Venmo scams on Facebook Marketplace: fake payments and "accidental" overpayments
Quick answer
If a Marketplace buyer says they paid you on Venmo, check your Venmo balance before you hand over the item. Never send money back to a stranger who "overpaid" or "paid by mistake". Venmo says to contact its support instead. Payment app transfers are very hard to get back.
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How it works
The scam targets sellers on Facebook Marketplace who accept Venmo. The buyer agrees to your price, then uses one of a few tricks:
- A fake payment notice. They send a screenshot or an email that looks like Venmo confirming the payment. Venmo's help center says scammers may also claim the money will only arrive once you upload shipping details. Venmo says that feature doesn't exist.
- An overpayment or "accident". They send too much, or pay a stranger's account, and ask you to refund the difference. The original payment may later be reversed, for example if it came from a stolen card, and the money is pulled from your balance.
- A check swap. They send a check for more than the price and ask you to Venmo back the difference. The FTC describes the same pattern: the check looks like it cleared, the bank reverses it later, and you lose the refund and the item.
The FTC also says payment app transfers are very hard to get back, so the check has to happen before you ship or send anything.
Red flags
- A buyer who pays before seeing the item, then "accidentally" pays too much
- A screenshot as proof of payment instead of money in your Venmo balance
- A request to upload shipping details to "release" the money
- A buyer who wants you to refund a payment you didn't initiate
- A check for more than the price
- Pressure to ship or refund right now
Example message
Hi, I sent you $[amount] on Venmo but it was more than your price by mistake. Please send the extra back and I'll come get the item today. Check your email for the payment confirmation: [link].
What to do
- 1
Check your Venmo balance yourself
Open the Venmo app, not a link in a message, and confirm the money is there before you hand over or ship the item.
- 2
Don't send money back to a stranger
If a stranger pays you and asks for a refund, Venmo says to contact its support instead of returning it yourself.
- 3
Don't deposit a check for more than the price
The FTC advises against accepting overpayment checks. The bank can reverse the deposit after it looks cleared.
- 4
If you already sent money
Report it to Venmo right away and ask for a reversal, then call your bank. The FTC says to report payment app scams to the app straight away.
- 5
Report the buyer
Report the profile on Facebook and report the scam to the FTC. Save the messages and payment details first.
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 rarely guess. Names, phone numbers, email addresses and home addresses are sold by data brokers, listed on people-search sites such as Spokeo, and leaked in breaches, which is how a message can reach you with your name already on it. Serus finds the brokers that list you and removes your listings, and alerts you when your details turn up in a breach, so fewer scammers can build a convincing message about you. If you've already shared details, our guide on what to do after a data breach covers the next steps.
More Venmo scams
Frequently asked
Can a Venmo payment be fake?
The notice can be. Venmo's help center says scammers send screenshots of fake emails that look like a payment went through. Only your Venmo balance counts.
A buyer overpaid me on Venmo. Should I refund the difference?
No. Venmo says to contact its support instead of sending the money back yourself, because the original payment may be reversed.
Does Venmo protect sellers on Marketplace?
Venmo says sellers can be covered by Purchase Protection for unauthorized transactions or missing-merchandise claims, but only for payments tagged as purchases. Check the terms before relying on it.
Can I get my money back?
Payment app transfers are very hard to get back, according to the FTC. Report it to Venmo and your bank immediately.
Sources
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