Facebook Marketplace & Venmo Scam
The scam often starts with something completely normal: you list an item for sale and someone contacts you saying they want to buy it. The buyer offers to pay through Venmo, but then claims there’s a problem with the payment.
They may tell you that you need to upgrade to a Venmo business account, verify your account, or complete additional steps before you can receive the money.
That’s when the scam begins.
How the Scam Works
The scammer may send you a fake Venmo email, text, screenshot, or link that looks legitimate. You may be instructed to:
- Click a link to “upgrade” or “verify” your Venmo account
- Enter your debit or credit card information
- Provide account information
- Share a verification or security code
- Send money or complete a transaction to receive your payment
- Approve a transaction or respond to a fraud alert
The scammer may stay in contact with you throughout the process, explaining each request as another necessary step to receive your money.
Remember: You should never have to send money to receive money.
Don't Let a Scammer Talk You Through a Fraud Alert
If you receive a fraud alert about a transaction you don't recognize, stop and review it carefully before responding.
A scammer may tell you the alert is part of the verification process and instruct you to confirm that the transaction is legitimate. Don't follow their instructions.
If you don't recognize the transaction, do not approve it simply because someone tells you to.
Protect Yourself
When selling something online:
- Never click payment or account-verification links sent by a buyer.
- Don't provide card numbers, account information, passwords, or security codes.
- Don't send money in order to receive a payment.
- Be suspicious if someone says you must upgrade your account before getting paid.
- Never approve a transaction you don't recognize.
- Don't allow a buyer to rush or pressure you through a payment process.
If something doesn't feel right, stop communicating with the buyer and verify what's happening directly through the official Venmo app or website.
Think You May Have Been Scammed?
If you believe you've provided financial information, approved a transaction, or sent money to a scammer, contact WyHy as soon as possible.
The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can help you determine the next steps.
Slow down. Verify first. And remember: receiving money should never require you to send money first.
We're with you.