Cash app is an overwhelmingly popular way to transfer and receive money. Unfortunately, where there is popularity and money, there is inevitably an influx of scammers trying to take advantage of it. Read on to learn about the most common scams and how to avoid becoming the next Cash App fraud victim.
11 Cash App Scams to Know
Here’s a look at 11 common Cash App scams for 2023:
Cash Exchange Fraudulent Payment Claims Pet Sales Scams Rental Scams Giveaway Scams Customer Service Scams Cash App Impersonation and Phishing Scams Fake Random Transactions Transaction Dispute Scams Free Money and Rewards Scams Catfishing Scams
1. Cash Flipping
Money laundering is when scammers convince you to send them money, promising to increase the funds through investments or other means. These scammers may ask you to send a small amount as a “clearance fee” or for “account verification.” You send the money and never get anything back.
2. Fraudulent payment claims
Another common form of Cash App fraud is payment claims that you have won money or are owed a payment. However, you have to pay to collect the money, like swiping cash. The scammers take your payment and disappear.
3. Pet sales scams
Cash app scams on Facebook and other social media platforms are common as these apps offer a large pool of potential victims. One such scam is the pet sales scam. A scammer pretends to have an upcoming litter of dogs or cats. The asking price is often quite attractive, as are the many photos of those cute puppies or kittens. You can claim your non-existent pet by sending a deposit to the scammer via Cash App.
4. Rent scams
Rental scams are similar to pet sales scams. The scammer promises to get you an apartment for much less than the going rate if you simply send them a deposit. However, the scammer never delivers the service and you lose the deposit.
5. Giveaway scams
Cash App sometimes gives away money to lucky winners on X, formerly Twitter. Scammers set up fake cash app giveaways using hashtags like #CashAppGiveaway or #CashAppFriday to trick users into thinking they’ve entered and won a legitimate cash app giveaway. The scammer may ask you to verify your account by providing your login code or PIN or by sending a “test” payment so you can collect your fake prize.
6. Customer Service Scams
A scammer may pose as a Cash App customer service or other representative offering to help you dispute a transaction, provide technical support, or help with another issue. You pay a fee but never receive the help.
These fake support people may also ask you for your Cash App account information, which they use to fraudulently access your account.
7. Phishing scams
Phishing scams start with an imposter impersonating a major brand — Cash App, in this case. The scammer will usually notify you via email that you need to update your password. When you click the link to make the update, you are taken to a website designed to mirror Cash App, where the scammers steal your login information.
8. False Coincidence Transactions
With this scam, the scammer claims to have “accidentally” sent you a fake Cash App payment. They ask you to send a payment back to them to return the funds. The scammer then disputes their original payment with their bank or credit card issuer, allowing them to keep their money and yours.
9. Transaction Dispute Scams
Some scammers claim they can teach you how to file legitimate disputes with Cash App and receive free refunds – for a fee, of course. The terms “method”, “dispute” and “refunds” are often used by scammers advertising this fake service.
10. Free money and rewards scams
Another “teaching” scam involves a scammer requesting a fee to show you how to manipulate a Cash App “bug” that will allow you to get free money. They may also offer to teach you how to earn substantial cash rewards with the app or through a fake referral bonus program.
11. Catfishing scams
Catfishers create fake social media and dating profiles to start online relationships with unsuspecting victims. Peer-to-peer apps, such as Cash App, have made it easy for catfishers to separate victims from their money. The catfisher romances the victim online and then preys on the victim’s love to fulfill their requests for money to cover an “emergency” or even book a trip for a face-to-face visit that never happens not.
How to avoid cash app scams
For most Cash App scams, fraudsters rely on a victim’s willingness to send money to a stranger or a failure to confirm that they are communicating with a legitimate Cash App representative. You can protect yourself from most scams if you avoid dealing with people you don’t know and trust and only use Cash App’s recommended communication methods to get support.
Good to know
It is easy to spot fake Cash App representatives by the information they request from you. A Cash App representative will never ask you to:
Provide your cash app login code Send a payment to a cash app account Provide personal information, such as your social security number, debit card number, or bank account information
Taking these additional precautions can also help you avoid Cash App scams:
Do not give your personal information to anyone through Cash App. If you receive an email or text that claims to be from Cash App, contact Cash App customer service directly rather than responding to or clicking links in the text or email. Do not pay in advance for products or services. Do not use Cash App for rent or pet deposits. Don’t send money to someone you only know online and haven’t met in person. Be wary of prices or investment opportunities that are too good to be true. Check the recipient’s details carefully to avoid sending money to the wrong person. Turn on notifications to receive an SMS or email when a payment is made with your account. Enable security lock to ensure that no one can make a payment with your account without your passcode, Touch ID or Face ID. Enable two-factor authentication for account access.
