Venmo asks for ID verification including social security #?

amother

Fri, Nov 13 2020, 2:18 pm

I got an email from venmo that says if I don't verify my identity they won't continue to allow me to use it. In the email it says to go to the app and settings and verify with the last 4 digits of my social security number. I don't want to give that to them. Why are they asking for this?

ra_mom

Fri, Nov 13 2020, 2:19 pm

Call them from the number you have for them (do not use the number provided in the email). Very unlikely that email came from them at all. Be super careful.

SixOfWands

Fri, Nov 13 2020, 2:22 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

I got an email from venmo that says if I don't verify my identity they won't continue to allow me to use it. On the verification, they ask for the last 4 digits of my social security number. I don't want to give that to them. Why are they asking for this?

Check the email that it comes from. It sounds fake.

amother

Fri, Nov 13 2020, 4:09 pm

The email said to log on to the app and on the app, it asked for the social security number, not on the email. So I have no reason to suspect it's not legit, but I just don't want to give my social on the app. Any way around this?

amother

Sat, Nov 14 2020, 7:58 pm

Any way around it? Are there other pay apps where you don't have to give SS #?

healthymom1

Sat, Nov 14 2020, 7:59 pm

Noo. If they sent you a link via email its a fake app/sign in.

Call venmo

amother

Sat, Nov 14 2020, 8:32 pm

healthymom1 wrote:

Noo. If they sent you a link via email its a fake app/sign in.

Call venmo

It's in settings on the app. I didn't click on a link to go to the app.

square_peg

Sat, Nov 14 2020, 8:32 pm

You don't get an account until you are verified. Any email from Venmo to verify is spam. Never give anyone your social security number. Never follow a link to a website, unless you requested it due to lost login information.

amother

Sat, Nov 14 2020, 8:44 pm

square_peg wrote:

I edited the OP- I didn't click on any link. They told me to go to the app, settings, and under verification to put the last 4 of my ss. Any way around it?

square_peg

Sat, Nov 14 2020, 8:47 pm

amother [ OP ] wrote:

I edited the OP- I didn't click on any link. They told me to go to the app, settings, and under verification to put the last 4 of my ss. Any way around it?

OK. that does sound legit. I can't remember if I had to do that. Is your Venmo working without it? Maybe use zelle instead?

groovy1224

Sat, Nov 14 2020, 9:10 pm

Asking for the last 4 digits of your social isn't the same as asking for your whole social. Of course, if you aren't comfortable with it, you can decline to provide it and stop using the app. But the request is legit:

https://help.venmo.com/hc/en-u.....umber

amother

Natural

Sat, Nov 14 2020, 9:17 pm

Venmo is basically an online bank account. You always need to give a social for a bank account.

notshanarishona

Sat, Nov 14 2020, 9:24 pm

PayPal started asking for it also to verify accounts. Seems to be the new norm.

amother

Sat, Nov 14 2020, 10:40 pm

square_peg wrote:

OK. that does sound legit. I can't remember if I had to do that. Is your Venmo working without it? Maybe use zelle instead?

Is zelle associated with a certain bank or anyone can use it?

amother

Sun, Nov 15 2020, 8:43 pm

groovy1224 wrote:

I haven't transferred over $300, so I don't know why they're asking for it now.