stolen credit cards
The Internet has made it easy to sell things like cell phones, electronics, computers, designer bags, etc.
You have your pick of online marketplaces to list goods sales, and with so many money transfer services, getting your cash has never been easier. Just know that scammers can use Venmo to steal your items. This is how these hackers work:
- The hacker responds to your ad and expresses their intent to pay for goods with Venmo.
- They send a payment and pick up the item soon thereafter.
- As the seller, you think the transaction is over and done with. But you don’t know that the scammer funded their Venmo account with a stolen credit card or bank information.
Venmo eventually discovers this fraud and, at this point, reverses charges made with the stolen information if:
The money is still in your Venmo account, the company takes it back, and you’re left without payment for sold goods.
But if the money is no longer in your Venmo account, you can pay it back.
#2. Text Phishing
Phishing doesn’t take place only through email. It can also take place through text messages. And some Venmo scammers use this method to get another user’s account information.
The scammer sends a text message using the company’s fonts and colors to make the message appear authentic. Then the message will require the user to follow a link and enter personal information to verify their account.
Now the problem is that the link redirects to a fraudulent site.
So, if you fall for this scam and enter your credit card or bank account number, the scammer uses the opportunity to steal your information and use it for fraudulent activity.
#3. In-person Text
Some scammers are bold and will steal your money in-person.
While you’re out running errands or probably not doing anything, some random person will approach and ask to use your cell phone. They might give a sob story about their cell phone dying or something else.
The scammer pretends to make a call, and when no one picks up, they ask to text a friend or family member using your phone.
If this person seems trustworthy, you might allow it. But in most cases, it’s all a ruse.
Instead of sending a text, they’ll open your Venmo app and transfer funds from your account to theirs.
#4. Mysterious Money In The App
You should be very alert if money mysterious enters your Venmo account.
This is how it works: A hacker will send you money using a stolen credit card or bank account number. Next, they’ll send a message saying the payment was a mistake and ask you to refund the money.
This is where the problem falls in. Don’t send also; Venmo will eventually find the scam when the original victim contacts their bank to report the fraudulent activity. Venmo takes back all money linked to the fraudulent activity.
The best thing is to leave the money in your account. But if you refund the money to the scammer “before” Venmo reverses the transaction, you’re on the hook for the funds.
If it was genuinely sent by mistake, the sender could sort out the details with Venmo to have the transaction reversed. If it’s fraud and Venmo returns the money, the company will deduct it from your account balance.
How Can You Secure Yourself From Venmo Hackers
Hackers win by building trust in their victims and appealing to their emotions. Always keep your guard up to avoid issues.
To totally secure yourself from hackers and protect your account, you can follow these steps by Checking your bank or credit card statements thoroughly for unauthorized transactions and then dispute these with your bank.
Furthermore, you can also prevent your Venmo account from hackers by following the steps mentioned below.
- Set up multifactor authentication: It will send a code to your phone or email address to verify the login when Venmo doesn’t recognize the device accessing your account.
- Do not let anyone use your phone: If a stranger approaches and asks to use your phone to send a text, don’t give them your phone. But if need be, you can enter the recipient’s phone number yourself and allow the person to dictate their message, and you enter the text message while you’re holding the phone.
- Don’t use Venmo to sell goods: When selling goods, chances are you’re dealing with people you don’t know. You don’t know their character, morals, or their intentions.
- Leave mysterious money in your account: If money mysteriously appears in your Venmo account from an unknown sender, don’t send it back, even if the sender requests it back or Venmo tells you to. Instead, it would help if you asked Venmo to investigate the case and return the money. Then, close the Venmo account.
- Don’t click links asking for personal information: If you receive a text or email asking for personal information that appears to come from Venmo, ignore it.
Notice Title
Also, read: How To Make Money From My iPhone With 7 Apps in 2023
What To Do If Someone Scam You On Venmo
If you are the victim of a Venmo scam, your ability to recover any lost merchandise or money may be limited.
That’s because Venmo does not protect buyers and sellers. The company says that the service is to be used only between friends, people who trust each other, and specific merchants authorized by Venmo.
So, if you are scammed or your account is hacked? You might not get financial relief from Venmo. But you can try.
Venmo, on its website, does say you can report unauthorized transactions to [email protected] or by calling 1-855-812-4430.
You can also take these steps if you are a victim of hackers or if someone has stolen your personal and financial information.
Step 1: Order copies of your credit reports. You are entitled to a free copy of your annual credit report from each of the three national credit bureaus of Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
Check the report for any unusual activity; if you don’t recognize these accounts, it could be a sign that someone has used your information to open financial accounts in your name.
So, you can contact the credit bureaus if you see any suspicious or unfamiliar activity on your reports.
Step 2: Check your credit card statements for any unusual transaction. Contact your credit card provider if you see transactions you haven’t made.
Step 3: You can report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission here. The FTC website also offers a recovery plan.
How Can You Set up Your Venmo Account?
Signing up for your account is simple. Just follow the steps below.
Step 1: Download the appropriate app for your smartphone. Venmo is available only on iOS and Android.
Step 2: Choose your preferred method of signup. You can either use Facebook or email to sign up.
Step 3: Then verify your account by entering your phone number. After that, you will receive a 4-digit code to enter in the specified box to verify your account.
Step 4: Venmo will prompt you to add a picture once you are verified. You can add a picture of your current Facebook profile picture. Venmo will assign you a username based on the information you have given.
Step 5: Click done in the right corner.
Step 6: Next, Venmo will allow you to sync your Facebook account so that you can see which of your friends use Venmo. If you choose to do this, click Allow when prompted.
Step 7: Also, it will attempt to sync to your contacts. Choose Allow if you’d like to sync your contacts.
Step 8: Lastly, choose whether Venmo will send you notifications regarding your account. After all this process, then you are good to go. You are now ready to send and receive money.
CONCLUSION
Venmo app is designed specifically for money transfers between people who trust each other and not people you don’t know. The app also offers a fast and simple way to transfer money.
So, the best way to protect yourself and your account from hackers is to use the app for its intended purpose.
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