KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Venmo, an app used by roughly 40 million people across the nation, has become the target of scammers.
The service allows users to send or receive money with just a few clicks by connecting to their bank accounts.
"This one, it's not unreasonable for someone to receive a text from Venmo saying there has been a debit from your account. Check on it," said Detective Lori Meadors with the Kansas City Police Department’s Ecomonic Crime Division.
As part of the scam, users receive a text message sending them to a website to stop a transaction, asking them to put in their financial information.
"You'll have to confirm your bank account number and your credit card information and from there, they got you," said Lance Shriner, technology expert at Integral Computer Consultants.
Meadors said it’s easy to see how people are falling for the scam.
"I feel like it's a reasonable way an app would communicate with the customer,” Meadors said. “I am sure people are going to fall for it.”
The website then asks users to put in other information, such as card numbers, as a way of verifying their identity.
But beware: It’s a scammer, not Venmo, asking for that information.
Meadors said when in doubt, always refer to the company’s website to double-check before giving away this type of personal information.
"What I always tell people as a general rule when it's a scam via text or phone call or on the computer, go back to the legit source,” Meadors said. “If you have someone calling you from the utility company saying they need money, go to your utility bill and call them.”
Shriner echoed those sentiments, warning people to be careful, no matter what.
"The phishing attempts like the Venmo, it's nothing new,” Shriner said. “It's another strain of phishing that's taking part right now.”
KCPD and Overland Park police said no one has reported being a victim of the scam.
For more information about Venmo’s security measures, click here.
