Money And Payments
Payment app scam
A scam using instant payment apps.
What it means
A scammer convinces you to send money through a payment app, often because payments are fast and hard to reverse.
Example
A fake seller asks you to pay through a friends-and-family option before shipping an item.
Warning signs
- The person asks you to use friends-and-family payment.
- They refuse safer payment methods.
- They overpay and ask for money back.
- They claim the payment must happen immediately.
Safer next steps
- Use payment methods with buyer protection when buying from strangers.
- Do not refund overpayments without confirming with the payment provider.
- Verify the person outside the app.
- Avoid sending money to people you have not met or verified.