15 Cash App Scams You Need to know
Cash App scams have also increased in popularity. Peer-to-peer mobile payments allow users to transfer money to each other using an app on their mobile phones. Weekly cash giveaways like #CashAppFriday have fueled the app’s popularity. Additionally, by engaging with the app via social media platforms, users can win cash prizes by replying to or retweeting posts that include their $cashtag (the unique ID used for sending and receiving money).
Scammers are targeting Cash App users and their $cashtags via social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter. The Better Business Bureau reports that these scams have replaced scams involving wire transfers and prepaid debit cards. Victims are then blocked as soon as the funds are sent.
This article will tell you everything you need to know about Cash App scams to protect your hard-earned cash.
Here are the 15 most recent cash app scams to avoid
- Phishing emails, fake websites, and email scams to steal your Cash App login information
Phishing is when fraudsters pretend to be legitimate organizations or people to steal your data. Phishing attacks are most common via email. However, you can also get false text messages by phone (smishing), calls (vishing), and even land on phishing sites (pharming).
Cash App scammers use the Cash App logo and an identical-looking email address in emails to trick you into verifying your Cash App account details and password. They might also try to convince you to click on a link to take you to a site that steals personal information.
- Scams involving cash “flipping,” which promise significant returns on small investments
Cash app flipping is a scam that promises higher returns and “flips” your money.
Scammers target Cash App users via social media platforms such as Twitter and Insta to promote their get-rich-quick schemes. To lure victims into their traps, fraudsters often post fake alerts for cash from “happy investors.”
They often offer a small amount and promise to convert $200 into $1,000. If you aren’t happy, they’ll also give a money-back guarantee. They may offer to flip small amounts to gain your trust and then scam you into more significant sums.
Cash App is used by “Cash flipping” scammers because it transfers money instantly and cannot be returned. The scammer will also take the money you have sent.
- Fake Cash App customer support website and social media accounts
Fraudsters often use tech support scams to con Cash App users.
This scheme involves criminals pretending to be Cash App customer support representatives. They contact you to discuss your account balance and “security concerns.”
After posting about an issue with Cash App, they will often reach out to you via social media. They might also call, text, or email you in other instances.
- Scams involving Bitcoin and Cash App cryptocurrency
Scammers took over $1 billion in cryptocurrency from investors’ scams, including other schemes [ ].
Social media fraudsters post fake testimonials and videos showing people who claim to have made huge returns on their crypto investments. They will ask you to send money or bitcoin via the Cash App to “fund your account” if you reply.
- Giveaway scams #CashAppFridays & #SuperCashAppFriday
The Cash App team gives money, Bitcoin, and stocks via “Cash App Fridays” via social platforms such as Instagram and Twitter. To win, all you need to do is respond with your Cash app “$cashtag.”
Scammers create fake accounts and hijack the hashtag to message those who replied in the Cash App thread. They will tell you that you won but require you to send them your financial details to claim your prize.
Avoid other scams claiming you have won a prize or are owed money. To claim your bonus, you must send a small sum of money via Cash App.
Cash App doesn’t require users to send money for any reason. However, cash App cash prizes cannot be claimed by sending money.
- Fake Cash App Payment Notifications and Emails
The Cash app can be used to make transactions with friends and family. Many users can also send and get payments for goods or services they buy or sell online.
Fraudsters will contact you about an item you sell on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. They will ask you to pay via Cash App and send you an email confirming that the money is in your account.
However, you’ll find nothing if you go to your Cash App account.
It’s all a scam. However, if you attempt to contact the scammer, they will claim that you are the one trying to scam them. Then they will press you to “refund them” the money they sent.
- Random people accidentally send you cash on Cash App.
This scheme involves scammers depositing money into your Cash App account either by accident or as part of a plan to gain trust during a Social Engineering Scam.
Scammers may use your deposit to get you to engage in conversation, which can lead to more scams. For example, they might try to convince you into a conversation by claiming that the deposit was fraudulent and asking for a refund. They most likely used stolen Credit Card Numbers to fund their account.
