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What Is a Cash App Scam?
Cash App scams take advantage of the money transfer platform’s speed and ease of use to trick victims into sending money or giving up personal information.
In early 2025, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) ordered Cash App to pay $175 million to compensate users who had been scammed on the platform.
When used properly, the Cash App platform provides a safe way to transfer money and pay bills. But it’s not always easy to know whether or not you’re dealing with a legitimate money transfer request.
Before you send (or receive) a questionable payment on Cash App, make sure you’re not falling for one of these common scams.
Did you get scammed on Cash App? Contact Cash App support as soon as possible, either from within the app or by calling the company’s support phone number at 1-800-969-1940. Then, sign up for identity theft protection to safeguard your bank account and make sure you don’t get scammed again.
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The 10 Latest Cash App Scams To Avoid in 2025
Cash App uses advanced fraud detection technology to secure your money and data. When you initiate a transfer, your information is encrypted, and you’re secured by Cash App’s vulnerability management suite that protects you from scammers.
However, this doesn’t prevent scammers from tricking you into giving up your Cash App login credentials or sending them money for fake products and services.
With peer-to-peer payment services like Cash App, Zelle, and Venmo now handling more than $1 trillion in transfers, these platforms have become hotbeds for scammers.
We dug through data from the FTC, Better Business Bureau (BBB), and Cash App itself to highlight the latest ways that fraudsters are targeting Cash App users.
1. Cash “flipping” scams that promise big returns for small investments
In cash flipping scams, fraudsters reach out to Cash App users on social media platforms (such as Twitter or Instagram) and promote get-rich-quick schemes — requiring only a small initial investment. For example, they may tout a special investment that can turn $200 into $1,000 in a matter of days.
The bottom line is that there’s no such thing as a guaranteed investment.
- Some cash flipping scammers will send you supposed “earnings.” However, this is just a trick to get you to “invest” more. Don’t let a small initial reward lure you into sending more money to a scammer.
- Don’t trust messages from friends or “happy customers.” Scammers often use fake or hacked accounts to promote flipping scams. If someone you know is promoting a scam, reach out to the person directly and let them know.
📚 Related: What To Do If You’ve Been Scammed Online & How To Report It →
2. Accidental payment scams
If you receive a random transfer to your Cash App account, it’s a scam. Fraudsters use “accidental payments” to initiate conversation (and pull you into their schemes).
In other cases, the “payment” is funded through a stolen credit card or debit card. If you send the money back to the user, and the credit card that was used is reported as stolen, the amount of the transfer will be withdrawn from your bank account instead.
Always decline unexpected payments. If you do accept the money and someone asks for it back, instead of creating a new transfer, follow the steps on how to refund a Cash App payment.
3. Rental and pet deposit scams
Scammers post hard-to-find or in-demand products and services online and then request deposits via Cash App to “claim” them. Two of the most-common deposit scams are for pets and home rentals, but you’ll also see these types of scams for luxury items or concert tickets.
- Pet deposit scams occur when scammers post on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or other platforms, advertising puppies for sale — and requiring a deposit. Make sure to visit breeders in person, and never send money for pets you can’t see first.
- Rental deposit scams take place over platforms like Zillow and Apartments.com. Scammers advertise fake rental properties for lower than market rate, and then ask for a deposit by using Cash App (or similar) to “secure” the property. These scams usually happen online only. But there have been situations in which scammers “show” a home in person and even collect deposits for homes that aren’t actually for rent.
Remember: It can be difficult to request a refund for a transfer made through Cash App — even if the item you paid for never arrives.
4. Romance scams (catfishing and investment scams)
Romance scams occur when fraudsters create fake accounts on dating sites and social media platforms (such as Instagram, Tinder, or Hinge) and then build relationships with victims.
Once they’ve gained their victims’ trust, scammers invent some type of emergency and ask for money via Cash App, wire transfers, or gift cards. They may also claim to have special knowledge about investments or access to cryptocurrency exchanges— where you can earn huge returns on Bitcoin and other coins. But it’s all a lie, and any money you send them will be lost.
If someone you’ve only met online asks for money, it’s almost certainly a scam.
📚 Related: The Unexpected Dangers of Online Dating [11 Scams To Know] →
5. Payment claiming scams (for rewards, prizes, or class action lawsuits)
In this version of the “free money” scam, fraudsters claim you’re entitled to some sort of compensation — such as from a sweepstakes, lottery, random draw, or class action lawsuit. The catch? You need to send them money via Cash App to “release” the funds.
In one example, scammers looked for users responding to “Cash App Fridays” giveaways on Twitter with their “$cashtag” and then sent direct messages seeking financial information supposedly needed in order for the “winners” to collect their “prizes.”
No legitimate lottery (or Cash App employee) requests money upfront before paying out winnings — especially via Cash App.
6. Phishing emails and messages claiming to be from Cash App
Cash App scammers send phishing emails displaying the Cash App logo and a similar-looking email address to try and trick you into “verifying” your sensitive information, such as your Social Security number (SSN) or financial information. Or, they might try to get you to click on a link that will take you to a fake website that steals your Cash App account login information and password.
One of the biggest red flags indicating a phishing scam is a sense of urgency — either by claiming that your account and money are at risk or that you’ve won a prize and need to act now.
- Legitimate Cash App emails will only come from @Square.com, @Cash.app, or @Squareup.com.
- If you receive a suspicious email, text, call, or social media message, report it to Cash App through the app or at cash.app/help.
