Random Person Sent Me Money on Cash App [2024]

Your phone pings, you look down, and then the happiness begins: “A random person sent me money on Cash App. Hooray!”

But then your spidey senses start tingling. Isn’t there something suspicious here?

Yes, there is. 

Lots of times, getting money from a random person means you’re being targeted in a Cash App scam.

American consumers lost almost $8.8 billion to scammers in the last year. You don’t want your money contributing to this year’s total!

Below, I’ll tell you how to respond when a Cash App “rando” sends you a chunk of change.

Random Person Sent Me Money on Cash App: What to Do?

Getting money from a random person on Cash App can be exciting at first. And then, when you realize something sketchy might be going on, the nerves kick in.

But relax. If you respond the right way, you and your money will be completely safe.

Here’s what to do when you receive money from a random person on Cash App.

Decline “Payment Requests” to Return the Money

So you’re a good person, and your first instinct is to return something that doesn’t belong to you. But in this case, your honest intentions could cost you.

Sometimes, scammers send money to a random person on Cash App from a stolen or fraudulent card. Then, they ask for the money back through a separate payment. Once they receive that payment, they’ll immediately dispute the transaction with their bank. That way, they can get the money you sent them and their bank’s reimbursement. 

You can return the money, but you need to send it as a “refund” of the initial transaction, not as a separate payment. (More on that below.)

Do NOT Send Them Any Additional Payments

Under no circumstances should you send the person any payments whatsoever (besides a refund of the initial transaction). 

Some scammers might claim the random transfer was the first part of a “prize,” and to get the second part, you just have to send them a small fee. They want you to think, “So a random person sent me money on Cash App, and now they’re going to send me more? Yippee!” 

But when you send them that “fee,” they’ll ride off into the sunset. 

Oh, and if the initial payment was possibly made from a stolen card or compromised account. So yeah, it’s best not to get involved!

Do NOT Spend the Money

You’re hardly alone if you think, “A random person sent me money on Cash App. Time for a shopping spree!”

But here’s the thing: That money was quite possibly stolen.

You’re much better off trying to find out where the money came from before you actually use it. And if it’s truly from some random person, you should refund it or get in touch with Cash App customer support. 

Do NOT Give Any Personal Information

Whatever you do, don’t share anything personal with the person who sent the money. Don’t tell them your Cash App PIN, password, bank account number, or anything else that could be compromising.

In fact, just don’t tell them anything at all! They might act all ‘buddy-buddy,’ but don’t let your guard down. If it’s a normal person who just made a mistake, they’ll understand why you’re being cautious. 

And this is definitely a case of “better safe than sorry.”

Check Out the Sender’s Profile

Looking at the sender’s profile can give you a better idea of what the situation is all about. 

Click on the transaction in your Cash App transaction history. From there, you can access the sender’s profile. You’ll be able to see their “$Cashtag” (username) and whether they’ve sent you money before. 

Of course, don’t trust everything you see. The sender could be faking an identity or even impersonating someone you know. Just use your “recon mission” to look for clues, and then confirm any apparent personal connection by reaching out to the person outside of Cash App.

Check With Friends and Family

Do you think the sender might have been someone you know? If so, you need to check with them before you spend the money. 

After all, it could be a scammer who’s impersonating a friend, relative, or colleague. 

It only takes 5 seconds to text, “Hey, this was you, right?” Trust me – it’s worth it.

Refund the Payment

Once you’ve determined the money came from a total stranger, your best bet is to refund the payment.

*Warning* Returning the money as a separate payment is not the same as refunding it. Don’t send the person a separate payment, and don’t accept a payment request. You could end up losing money.

Here’s the safe way to refund a Cash App payment:

1. On the Cash App home screen, tap “Activity”
2. Tap the payment you want to refund
3. Select “Refund”
4. Tap “OK”

Block Repeat Offenders

I can hear the panic in your voice already: “A random person sent me money on Cash App…again!”

If the same random person sends you money twice, it’s probably time to block them.

Here’s how to block a user on Cash App:

1. On the Cash App home screen, tap “Activity”
2. Tap the person’s name
3. Scroll down and tap “Block”

Contact Cash App Customer Support

If you think something sketchy is going on, it’s often best to contact Cash App directly.

