Scammed on Cash App? What to do right now
Quick answer
If you sent money to a scammer on Cash App, act today: report the payment to Cash App in the app, tell your bank if a linked card or account was involved, and report to the FTC. Payments you authorized are harder to reverse, so speed matters.
- Comes by
- App, Text, Social media, Phone call
- Pretends to be
- Cash App
- Last updated
How it works
Cash App scams come in two kinds. In the first, a stranger or fake "support" contact persuades you to send money, often with a story about a prize, a refund, a flip or a fake sale. In the second, a scammer gets into your account and sends money out.
Because you tapped send yourself in the first case, the app treats it as an authorized payment. Cash App's own guidance says person-to-person payments you authorized are harder to reverse on any platform.
The quick fixes are to report to the app, secure the account, and tell your bank if a linked card or account is involved.
Red flags
- Anyone who asks you to send money first so you can get more back
- A "Cash App support" contact who found you on social media or by text
- A request to send money to someone you haven't met
- Pressure to pay immediately or to keep it secret
- A request for your sign-in code or PIN
- A link or number that isn't from the app itself
Example message
Hi, this is Cash App support. We see a problem with your last payment. Send [amount] to confirm your account and we'll refund it right away. Message us at [link].
What to do
- 1
Report the payment in the app
Contact Cash App through its in-app support, or its help site. Say it was a scam and give the date, amount and the other person's $cashtag.
- 2
Tell your bank or card issuer
If a linked debit card, credit card or bank account was used, call the number on your card and ask about disputing it.
- 3
Secure your account
Change your password, turn on Security Lock and turn on transaction alerts. Remove linked cards you don't want used.
- 4
Stop talking to the scammer
Block them. Be wary of anyone who offers to get your money back for a fee, which is a second scam.
- 5
Report it to the FTC
File a report at ReportFraud.ftc.gov with the payment details. Save screenshots of the chat and the payment.
Report it
Check if your details are exposed with Serus
Scammers find your number and address on data brokers and people-search sites. Serus removes them.
Why you got it
Scammers find targets in bulk, but a real name, number or email in the message makes it work better. Those details come from people-search sites and breaches. Serus finds the broker and people-search sites that list your info and requests removal, and it alerts you when your email or phone shows up in a breach.
More Cash App scams
Frequently asked
Will Cash App refund money if I was scammed?
Not always. Cash App's own guidance says payments you authorized are harder to reverse, so report quickly and also contact your bank if a linked card or account was involved.
Where do I report a Cash App scam?
Report the payment to Cash App through its in-app support, then report to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Should I pay someone who says they'll recover my money?
No. Recovery offers that want a fee up front are another scam.
How do I stop it happening again?
Turn on Security Lock and transaction alerts, never share codes or your PIN, and only send money to people you know.
Sources
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