Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Venmo Security Call Scam - How to Protect Yourself
Venmo Security Call Scam - How to Protect Yourself

The Venmo security call scam is a sophisticated "vishing" (voice phishing) attack where fraudsters impersonate the Venmo Fraud Department to hijack your account and steal your funds.

How the Scam Works

  1. The Setup: You receive a phone call, often spoofed to display "Venmo" or "Venmo Fraud Hotline" on your caller ID.
  2. The Panic: An automated voice or a live caller claims someone is trying to change your password, alter your linked phone number, or withdraw money. They tell you to "press 1" to stop it.
  3. The Trap: In the background, the scammer is actively attempting to log into your account and triggers Venmo's multi-factor authentication.
  4. The Theft: You receive a real verification code from Venmo. The scammer asks you to read the PIN back to them or enter it on your keypad. Giving them this code hands them total access to your account to drain your funds or link a new bank account.

Critical Red Flags to Watch For

  • Urgency: Anyone pressuring you to act immediately because your account is "compromised".
  • Asking for PINs: Anyone asking you to read back a verification text code.
  • Requests to move money: Being told to send funds to another account to "verify" or "protect" your identity.
  • Third-party software: Requests to download remote desktop apps to "fix" your device

How to Protect Yourself

  • Hang up immediately: Venmo explicitly states that their agents will never call you out of the blue to demand a verification code, password, or PIN.
  • Do not press any buttons: Avoid interacting with automated prompts like "Press 1". Verify on your own terms: If you are worried, close the call and open the official Venmo app or navigate directly to Venmo.com to check your account status.

What to Do If You Were Scammed

  • Change your credentials: Immediately update your Venmo password and PIN within the app.
  • Contact official support: Open your Venmo app, go to Me > Settings > Get Help > Chat With Us to speak directly with a real agent.
  • Alert your financial institutions: Contact the bank or credit card companies linked to your Venmo account to freeze unauthorized transfers.
  • Report the fraud: Forward screenshots of any related phishing text messages or emails to spoof@paypal.com or phishing@venmo.com.
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