I'm a current Cashapp user, but I do remember using Venmo a very long time ago for online purchases like Steam games.

I haven't used this app in ages but I'm willing to try something new if it offers better features than Cashapp. Paypal also looks like a good alternative. I've also seen it being advertised as a game on Roblox.

What are some benefits of using Venmo over Cashapp? As a customer, how is your experience with support and account safety so far?

Thanks in advance.

I will try to keep this explanation both concise and thorough. Any advice regarding further steps I can take would be greatly appreciated.

Back in early April I sold something to an acquaintance and he paid me through Venmo. In early May, he messages me explaining that he accidentally paid me using his girlfriend’s card that was linked to his account instead of his own card. Neither of them realized it, so apparently she thought it was a fraudulent transaction when she saw it in her bank and reported it through the bank (BOA) as a fraudulent charge. He found this out because Venmo froze his account, so he reached out to let me know what happened and that his girlfriend was contacting the bank to cancel the chargeback request. I checked my account and found that a hold had been placed on it.

A couple days later, he messaged me back letting me know that Venmo had unfrozen his account. At that point, I went ahead and reached out to Venmo to explain the situation in hopes that it would keep it from affecting me further since they had not released the hold on my account. Unfortunately, this did not help as the next day Venmo froze my account and initiated a chargeback for the full amount I was initially paid (which was more than the available funds in my account at the time, causing my balance to go negative). When I reached out to Venmo again, I received a response informing me that since the chargeback was initiated by the bank, I would have to wait for the bank’s decision on that matter and that Venmo would have to stand by whatever decision the bank issued. Furthermore, they said the review process could take up to 75 calendar days. In the meantime, if I want to restore my account to use, I can pay Venmo enough to cover my negative balance and then if the review comes back in my favor, I will be refunded my balance that was initially taken plus any additional amount I paid to cover the pending chargeback. I have refused to do this because I do not want to risk losing more money. I’m already out a few hundred dollars, I don’t have enough faith in Venmo to risk being out a few hundred more.

Since then, I’ve reached out periodically to Venmo customer service and have gotten the same basic response as their initial email regarding the review process, up to 75 days, etc. They’ve been no help at all. It’s now been over 75 days since this issue started and my account is still frozen. I’ve checked with the other guy several times and he’s confirmed that they canceled the chargeback through the bank. I am about to send another email to Venmo demanding they unfreeze my account and restore my funds that were basically stolen from me. I don’t see any reason as to why I am continuing to be penalized with no recourse.

Would it be worth it to threaten filing a complaint or report through the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau or some similar entity? Is there some way for me to contact the bank to request details of the chargeback and get official confirmation that it was cancelled? I’d like to trust this guy, but I’d rather have direct proof that he isn’t yanking my chain. I’ve just never dealt with a situation like this before and it has been extremely frustrating.

Anyone waiting on direct deposits first or past users, post the times and if you’re still waiting here. Cheers!

Received 8 phone calls back to back. Listened to the first voicemail and it stated “We're calling to confirm the registration of a new account using this phone number. If you're not trying to register an account, please press one immediately to cancel this process. If you are, simply ignore this message.”

I tried to ignore obviously, but kept getting call back immediately after declining.

So I answered and pressed 1. Sent me the 6 digit authorization code via text message. Then asked me to enter that code via telephone.

Immediately knew it was a scam. Logged into my account to verify there were no unauthorized transactions, then called support. They were immediately able to tell me it was a scam by verifying the phone number. Changed my password and removed all saved devices.

Just wanted to post for awareness.