In an increasingly digital world, how we manage financial transactions is evolving. Venmo, a peer-to-peer payment platform, has emerged as a convenient and widely adopted tool for handling various monetary exchanges, including loans and borrowings. It makes it easy for both the lender and borrower to see the transaction history, which can mitigate disputes and misunderstandings.
Quick Summary
Along with allowing users to split bills or repay lunch money, Venmo can also be the perfect solution for loaning and borrowing sums of money. Let’s see the entire process of using Venmo for loaning and borrowing, such as creating an account, requesting and receiving funds, maintaining security, and avoiding scams. By following these steps, you can make loaning or borrowing money through Venmo convenient and hassle-free.
Creating a Venmo Account
Download the Venmo app
Download the Venmo app to your smartphone to use it. Users of iOS can download from the App Store, and Android users can download Venmo for free from the Google Play Store.
Sign up and Verify your Identity
After downloading the app, create an account by entering
- Your email address,
- Phone number,
- And password,
You’ll then need to verify your identity with
- Your name,
- Date of birth,
- And the last four digits of your Social Security Number (you may be asked to submit a photo of a government-issued ID).
Link a Bank Account
To receive money on Venmo, you’ll also need to link a bank account. To do this, click on the menu icon in the top left corner of the Venmo app > Settings > Payment Methods > Add a bank or card. Select your bank from the list or enter your routing and account numbers manually. Finally, confirm that your bank account is connected by verifying two small deposits made by Venmo into your account. Now you’re ready to receive payment – request it from another user!
Receiving Money on Venmo for Loans and Borrowings
Requesting money
Here is what you need to do if you are requesting money on Venmo:
- Open the app and hit “Request,”
- Enter the loan or borrowing amount and a message describing your request,
- Choose whom you’re requesting from,
- Then click “Request” to send it out.
You can also send reminders for unpaid requests by clicking on the “Reminder” button next to the transaction.
Receiving money
To receive money that someone sent you on Venmo, open the app and select the “☰” icon in the top left corner. Then, click “Balance” to check your Venmo balance – if you see the amount listed, you’ve successfully received it, and it’s available for use. Finally, click on the “Transfer to Bank” button to deposit it into a bank account of your choice.
Understanding Venmo transaction fees
With Venmo, there’s no fee for standard transfers from your Venmo balance to a bank account. However, if you need the money quickly, you can opt for an instant transfer – that’ll cost a 1% fee of the amount transferred, with a minimum fee of $0.25 and a maximum of $10. Instant transfers are only available with certain debit cards and bank accounts.
Ensuring Security and Avoiding Scams
Verifying the person sending the money
Before accepting money on Venmo, it’s essential to ensure the sender is who they claim to be. Verify their username, profile picture, and transaction history, and consider confirming the transaction with them via text message or phone call as additional security measures.
Understanding common Venmo scams
Scammers frequently target Venmo users using techniques like phishing schemes and phony payments. It’s critical to be aware of prevalent Venmo frauds, including overpayment fraud, phishing emails and messages, and false payment notifications. Never accept payments from strangers or people you don’t know well to safeguard yourself from these scams. Avoid sending money to anyone you don’t trust, and be suspicious of any payment alerts or emails that require you to click a link or provide personal information.
Reporting suspicious activity
If you spot any suspicious activity on your Venmo account, such as unauthorized transactions or phishing attempts, it’s essential to contact Venmo customer service immediately. You can also use the “Report a Problem” feature in the app – Venmo takes security seriously and will investigate any suspicious activity reports on your account.
The Bottom Line
Receiving money on Venmo for loans and borrowings can be a convenient and easy process to manage your finances. However, it’s crucial to be mindful of the potential security risks and take precautions to protect yourself from scams. By following the steps outlined in this guide and exercising caution – such as not accepting payments from strangers – you can use Venmo safely for receiving money for loans and borrowings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q. Is Venmo safe to use for loan and borrowing transactions?
A. Venmo is generally safe for loan and borrowing transactions, but you should be aware of the security risks and take necessary precautions to avoid scams and protect your account.
Q. What is the maximum amount of money I can receive on Venmo?
A. Venmo has a maximum weekly transaction limit of $4,999.99.
Q. Are there any fees associated with receiving money on Venmo?
A. Venmo does not charge any fees for standard bank transfers, but it does charge a fee for instant transfers to your bank account.
Q. Can I request money from someone who is not on Venmo?
A. No, you can only request money from users who are on Venmo.
Q. How long does it take for money to transfer from Venmo to my bank account?
A. Standard bank transfers can take 1-3 business days, while instant transfers are usually processed within minutes.
Q. Can I use Venmo to receive money from international transactions?
A. No, Venmo is only available for transactions within the United States.
Q. Can I use Venmo for business transactions?
A. Venmo is intended for personal use only and should not be used for business transactions.
Q. What should I do if I suspect fraudulent activity on my Venmo account?
A. If you suspect fraudulent activity on your Venmo account, you should contact Venmo customer service immediately and report the suspicious activity. You can also take steps to secure your account, such as changing your password and enabling two-factor authentication.

Khadija Khartit is a personal finance who has 25 years of experience in banking, corporate finance, crypto, financial planning, and investing. She worked for and co-advised with leading investment banks such as UBS, Deutsche Bank, HSBC, Credit Suisse, Barclays, and Banque Populaire.