News & Insights

"Once your money's gone on a peer-to-peer app, it’s probably gone for good."
— Federal Trade Commission (FTC), 2024

Ouch. That’s a rough way to open an article. But if you’re here, there’s a good chance you're trying to figure out what to do right now. Maybe you’ve already been scammed on Cash App. Maybe someone is pressuring you to send money, promising some kind of too-good-to-be-true reward. Or maybe it’s that sinking feeling in your gut after realizing you gave a stranger access to your account.

Related Page: PROTECTING YOURSELF FROM COMMON SCAMS IN 2025

You're not alone. According to a report by the FTC, peer-to-peer payment scams have increased over 80% since 2020—with Cash App being one of the most impersonated platforms.

The bad news? Cash App transactions are like handing someone cash—fast, final, and hard to reverse.
The good news? You can report it. And you should. Right now.

This guide walks you through exactly how to report a scam on Cash App—step by step. It’s clear, honest, and designed to give you the best shot at protecting yourself and possibly recovering your money. No fluff. No generic advice. Just what actually works.

Step 1: Confirm That It Is a Scam

Before you hit the panic button, let’s make sure you’re actually dealing with a scam.

Here are some red flags that indicate a Cash App scam:

• Someone asks you to send money first before they send anything back (the "flip" scam).
• A stranger claims they’re from Cash App support—but only communicates by text or social DMs.
• You receive a suspicious link asking you to log into Cash App.
• You get a message saying “You’ve won a Cash App giveaway!” with a request to “verify” your info.

If any of that sounds familiar, you’re dealing with a scam. Full stop.

Step 2: Freeze, Don’t Engage

Scammers want speed. They’ll pressure you with urgency—“Act now or lose your chance!” That’s your cue to stop engaging.

Here’s what you should do immediately:

• Do not respond further to the scammer.
• Take screenshots of every interaction. Capture usernames, timestamps, and payment IDs.
• Log out of your Cash App if you clicked on a suspicious link and change your password.

Now that you’ve hit pause, it’s time to take action.

Step 3: Report the Scam in Cash App

Cash App actually does offer in-app tools to report scams—but they’re buried a bit.

Follow these steps:

Inside the App:

1. Open Cash App
2. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner.
3. Scroll down and select “Support”
4. Tap “Report a Payment Issue” (if it was a transaction)
5. Follow the prompts to submit your case
   
   

If it wasn’t a payment (e.g., a fake support message or phishing attempt), go to:

Be as detailed as possible. Include:

• Date and time of the scam
• Username or $Cashtag of the scammer
• The amount of money involved
• Screenshots of any messages or requests

This creates an official paper trail—and yes, they do review these.

Step 4: Contact Cash App Support (The Real One)

Scammers love pretending to be Cash App support. Cash App does not offer live phone support. If you call a number from Google or a social media post claiming to be “Cash App Help,” odds are you're talking to a scammer—again.

Instead, use only the official support channel:

• Visit https://cash.app/help
• Tap “Contact Support”
• Log into your account and describe the issue

If you have Twitter, you can also DM @CashSupport (yes, this one is real—but be careful, as fake accounts often copy it).

Step 5: Report the Scam to the FTC and IC3

Cash App might not be able to reverse your payment—but the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) track patterns and help law enforcement crack down on these scams.

Here’s where to go:

• Report to the FTC: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov
• Report to the FBI’s IC3: https://www.ic3.gov

Be clear and thorough. These aren’t just forms—they’re part of national investigations.

Step 6: Inform Your Bank or Credit Card Company (If Connected)

If you linked Cash App to a debit or credit card and the scam somehow pulled money from your bank account, contact your bank immediately.

Some financial institutions offer:

• Fraud protection if it went through your debit card
• Chargeback options if you used a credit card
  
  

Even though Cash App payments are hard to reverse, your bank may still be able to help if your card was used.

Step 7: Secure Your Account

Scammers who get access to your Cash App credentials might still be lurking.

Here’s how to lock it down:

• Change your Cash App PIN and password
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) via your phone number or email
• Turn on notifications for every transaction
• Review linked accounts and unlink anything suspicious

Consider contacting your mobile carrier too. SIM swapping is another common scam tactic.

Step 8: Alert Others So They Don’t Fall For It

This part’s optional—but important.

Scammers thrive in silence. If you post a warning about your experience on Reddit, Facebook, or even just among friends and family, it can stop the cycle.

You could literally save someone else from the same fate.

How to Spot a Fake Cash App Message

Because they’re getting really sneaky.

Here are a few examples of phony messages that often pop up:

• “You’ve been randomly selected for a Cash App grant! Just verify your identity.”
• “Your Cash App account has been suspended. Call this number immediately.”
• “We noticed unusual activity. Please log in using the link below.”

Don't. Click. Anything.

Cash App will never:

• Ask for your PIN or sign-in code outside the app
• Ask for payment to receive a “reward”
• Send messages from random Gmail or Hotmail addresses
• Call you directly for support

If it feels off, it is.

Can You Get Your Money Back?

Let’s be honest—recovering money from a Cash App scam is tough. But it’s not always hopeless.

Here’s your best chance of getting money back:

• You used a credit card and report the fraud within your card issuer’s dispute window
• You caught it within hours and reported it immediately to Cash App
• You caught a fraudulent account early and Cash App froze it

That’s why it’s critical to report scams ASAP, even if it feels like a long shot.

You’re not dumb. You’re not alone. You’re just human.

Scammers are sophisticated—and ruthless. They prey on urgency, fear, and trust. But now you’ve got the knowledge, the steps, and the tools to fight back.

If you’ve been targeted, take a breath. Then take action.

The sooner, the better.