Venmo/Zelle Payment Hold Scam on Facebook Marketplace

Scammers target people selling items on sites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist by pretending to be interested buyers. They claim they’ll pay you using Venmo or Zelle and may ask for your email or phone number. After you provide it, you receive a fake message (by text or email) saying your payment is “on hold” or can’t be released unless you receive additional funds or verify your account. The message may mention business accounts, new rules, or KYC requirements, and often lists a phone number to call “support.” The scammer’s goal is to either trick you into sending them money, sharing personal info, or contacting them directly.

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Primary example

How this scam works

  1. 1

    Step 1: You list an item for sale on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.

  2. 2

    Step 2: A scammer quickly agrees to buy the item and offers to pay using Venmo or Zelle.

  3. 3

    Step 3: After you provide your payment information, you receive a message claiming your payment is on hold, often due to 'business account limits' or 'new regulations.'

  4. 4

    Step 4: The message says you need to receive a larger amount or initiate a refund to unlock your money, or asks you to call a phone number for help.

  5. 5

    Step 5: The scammer tries to get you to send them money or give up personal details.

✓ Do this

  • Only trust payment notifications you see directly in your Venmo or Zelle app.
  • Meet local buyers in person and choose cash if possible.
  • If you get a suspicious payment hold message, ignore it and check your real payment app for activity.
  • Report any suspicious buyers or messages to the marketplace and payment service.

✗ Avoid this

  • Don’t trust messages saying you need to receive more money to release your funds.
  • Don’t send refunds or additional money to buyers or anyone claiming to be customer support.
  • Don’t call phone numbers or reply to email addresses in messages like these—they go to the scammer.
  • Don’t share extra personal information beyond what’s required for payment.

Quick tip: Verify independently

Don’t call numbers or click links in unexpected messages. Go directly to the company’s official site or app and contact support from there.

See common red flags