A peer-to-peer payment scam persuades someone to authorize a transfer through Zelle, Venmo, Cash App, PayPal, or another service under a false identity or story. The payment system may work exactly as designed while the recipient, purpose, or promised product is fraudulent.
Common examples
Scammers impersonate relatives, banks, sellers, employers, or support agents. They request emergency money, payment to protect an account, a fee for a prize or job, or a transfer outside a marketplace. Fake payment confirmations and overpayment stories target sellers.
An unfamiliar person may also claim to have sent money by mistake and ask for a separate transfer. Contact the payment service before returning it.
How to prevent one
Verify the person through a known number and review the recipient handle, name, amount, and reason before sending. Use marketplace checkout and payment methods with protections appropriate to a purchase. Never share a password or one-time code.
What to do after payment
Report the transaction to the payment app and linked bank or card issuer immediately. Ask which fraud, dispute, or recall process applies. Preserve the username, messages, receipt, transaction ID, date, and amount. Recovery is not guaranteed.
Security tools may warn about a malicious link or app. They cannot authorize, reverse, or validate a U.S. payment recipient.