Block’s Cash App is an integral part of daily life for many Americans and Brits, but it is also a potentially lucrative target for scammers. Whether you are new to Cash App or concerned about being taken advantage of, here is a guide to some of the most common scams on the service and how to stay safe.
1. “Free” money:
Cash App does hold occasional sweepstakes, but they never require sharing your PIN or sign-in code. If someone asks you to do so before awarding a prize, they are trying to scam you. If you do win money via a sweepstakes, the payment will be delivered via the verified Cash App account, labeled with a blue checkmark.
2. “Accidental” transfers:
Scammers may use stolen credit cards to send you money, then ask for the funds back. If you comply, the original charge will be reversed, but the thief will keep the money you wired. Avoid this by not responding to requests for money back unless the person is known to you and trustworthy.
3. Crypto, flipping, and other investment scams:
Scammers may claim they can guarantee a profit in exchange for a small initial investment, but there are no guarantees with crypto. Do your research before investing in anything and only channel your money through reputable investment platforms.
4. Deals on luxuries:
Beware of steep discounts on luxury items like handbags, jewelry, or concert tickets. Stick to using Cash App for payments at physical locations and be cautious of online businesses that rely on the app.
5. Fake customer support:
Legitimate support staff will never ask for your login details. Be wary of messages that require you to share personal information through a website link.
6. General phishing scams:
Be cautious of unsolicited messages that try to get you to tap on a link. Most phishing scams are easy to spot and use URLs that reference an app or company but aren’t hosted on the same domain as the real deal.
7. “Screenshot” scams:
Scammers may try to use a screenshot as supposed proof of a prize or pending payment. Screenshots can be easily edited and don’t prove anything on their own.
8. Romance/catfishing and prostitution scams:
Be skeptical of online relationships and don’t send money to someone you haven’t met in person. Use reverse image search tools to verify the authenticity of someone’s photos.
9. Government refund/payment scams:
No government handles official transactions through Cash App. Do not give out personal details to someone claiming to be from a government agency.
If you have been scammed, stop interacting with the scammer, capture as many related screenshots as possible, and report the transaction. Additionally, report or block the scammer and consider filing a report with the local police.