You’ll lose the money if you send them a refund and the victim of the credit card theft files a fraud claim.
- Fake security alerts claim your Cash App account was compromised.
Scammers will use fear to give up their passwords and login information.
This scam involves fraudsters sending you a security alert that claims your Cash App account has been compromised in a Data Breach. You will be redirected to a website to update your Cash App login details. They’ll also use your account information to close your account.
- Scammers sell hard-to-find items such as pets and concert tickets.
Fraudsters often sell high-end items online and request payment via the Cash app. Cash App does not offer buyer protection, so scammers know this fact. If they convince you to buy fake goods through the platform, there is no way to get your money back.
These items are often difficult to find (such as tickets to a sold-out concert) or too good to be true (such as luxury items at a discounted price).
The most popular online shopping Cash App scams are:
- Pet deposit scams on Cash App
In 2021, Americans spent $123.6 billion on their pets [ ]. The BBB states that it is nearly impossible to find puppies and pets online without being scammed [ ].
Fraudsters will request a deposit via Cash App for a puppy or any other pet. This is the most popular pet scam. They will send photos of adorable newborn pets to lure you into a sale. These pets are often highly sought-after purebreds and are available at low prices.
- Cash App: Home Rental Scams
Home rental scammers use websites like Zillow or Apartments.com for advertising fake rental properties. To “secure” their property, they offer apartments for sale at a lower price than the market. They then request a cash deposit via Cash App (or similar).
These scams are usually done online. However, scammers have sometimes been able to “show” homes in person and collect deposits for homes, not for rent.
- Coronavirus scams on Cash App
Many people have started using Cash App, a contactless payment solution created by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has received more than 750,000 complaints about Coronavirus scams since the pandemic outbreak [ ].
Fake grants and relief programs are common ways to scam people. Scammers can create fake websites or send phishing emails that claim support. However, you will need to pay a fee via Cash App to receive the service.
- Scammers will ask for your Social Security Number (SSN).
Scammers using Cash Apps don’t only want your money; they also wish to access your sensitive information. For example, a scammer can use your Social Security number (SSN) to commit identity theft, open new accounts in your name, or even open credit cards or bank accounts.
According to the FTC [ ], Americans lost $12 Million to SSN scams in 2021.
Scammers will attempt to obtain your SSN by calling you and claiming that your Social Security benefits will be canceled or that your card must be updated. To get your SSN, they will use threatening language and request payment via Cash App.
- Mailing counterfeit Cash App debit cards
To access their cash, Cash App users can obtain physical debit cards. However, scammers also send Cash App users unsolicited debit cards via the mail. They instruct them to download the app, scan a code and set it up.
In reality, fraudsters have stolen your information (name, SSN, address, etc.). For example, to open a Cash App Account in your name. But they already have the account login details. They’ll transfer the money to you once the account is funded.
How did criminals gain access to sensitive information such as your SSN, for example? Hackers have stolen billions of pieces through data breaches and hacking over the years. On the Dark Web [ ], a valid U.S. Social Security Number costs $5
- Scammers demand gift cards in exchange for cash app
Gift cards are a popular choice for scammers because they are difficult to trace. This scam alerts you that you have won “free money” via Cash App. You will need to send the scammer gift cards to claim your money.
Scammers can also claim to be from the IRS and FBI and threaten you with prison time or fines if they don’t receive gift cards.
According to the FTC, gift cards are the most popular payment method scammers use. This has resulted in $148 million in consumer losses [ ].
- Cash Apps and Romance Scams
Scams to commit romance are when fraudsters create fake profiles on dating sites or social media platforms and establish relationships with victims.
Once they have gained the trust of their victims, scammers will create an emergency and request money via wire transfer, Cash App, or any other method that cannot be reversed. They might claim that they are in trouble or don’t have access to their bank account due to being overseas. It’s all a lie, and your money will be lost.
- Customer Service Impersonator
The fraudster poses as a customer representative to contact the user to inquire about their account balance and address any issues related to their account. However, after the user gives their information to the rep, they quickly discover that their performance is empty.
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