Cash App simplifies the process of sending and receiving money from family and friends. It can also be associated with a few potential risks. Although it is possible to get funds from a stranger, it is considered abnormal and could be a scam.
If someone you don’t know sends money to you on Cash App, that action alone is a valid reason to consider blocking them. Those funds might have been sent intentionally to gain access to your personal information.
Here are some ideas to help you navigate this sometimes tricky issue so that your information and money stay safe.
Random Person Sent Me Money on Cash App: What to Do
If a stranger’s Cash App profile looks suspicious, the best way to handle this random person sending money is to block them immediately. This step prevents them from engaging in any financial activities with the account. Most incidents occur because of user error, but significant transfers often indicate a scam.
With over 40 million users and growing, Cash App experiences numerous incidents of human error each month. When someone sends you a small amount that seems like it is out of the blue, the first step is to verify that the stranger isn’t someone from your family or a friend who is paying you for something.
If you’ve verified that no one is purposely sending you cash, the best option is to refund the amount to the username.
Returning the money isn’t always an option. You can start a dispute process if the charge is something you didn’t expect to receive through Cash App.
Users eventually realize their error if the money was sent to someone mistakenly. They’ll open a dispute with Cash App, which means it’ll get returned. If you don’t want to deal with the issue at all, you can wait for that outcome to happen. Just remember to keep that money available instead of using it.
If your Cash App account is overdrawn when a dispute is filed from a mistaken payment, the refund still gets processed. You’ll end up with a negative balance that needs to get rectified according to the terms and conditions outlined in the user agreement.
What Can I Do If I Get a Stranger’s Money on Cash App?
Cash App scams work like most others on money-based platforms. The goal is to trick you into giving up your profile information or to send funds to them that you’ll never see again.
If a stranger sends you money on Cash App, you can take these three actions to ensure it is an honest mistake instead of a potential scam.
- Refund the Original Sender. The fastest way to correct the issue is to return the money as soon as possible. This action stops it from being associated with your account. It helps to take the extra step of confirming with Cash App that a dispute has been opened if a large sum is deposited. You’ll lessen the risk of owing someone else who got scammed this way.
- Block the User. Whenever someone sends you money on Cash App unexpectedly, it helps to review that person’s profile. If it looks suspicious, block them. You won’t be engaging in any monetary transfers in the future, which means that the account cannot scam you.
- Contact Customer Service. Cash App makes it easy to get the help you need when something unexpected happens. Reach out to one of their friendly representatives to safely resolve the issue.
When the user profile doesn’t look suspicious, you might consider asking that individual to cancel the payment. Engaging with someone can cause the conversation to escalate quickly, which is why the best option is to speak with customer service.
Several Scams Are Active on Cash App
If you’re wondering why a stranger might send you money on Cash App, the most common reason involves simple user error. These issues are typically resolved right away as the sender opens a dispute with a customer service representative. You don’t need to take any extra steps in this circumstance beyond not spending the money.
Cash App scammers keep finding new ways to get money from people, but there are a few tricks you’ll see more often than others. When you can learn to recognize the potential scams if you receive something from someone you don’t know, it’ll be easier to respond more appropriately.
Here’s a closer look at the different scams that you might encounter when a stranger sends you money on Cash App.
1. The Refund Scam
This issue involves sending money to your Cash App account. The individual then contacts you directly, saying that it was an accident.
You might get asked to send the funds back to a different account than the one that sent the money your way.
Some senders will request less money than what they provided, while others might ask for more. The goal is to receive information about your account when you send them a transaction.
It is possible for the scammer to convince the Cash App support team that the initial payment was a mistake, forcing you to do the same with the money you sent. That creates a circumstance where you’re paying them twice for the transaction.
The best option is to contact customer service and let them sort out the issue. If you decide to send a refund, only return it to the original sender if the profile looks legitimate.
2. The Fake Prize Scam
Another popular scam involving a stranger sending random payments on Cash App is telling someone they’ve won a contest or an award. The transaction you receive is considered a partial payment in the note.
You’re asked to send back a small payment for administrative and processing fees to receive the rest of what you’ve allegedly won.
This sequence ends when the scammer disputes the money they sent while running off with the rest of your “deposit.”
If you don’t enter a contest, then you won’t win any money. This scam relies on greed to be successful, so block the user and don’t engage with them. Don’t spend the money either if they open a dispute.
3. The Fake Payment Scam
Some scammers don’t bother to send money before contacting you about a potential transaction. Although technology does create lag in some situations, the transfers on Cash App are generally quick. There won’t be delays of several hours or days.
If someone says they sent you money and you don’t have it, do not send them anything in good faith. Some scammers are bold with this attempt, demanding funds by threatening you with different circumstances or negative outcomes.
Fishing scams fit into this category. You might receive a text that says a transaction is pending in your account. They ask you to click a link if it isn’t authorized.
