How To Protect Yourself Against Cash App Scams (2024)

Like many mobile payment services, Cash App offers a quick, convenient way to send and receive money. But unlike payments sent and received through a traditional bank, transactions through money transfer apps like Cash App aren’t FDIC insured. If you accidentally send money or are involved in a Cash App scam, it’s just like losing cold, hard cash.

Cash App scammers are stealing users’ money, raising concerns about how secure the mobile payment system is. While the prevalence of these scams might be rising, mobile payments are still a safe, secure way to pay if you know how to spot fraudsters.

Knowing how to spot a Cash App scam, combined with Cash App’s policies to keep your data safe and transactions secure, means you can confidently use the convenient money-sharing app. Keep reading to learn more about what to look for and how to avoid Cash App scams, as well as how to add another layer of protection with a good identity theft protection service.

12 Cash App scams and how to avoid them

Scammers change tactics frequently, but understanding how these popular scams work and knowing what red flags to look for can help you avoid becoming a victim of a Cash App scam. Here are some of the most common Cash App scams and how they work.

1. Fake refunds

Like many Facebook Marketplace scams, this Cash App scam is one to be aware of if you sell goods or merchandise online. If you’re selling something on an online marketplace, scammers may take this opportunity to swindle you out of money.

This typically happens when a fraudster claims to have sent multiple payments through Cash App and demands a refund, requiring you to issue a refund for a payment you never received.

2. Accidental payment

While an unexpected deposit is a fun surprise initially, it’s almost always associated with a scam.

With this scam, a fraudster “accidentally” sends you money. They then message you and ask for the money back. If you send the money back, it comes from your own account. The scammers then dispute the payment with their bank or credit card, essentially doubling the amount of money they end up with.

You can report scam payments in Cash App with these steps:

1. Tap your profile icon found in the upper-right corner.
2. Choose Support, then Report a Payment Issue.
3. Choose the payment you want to report and follow the prompts.

3. Messages asking you to claim a prize

Similar to an accidental payment, telling you that you won a prize is an easy way for fraudsters to target victims. Scammers message you claiming you’re the recipient of a prize — but you’ll need to send in a small fee to claim your prize.

This is a scam. Cash App will never ask you to pay for a prize.

If someone on Cash App contacts you and you think they’re a scammer, you can report and block them using these steps:

1. Tap the user’s avatar to view their profile or search for their profile using a name, $Cashtag, phone number, or email address.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the user’s profile and tap Report or Block.
3. Select one of the options that appear and follow the prompts.

4. Social Security number requests

Requests for sensitive, personal information like Social Security numbers may seem legitimate, but it’s a way for scammers to get the information they need to access your Cash App account.

It’s important to note that Cash App won’t ask for your Social Security number after your initial setup — and won’t ask for other personal info like your login credentials either. If someone claiming to be Cash App support requests this information, it’s an indication it’s a scam.

5. Fake Cash App support representatives

Speaking of Cash App support, a popular tactic used by scammers is creating a fake phone number and listing it as Cash App customer support. When you call the fake customer support and share private, sensitive information, you are giving fraudsters access to your account.

For victims involved in this type of scam, it’s very difficult to recoup lost finances. Cash App customer support is available only through the app and through the customer support phone number found on the official website.

If someone asks you to provide your Cash App PIN or Social Security number, or asks you to send payment, it’s likely a scam and you should end communication immediately.

6. Fraudulent government relief payments

Since COVID-19, government relief payment scams have been on the rise. A scammer might create a fraudulent grant or government program to swindle Cash App users out of money and charge victims a fee.

Any request for personal financial information, fee payment, or a charge of any kind is a scam and should be reported to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and FBI’s IC3.

7. Fake account security alerts

In this phishing scam, fraudsters send official-looking emails claiming there’s a security breach and your Cash App account may be compromised.

Victims of phishing scams are directed to enter sensitive information into fake websites, inadvertently sharing private information. Remember, if you receive a suspicious email, message on social media, or a text message from a number you don’t know claiming you need to enter information about your Cash App account, it’s best to do your due diligence to make sure it’s actually from Cash App.

Verified emails will always come from an @cash.app, @square.com, or @squareup.com email address. If you receive notifications you believe are a scam, report them to Cash App as soon as possible.

8. Cash flipping

Cash flipping is where scammers post on social media advertising huge returns on cryptocurrency or other investments — you just need to send them a nominal upfront investment via Cash App.

But instead of an investment, you’re sending money directly to the scammer and they never deliver on their promise to multiply your investment.

Just like paying to claim a prize, if someone asks you to send them money and promises to return larger dividends, it’s likely a scam.

9. Pet deposit scam

Searching for a new pet? Don’t fall victim to this scam.

Scammers claim to have an upcoming litter of animals and request a deposit to claim a puppy or kitten. Sometimes, the fraudsters even include fake photos and claim to offer pure-bred, highly sought-after animals at a deeply discounted rate.

You send a deposit, but won’t see your new four-legged friend. Cash App can’t guarantee a return on an item you don’t receive, so the scammer makes off with your deposit.

