What if a stranger says they sent me money by accident?
A stranger may claim they sent money accidentally and pressure you to return it through Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal.
“I accidentally sent you $350 on the payment app. Please send it back right away. It was for my rent.”
Why this is suspicious
There is no reliable way to verify a stranger's story. Payment services have procedures for unexpected payments, so let the provider investigate instead of creating a separate transaction yourself.
Warning signs
- You do not know the sender
- They pressure you to return it immediately
- They ask you to send a new payment
- They want to move the conversation off the payment app
What to do next
- Do not spend or return the money yourself
- Contact the payment app through its official support channel
- Tell the sender to work with their payment provider
- Save the messages and report suspicious activity
If you already clicked or paid
For guidance on what to do after a possible scam, visit the FTC’s recovery guide. It covers different situations, including payments and personal information.
Official source: Venmo guidance on payments from strangers
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