Don’t click the link.
You can block these people without hesitation. Should you feel you owe something, you can always speak with a Cash App representative.
4. The Customer Support Scam
It’s important to remember that Cash App’s customer service team doesn’t offer live help. When you’re speaking with them, it’s a back-and-forth exchange that takes time to complete.
Some scammers have learned how to impersonate these representatives by using phone scams. They create a fake website with support numbers that appear in Google Search when you need help from a Cash App employee.
You call the number, thinking that you’re speaking with an actual representative. Instead, the bad actors take your login information and hijack the account. Never give someone your Cash App PIN or sign-in code.
5. The Cash Flipping Scam
There’s one rule to follow on Cash App. If something seems too good to be true, it’s a scam. One of the popular ways to get access to your money is the promise to flip payments into profits. They often promise to double or triple what you send, then promise a bigger rate.
These money circles are like a pyramid scheme where only the person at the top gets anything out of the deal.
The best line of defense in this circumstance is to avoid sending any money to people you don’t know. Keep transactions between your family and friends – or people you trust. There isn’t a deal that’s good enough out there worth risking your Cash App account.
6. The Fake Cash App Friday Offers
How could people get duped into thinking they’ve won a prize by scammers? Cash App holds a weekly sweepstakes where people can win cash prizes, so bad actors take advantage of this benefit.
You can find dozens of fake events on virtually all social media platforms using the official hashtag promotion. There are fraudulent raffles, user messages, and transfer requests associated with these activities.
The goal is to have someone share their Cash App login credentials to get a chance to win that prize. You won’t win anything in return, and users don’t need to submit a PIN or sign-in code for official entries.
7. The Crypto Scams
Be skeptical of anyone on Cash App who approaches you with a potential investment opportunity. One of the biggest hooks right now involves asking people to get involved with cryptocurrency purchases.
There aren’t any unbelievable opportunities to invest in ground-floor crypto products today. If you want to buy and sell it, you can go to reputable platforms or use the investing function to own slices of your preferred companies for as little as $1.
You don’t need to send money to someone else to accomplish an authentic Cash App investment. Several viable platforms let you trade crypto without the help of a stranger who says they’re an expert.
If you want to invest in cryptocurrencies, consider speaking with a locally trusted financial advisor.
8. The Hacking Scams
Your money can’t be stolen if someone finds your Cash App name. If you’re not following proper security protocols, it is possible for someone to hijack the account if you reuse passwords across multiple platforms.
People can purchase password lists on the dark web from data breaches. They run this information against numerous online accounts, looking for places where duplicate information can help them get more info, reset passwords, or trick people into sharing login credentials.
The best way to avoid this Cash App scam is to enable two-factor authentication. Use a unique and strong password for your account, and then do the same for your email.
Never share your login credentials, password reset links, or two-factor authentication codes with anyone. If someone asks for this information, that should be an immediate red flag.
9. The Romance Scams
The first step is to win your trust. Next, you’ll see some love bombing tactics. After a few weeks pass, the scammer tells you that they need money for an emergency and ask for a transfer via Cash App.
When this issue happens, it usually begins somewhere other than Cash App. It could be on social media or through a dating profile.
You’ll get asked for more and more until you’re left with an empty bank account when the scammer ghosts you. Try to limit the personal information you share with people you meet.
The goal is to play with your emotions, so try to set those thoughts aside. Focus on the reason why you might be asked to send cash in this situation.
How to Manage the Aftermath of a Stranger Sending Money on Cash App
The best solution is to block anyone who sends money on Cash App without a valid reason. This step protects users from potential scams while protecting their personal information and funds. Contact a customer service representative if additional help is needed through the links provided by the software.
Back in 2007, before Cash App or most of these payment solutions existed, I received a message on social media asking for money. It was from the girl I dated in high school, but we hadn’t spoken in nearly ten years.
It seemed innocuous at first. She asked me about how life had been and what I was currently up to at the moment. I thought the outreach effort was authentic, so I sent a note back about what we’d been doing as a family.
Once I sent a response, she asked me for money. She said her husband had been laid off, her kids were struggling without food, and even a little bit would help. “You can just send me your PayPal details,” she said.
Once I saw that request, followed by a note saying how much she loved me, all the red flags started flying.
That seemed out of character for her, so I started doing some research while she kept trying to convince me to send her money. The account was newly created, there was a second profile that seemed more complete, and there was the fact that she would never ask for money from someone like me.
I asked a couple of questions that she would be able to answer specifically, but I got generic responses. After that, I just blocked the scammer who was trying to get my money.
It’s easier than ever on Cash App for scams to start. When a stranger sends you money, don’t think of it as a gift. You can do the right thing by not engaging with the original sender. If your conscience demands action, send a note to customer service to discuss the situation.
People always want something for nothing. Taking these steps to protect your account will reduce the risk of having an unwanted outcome develop.