- If someone claims to be from a government agency and is asking for payment via Cash App, you’re dealing with a scammer. Ignore the message and report it to the agency being impersonated.
📚 Related: How To Tell If an Email Is From a Scammer [With Examples] →
7. Fraudulent security alerts about your Cash App account
In this scheme, scammers try to pressure you into doing what they want by claiming there has been suspicious activity in your Cash App account, that it has been hacked, or that your login credentials were compromised in a data breach.
For example, scammers may claim that someone has access to your Cash App or linked bank account — and the only way to keep your money safe is to transfer it to another account (that the scammers control).
Don’t click on links in security alerts. Instead, log in to your Cash App account directly online or by using the mobile app to double-check that any security issue is real.
8. Strangers asking to use your phone and transferring money to themselves
Some of the most nefarious scams take place in real life — not online. Some scammers invent emergencies, such as needing to contact their family or the police, and ask to use your phone. But once they have access to it, they quickly send themselves money from your Cash App account.
Take advantage of your phone’s security features and those offered by Cash App. Cash App’s “Security Lock” requires you to enter a secret Cash App PIN for every payment. You can also set up payment notifications via text message or email so that you’re notified whenever you make a payment.
9. Fake versions of the Cash App app
As part of some scams, hackers may claim that there’s an issue with Cash App that requires you to download a different version of the app. But these malicious apps are designed to steal your legitimate Cash App login details, giving scammers access to your account and linked bank account. Some may even be malware in disguise.
Never download apps outside of the official Apple or Google Play app stores. If you think you may have downloaded a fake app, run an antivirus scan on your device to stay safe.
📚 Related: How To Tell If You've Been Hacked (and What To Do About It) →
10. Fake Cash App customer support accounts on social media
Scammers create fake social media accounts that claim to be the Cash App customer support team. They then scan for posts from Cash App users and cite account issues which require their victims’ sensitive information in order to resolve — such as Cash App account passwords and login information.
In other versions of this scam, they may try to trick you into transferring money to an account they control or even downloading an app that gives them remote control of your device.
Cash App will never request sensitive information, nor ask you to download an app, transfer money, or make mobile payments to receive support.
Cash App’s official social media accounts are:
- Instagram: @CashApp
- X: @CashApp @CashSupport
- Tiktok: @CashApp
- Twitch: twitch.tv/CashApp
- Reddit: u/CashAppAndi
- Facebook: SquareCash
What To Do If You’ve Been Scammed on Cash App
If you’ve been scammed on Cash App or if you sent money to the wrong person, here’s how to try and get your money back:
- Request a refund. If you sent money to the wrong merchant or individual, Cash App can’t refund you. Instead, you’ll have to ask the recipient for a refund:
- Open Cash App and tap on the Activity tab
- Select the payment in question and tap on Report an Issue
- Choose a reason and tap Next to complete the request
- Try to cancel the payment. In the rare case that you catch the transfer before it’s deposited, you can ask the recipient to cancel the payment. You can also request a payment from the recipient from your Cash App home screen.
- Dispute the transaction. If the previous methods don’t work, you’ll need to submit a dispute with Cash App:
- Open Cash App and tap on the Activity tab
- Select the transaction in question and tap on the three dots in the top right corner
- Tap on Need Help & Cash App Support
- Select Dispute this Transaction
- Report the scam to Cash App. Block the scam account by going to the scammer’s profile, scrolling to the bottom, and tapping on “Report” or “Block.”
- File a complaint against Cash App. If your Cash App transaction isn’t refunded, you can submit a complaint directly to Cash App support or with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and CFPB. Make sure you have details of the scam, such as screenshots of messages or transfers.
📚 Related: I Got Scammed On Cash App! What Can I Do? →
How To Avoid Cash App Scams and Protect Yourself Online
Americans lost nearly $400 million to scams on payment apps like Cash App in 2024, according to data from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
The best ways to stay safe are to never send money to people you don’t know and make sure that your app and devices are secure at all times.
Here are some more recommendations to help keep your Cash App account (and finances) safe from scammers:
- Don’t give out sensitive information. Cash App employees will never ask for your PIN, password, authentication codes, account details, or sensitive information such as your SSN and bank account information.
- Double-check email addresses and domains. Cash App emails come from @squareup.com, @square.com, or @cash.app. Make sure you’re only entering information on official Cash App or Square website domains — including square.com, squareup.com, cash.app or cash.me.
- Secure your Cash App account and mobile device. Enable security features, such as Cash App’s Security Lock, two-factor authentication (2FA), and biometric security on your mobile device (such as facial recognition or fingerprint scans).
- Keep your Cash App Card locked when not in use. Prevent scammers from accessing your Cash App card by temporarily locking it from within the app online.
- Contact customer support from inside Cash App directly. Use official contact channels only — and never trust people who contact you claiming to be from Cash App customer support.
- Don’t get tricked by too-good-to-be-true deals. This is the golden rule of fraud prevention.
- Sign up for fraud alerts and identity protection. You can opt to receive payment confirmation emails and texts from Cash App. But for added security, sign up for banking and fraud alerts from a credit monitoring provider.
While it’s possible to use Cash App safely, scammers are always looking for new ways to trick you into sending them money and sensitive information. That’s what makes an online safety solution like Aura so appealing.
Aura combines award-winning identity and credit monitoring, with advanced fraud, scam, and hacking protection, 24/7 U.S.-based support, and up to $5 million in identity theft insurance.
