When selling items on Facebook Marketplace, some buyers may claim they need your email address to send payment through Venmo. But beware: this is actually a common scam tactic.
Exposing the Facebook Marketplace Buyer Venmo Fake Email
The scam typically works like this:
A seller posts an item for sale on Facebook Marketplace. An interested buyer offers to purchase the item and says they will pay through Venmo.
After the seller provides their Venmo username, the buyer then requests the seller’s email address, claiming it’s required to send the payment from their “business account.”
However, Venmo does not actually need an email address to send payments. The buyer’s claims are false. They are attempting to trap the seller in a fake payment scam.
How the Scammers Trap Innocent Sellers
Requesting the seller’s email is the first step for scammers. Next, they will send a fake Venmo payment confirmation to make it appear funds were transferred.
With the fake confirmation as “proof,” fraudsters pressure the seller to ship the item before the non-existent payment disappears. But once shipped, the seller never receives actual payment.
Scammers may also use the harvested email addresses for phishing attacks. They could send fake Venmo logins to steal account credentials or personal information for identity theft. Don’t click anything on that received email.
What to Do If Someone Asked for Your Email to Pay on Venmo
If a Facebook Marketplace buyer requests your email to pay through Venmo, politely decline. Explain your Venmo username is all that is required to send money.
If they insist on needing an email or keep pressuring you, block them and cease communication. This behavior confirms ill intent. Only proceed if they drop the email request completely.
And remember – only ship items after legitimately receiving and confirming payment in your Venmo transaction history.
Common Venmo Scams to Watch Out For
The fake Venmo payment email is one of many Venmo cons. Others to note include:
- Impersonators posing as friends in need of help
- Mistaken payments with pleas for refunds
- Hard-to-find items that turn out fictional after paying
- Job offers asking you to pay for materials upfront
- Fake prize or contest offers requiring account login
As with the email payment scam, all exploit Venmo’s lack of purchase protections between users. Remain vigilant.
Staying Safe from Venmo Email Payment Cons
To avoid falling for fake Venmo payment email scams, implement these best practices:
- Never send strangers your email, phone, or other personal info
- Don’t click on any suspicious payment email’s link
- Confirm all payments in your account before shipping items
- Beware buyers pushing to pay outside Facebook’s system
- Adjust privacy settings to limit public transaction visibility
- Only transact with people you know personally on Venmo
Following these rules will help guard against email and other Venmo scams when using the platform.
What to Do if You Fall Victim to the Fraud
If you shipped an item after receiving a fake Venmo payment email, take these steps:
- Report to Venmo Security at [email protected] with details
- File claims through Facebook and your mail carrier if possible
- Monitor bank account and credit statements for signs of fraud
- Change your Venmo password, enable 2FA, and watch for phishing attempts
- Submit an FTC fraud report at www.IdentityTheft.gov
- Contact your local law enforcement to file a theft report
You likely won’t recoup lost money or items. But taking action can help restore security and prevent further damages from compromised information.
Protect Yourself from All Payment App Scams
Venmo and other peer-to-peer apps may offer convenience for payments. However, they opens doors for sophisticated scammers ready to exploit unwary users.
Stay safe by learning to recognize and avoid the latest schemes targeting these platforms. With caution, you can benefit from Venmo without surrendering personal or financial data to fraudsters.