10. Rental deposit scam

Similar to the pet deposit scam, in a rental deposit scam, fraudsters promise an apartment or home rental at a low rate in exchange for a deposit. Often, they promise this service without ever providing proof that the apartment actually exists.

If someone requires a deposit before you’ve even toured the apartment, it’s likely a scam.

11. Fake transaction verification

Scammers use fake transaction verification methods to trick you out of money by creating fake, official-looking notices saying there are concerns about fraudulent activity on your account. They’ll ask you to confirm your account information by sharing it with them so they can “verify,” but they’re really tricking you into handing over personal information.

12. Catfishing scams

Another popular Cash App scam is catfishing, or when someone takes another person’s information and identity to create a new identity for themselves. Scammers use this fake identity to romance victims online and then leverage the relationship — and the victim’s funds — to cover an “emergency” or a face-to-face visit that never actually happens.

How does Cash App work?

Cash App is a mobile peer-to-peer payment service that allows you to buy, sell and transfer money, stocks, and bitcoin without the usual fees traditional banking incurs. Once the app is installed, you can make or receive payments with just a few quick clicks.

Is Cash App safe to use?

Like any mobile-to-mobile payment app, Cash App is overall safe to use.

Cash App uses encryption and fraud detection technology to protect your data and money. All information submitted in the app is encrypted, regardless of whether you’re using public or private Wi-FI, and the app offers two-factor authentication.

Additionally, Cash App is PCI Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) Level 1 compliant, which is the highest level of compliance and payment standards merchants can comply with to securely store, transmit and process credit card information.

12 tips to protect yourself on Cash App

While Cash App offers added security measures to ensure your information is safe, there are best practices you can implement to protect your financial transactions and data online:

1. Verify email addresses: It’s best to only respond to emails and messages from people you know and trust. If an email is supposedly from Cash App, check the email domains to ensure they’re verified Cash App email addresses.
2. Don’t click on external links: Verified Cash App emails won’t contain links to any sites other than square.com, squareup.com, cash.app, or cash.me. If you receive an email with links to any other websites, it’s a red flag the email is fraudulent and likely part of a scam.
3. Double-check transactions: Before sending payment, double-check transactions are going to the intended recipient.
4. Never send money to strangers: If someone contacts you claiming you’re the recipient of a prize and you need to send payment to claim the prize, it’s best to ignore the message and report it to Cash App.
5. Never buy something before you see it: Many Cash App scams operate on the premise of false goods or services. For example, don’t put a deposit down on a puppy until you’ve seen the litter in person, or put a deposit on an apartment you haven’t toured yet.
6. Contact Cash App customer support directly: To avoid a Cash App customer support scam, contact Cash App customer support only through the app or the listed phone number on the Cash App website.
7. Keep personal identifying information private: Scammers go to great lengths to trick victims out of cash, including surveying other social media sites to get as much personal information about them as possible. Be wary of posting too much about yourself on social media sites or other online forums.
8. Don’t share your login codes: When you sign in to Cash App, it sends you a one-time use code to log in. If you receive a login code without requesting one or receive a message from a Cash App user asking for your one-time login code, it’s likely a scam. This is a good time to change your account password too.
9. Turn on notifications: In your account settings, turn on notifications so you’re immediately aware of any transactions associated with your account.
10. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is: The old adage rings true with Cash App scams: if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If someone offers you free money or an investment opportunity, the best thing to do is ignore the fraudster and contact Cash App support.
11. Use two-factor authentication: For added security, enable two-factor authentication on your account. Even if someone has your account credentials, they cannot log in without your Cash App PIN.
12. Look for red flags: Cash App will never ask for your PIN or Social Security number, and it will never charge you or require a deposit to facilitate any “test” on your account. The Cash App team also won’t ask you to download software for remote access to your device or account.

These tips can apply to all payment apps, including PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.

What to do if you’re a victim of a Cash App scam

If you’ve been targeted by a Cash App scam, there are straightforward steps to take to rectify the situation.

1. Report the scam to Cash App customer service and immediately cease contact with the scammer.
2. If applicable, contact your bank and alert them to possible fraudulent charges. Be sure to check your credit report to ensure no further damage has been done
3. Consider signing up for identity theft protection services, which can help you monitor your bank account information for fraud and help you recover if someone does scam you on Cash App — or anywhere else.

The best identity theft protection services to help protect you from scams

Cash App scam FAQs

Bottom line

Fraudsters are lurking in nearly every corner online, from Venmo scams to Cash App scams, but knowing what to look for can give you an edge over scammers. When it comes to protecting yourself against any sort of scam, if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Scammers incentivize unsuspecting victims with lures of quick Cash App payments, love, high-price items at a lower cost, or even pretending to be a Cash App support representative. Because online payments are so convenient and easy, an increasing number of people are using them, so this gives scammers ample opportunities to wreak havoc. Now, more than ever, identity theft protection is worth adding to your arsenal of protection against fraud.