If you’ve been scammed with the Cash app, what do you do?
If you think you have fallen victim to a Cash App scam, Cash App recommends that you first change your Cash App PIN. Then report the possible fraud to Cash App. Note that reporting a fraudulent transaction does not guarantee that you will receive a Cash App scam refund.
How to report a fraudulent transaction
To report a fraudulent Cash App transaction:
Tap the profile icon on the Cash App home screen. Tap on “Support”. Tap “Report a payment issue.” Select the scam payment. Follow the directions.
How to block a scam account
To report and block a Cash App account that you suspect may be a scam account:
Open the scam profile in Cash App. Scroll to the bottom of the profile. Tap “Report.” Follow the prompts to register the account. Go back to the profile. Tap on “Block”. Follow the instructions to block the account.
Cash App Customer Service
You can contact Cash app support through the app or by phone at 1-800-969-1940.
If you choose to contact Cash App on social media, be sure to send one of the following official, verified Cash App social media accounts:
Instagram: @CashApp or @CashByCashapp X, formerly Twitter: @CashApp, @CashSupport or @CashAppStudios Tiktok: @CashApp Twitch: twitch.tv/CashApp Reddit: u/CashAppAndi Facebook: SquareCash
Final take
You can use Cash App safely without worrying about falling victim to a scam if you take the necessary steps to secure your Cash App account and only transact with people you know and trust. Also, stay on top of new ways scammers try to trick people through payment programs so you know how to spot and avoid their tactics.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the answers to common questions about Cash App scams. Does Cash App ever give away free money? Yes, Cash App gives away free money through periodic sweepstakes via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, @CashApp. Winnings are sent from a verified Cash App account that displays a blue tick. Cash App Gifts never require you to provide your PIN or login code. What if a random person wants to send me money on Cash App? If a random person asks to send you money on Cash App, it’s probably a scam. If you receive an unexpected Cash App payment from a stranger, you must return the payment rather than sending a payment to the person. Is it safe to send money to strangers on Cash App? Cash App recommends that you only send money to people you know and trust, as payments are instant and usually cannot be canceled. How can you tell if someone is scamming you on Cash App? Common signs of a Cash App scam include: Too-good-to-be-true opportunities. The requirement of an advance payment. A request for your Cash Program login code, PIN or personal information. If someone asks you to send money to receive money, it’s probably a scam too. Can I dispute a Cash App purchase that I paid for in advance? You can dispute a Cash App Cash Card* purchase, but this does not guarantee that you will get your money back. Since most payments are instant, they cannot be cancelled.
Caitlyn Moorhead and Joshua Rodriguez contributed to the reporting for this article.
Information is accurate as of 27 October 2023.
*Prepaid debit cards issued by Sutton Bank.
Editorial Note: This content is not provided by any entity covered in this article. Any opinions, analyses, reviews, ratings or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the author alone and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any entity mentioned in this article.
Discover the best banks of 2024: Reveal our top picks!
We have compiled a list of the top banks for this year!
Here are the pros and cons of using multiple banks
Many banks are one-stop-shop financial institutions…
Disclaimer for Uncirculars, with a Touch of Personality:
While we love diving into the exciting world of crypto here at Uncirculars, remember that this post, and all our content, is purely for your information and exploration. Think of it as your crypto compass, pointing you in the right direction to do your own research and make informed decisions.
No legal, tax, investment, or financial advice should be inferred from these pixels. We’re not fortune tellers or stockbrokers, just passionate crypto enthusiasts sharing our knowledge.
And just like that rollercoaster ride in your favorite DeFi protocol, past performance isn’t a guarantee of future thrills. The value of crypto assets can be as unpredictable as a moon landing, so buckle up and do your due diligence before taking the plunge.
Ultimately, any crypto adventure you embark on is yours alone. We’re just happy to be your crypto companion, cheering you on from the sidelines (and maybe sharing some snacks along the way). So research, explore, and remember, with a little knowledge and a lot of curiosity, you can navigate the crypto cosmos like a pro!
UnCirculars – Cutting through the noise, delivering unbiased crypto news