The easiest way to contact Cash App customer support is by going through the App itself.

Here’s how to start a chat with Cash App support:

1. On the Cash App home screen, tap your profile icon
2. Tap “Support”
3. Find “Contact Support” at the bottom of the screen
4. Tap “Chat”
5. Tell customer support, “A random person sent me money on Cash App”

Other ways to contact Cash App customer support include:

• By phone at 1-800-969-1940 (Monday-Friday, 9 AM – 7 PM EST)
• On social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Twitch, Reddit)
• Through the mail (Block, Inc. 1955 Broadway, Suite 600 Oakland, CA 94612)

You won’t be the first person to tell customer service, “A random person sent me money on Cash App!” They’ve seen it before, and they’ll know how to handle it.

Random Person Sent Me Money on Cash App: Possible Reasons Why

Let me be honest. If a random person sent me money on Cash App, I would respond with optimism. It’s a secret admirer! Or even better… Santa Clause! He’s real!

And then reality would set in.

Here are the actual reasons a random person would send you money on Cash App. 

A Cash App Scam

If you receive money from a random person on Cash App, there are a few scams that could be underway.

Cash App Scam #1:

1. A criminal sends you money on Cash App. 
2. They claim it was a mistake and ask you to pay them back through a separate payment.
3. You send them the money. 
4. They dispute the initial transaction with their bank so they can receive a reimbursement along with the money you returned to them.

Cash App Scam #2:

1. A criminal steals a Cash App card or hacks into a Cash App account.
2. They send you money from the stolen account, claiming it’s the first installment of a special “prize.”
3. They tell you that, in order to receive the rest of your prize, you have to send them a fee.
4. You send them the fee, and they disappear.

A Genuine Mistake

It’s easy to send money to the wrong person on Cash App. All you have to do is mess up a single character in the recipient’s $Cashtag or phone number. 

And so when you get money from a random person, it could very well be a simple, genuine mistake.

You can give the person their money back, but make sure you do it through a “refund.” Do not send them a separate payment or fulfill a payment request, even if they seem totally honest. Because with digital interactions, you really never know.

If you’re interested in learning how to load more money on your Cash App card without random strangers, read this article answering, “Where can I reload my Cash App card for free?”

Commonly Asked Questions About Random Person Sent Me Money on Cash App

How Does Cash App Work? 

Cash App is a smartphone app that lets you send and receive payments for free. There’s also a Cash App debit card for shopping. And to maximize convenience, you can have your paycheck sent to Cash App through direct deposit. 

Is Cash App Safe? 

Thanks to its super-legit security technology, Cash App is completely safe. All the information you share is encrypted, and the fraud detection system is top-notch. That said, make sure you watch out for scams. Some bad actors use Cash App to trick people into giving them money. 

Is Cash App Legit?

Cash App is a legit platform for making and receiving payments. It’s part of Block, Inc. – a massive company that also runs the payment processing product called Square. So, if companies like Shake Shack and Rawlings trust this corporation, you can, too!

Is Cash App a Scam?

Cash App definitely isn’t a scam. It’s a legit app for making and receiving payments, and it’s run by Block, Inc. – a super reputable company. Cash App is also completely honest about its fees, and most of its services are free, anyway.

Alternatives to Cash App?

There are a few payment services that are similar to Cash App, including:

• Revolut
• PayPal
• MoneyGram
• Wise
• Pangea Money Transfer

Also, be sure to also check if you’re eligible for Cash App Borrow.

Is It Safe to Receive Money on Cash App From Strangers?

If you receive money from a random stranger on Cash App, it could be part of a scam. It’s best to return the money – but make sure you do it as a “refund” and not a separate payment. And if you’re at all sketched out, just contact Cash App customer support. 

Can Someone Who Sends You Money on Cash App Hack You? 

Someone can’t hack you just by sending you money on Cash App. They’ll be able to see your $Cashtag (username), but that’s not enough to gain access to your account.

What Happens When Someone Sends Me Money on Cash App? 

When you receive a payment on Cash App, the money will be available immediately. From there, you decide what to do with it. You can keep it in Cash App, send it to someone else, or cash out to your debit card.