Common Cash App Scams and How to Spot Them

Cash App is a peer-to-peer payment service for money transfers. Like any popular financial platform, it attracts various fraudulent schemes. Understanding common scams is important for users to protect their funds and personal information. Awareness and caution are key defenses against falling victim to deceptive practices.

Common Cash App Scams and How to Spot Them

Scammers often impersonate Cash App customer support, contacting users through unsolicited calls, emails, or text messages. They claim to detect suspicious account activity or offer assistance, aiming to steal login credentials or personal details. Red flags include unsolicited contact, requests for your PIN or sign-in code, or demands for payment to “verify” your account. Legitimate Cash App support will never ask for sensitive information or require you to send money to resolve an issue.

Giveaway and phishing scams lure users with promises of large sums of money in exchange for a small “fee” or personal information. These offers often involve requests for banking details outside the app or directing users to suspicious websites. Be wary of any offer that guarantees significant returns for minimal effort or requires an upfront payment to receive a prize.

The accidental payment reversal scam involves a scammer sending money to a user, then requesting it back, only to reverse their original payment through their bank later. This leaves the user out of pocket after sending their own funds. Unsolicited payments from unknown users, especially those with urgent requests to send money back immediately, indicate this scam. If you receive an unexpected payment, use Cash App’s official refund feature rather than sending a new payment directly.

Purchase scams involve fraudsters requesting payment for goods or services that are never delivered. These often occur when sellers pressure buyers to pay outside Cash App’s secure features or offer unusually low prices. A lack of verifiable seller information or insistence on immediate payment without proper verification should raise suspicion. Cash App does not offer buyer protection for peer-to-peer transactions, making it risky to pay for goods from unverified sellers.

Protecting Yourself on Cash App

Activating security features within Cash App helps prevent unauthorized access. Users should enable a Security Lock, which requires a PIN, Touch ID, or Face ID for every transaction. This adds an extra layer of authentication, ensuring that even if someone gains access to your device, they cannot easily make payments from your account.

Implementing multifactor authentication (MFA) helps safeguard your account. Cash App automatically sends a one-time code to your registered phone or email for logins. Users can further enhance security by using authenticator apps like Google Authenticator, if available for specific Cash App services, which generate time-sensitive codes. This means a password alone is insufficient for unauthorized access.

Always verify the recipient’s $Cashtag, phone number, or email before sending money to ensure funds go to the intended person. Scammers often create similar usernames to trick users into sending money to the wrong account. Avoid sending money to unknown or untrusted individuals, especially for purchases where you cannot verify goods or services beforehand, as Cash App payments are instant and irreversible.

Be vigilant against unsolicited requests for money or personal information. Official Cash App support will never ask for your sign-in code, PIN, full card number, or Social Security number. Any communication demanding these details or instructing you to download remote access software is a scam. Always engage with Cash App support only through official channels found within the app or on their verified website.

What to Do If You Suspect a Scam

If you suspect a scam, immediately contact Cash App support. Report suspicious activity directly through the app by navigating to your profile icon, selecting “Support,” and then choosing “Report a payment issue” or “Report a scam.” This allows Cash App to investigate the transaction and offer guidance.

Contact your bank or credit card company if the scam involved linked accounts or cards. Your financial institution may dispute unauthorized transactions or reverse charges, especially if a debit or credit card was compromised. Banks with zero-liability policies can sometimes offer refunds for fraudulent activity.

For significant financial losses or identity theft concerns, report the incident to relevant consumer protection agencies. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) accepts reports of fraud, scams, and identity theft through ReportFraud.ftc.gov or by phone. While the FTC does not resolve individual cases, your report contributes to investigations that can lead to enforcement actions against scammers.

After suspecting a scam, secure all related accounts. Change your Cash App PIN and any compromised passwords. If sensitive personal information like your Social Security number was shared, consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the major credit bureaus to prevent further fraudulent activity.