Skip to content
SuperMoney logo
SuperMoney logo

Why Is Venmo Declining My Payment? (2024 Guide)

Last updated 04/03/2024 by

SuperMoney Team

Edited by

Summary:
A declined Venmo payment can stem from insufficient funds, technical issues, or account limitations. This guide offers troubleshooting steps and suggests considering alternative payment platforms if problems persist.
Imagine a night out with friends, and everyone splits the bill equally via paying with Venmo. Everyone else at the table is fine, but when you go to make the payment on your Venmo account, it doesn’t work. The payment was declined and now your life is over as you will never live down this awkward moment of not having any cash. Maybe this is happening to you right now, and you are Googling what’s going on with sweaty thumbs and you stumbled upon this article. Well, you are in luck; a declined Venmo payment isn’t the end of the world, and here is what you can do to help.

Get Competing Personal Loan Offers In Minutes

Compare rates from multiple vetted lenders. Discover your lowest eligible rate.
Get Personalized Rates
It's quick, free and won’t hurt your credit score

Why is Venmo declining my payment?

In most cases, Venmo is declining your payment due to insufficient funds, account limitations, and technical glitches. Typically, the reason can be figured out pretty easily by checking your bank and account details. If problems persist, however, you might need to contact Venmo. Let’s dig a little deeper into these reasons for declined payments.

Reasons for Venmo declining payments.

Using Venmo for quick money transfers is usually pretty seamless, yet occasionally, users might encounter some drama. most of the time Venmo payment problems such as insufficient funds, technical difficulties, and account restrictions are the issues most people have with their Venmo transfers.

Insufficient funds

A primary cause for Venmo payment rejections is a lack of funds in your linked bank account or card. To prevent this, verify your account balance is sufficient before making a payment. Regular account balance checks and expense tracking can help you avoid future payment rejections due to inadequate funds.

Technical difficulties

Sometimes, technical glitches may interfere with Venmo payments. These could stem from app malfunctions, server issues, or outdated application versions. If you think a technical glitch is to blame for a failed payment, restarting the app or your device and updating the app might resolve the issue.
Encountering a declined Venmo payment can be aggravating, particularly during urgent transactions. Occasionally, Venmo’s fraud detection system might mistakenly identify a transaction as suspicious, leading to a decline. Although this mechanism protects your funds, it can sometimes be overzealous. If this happens, patience and reaching out to Venmo support for help are crucial.
Venmo may not receive payment information accurately if you have a patchy WiFi signal, a weak data connection, or your app or phone freezes when you are attempting to make a payment. This might cause the payment to be marked as ambiguous and refused. The answer for this type of refused payment is to just wait a few seconds and try sending the cash again. Before retrying, restart both the Venmo app and the cell phone.” – Marom Anaky, Marketing Manager at Coinscipher

Account restrictions

Venmo transactions can also be declined due to account restrictions. These might involve international payments, dealings with high-risk accounts, transactions from a new device, or excessive transactions that result in chargebacks. Being aware of these restrictions can help you steer clear of payment issues.
To minimize the risk of account restrictions, keep your account details current and accurate. Keep an eye on your payment limits and refrain from actions that might be considered suspicious or high-risk. Should your account face limitations, getting in touch with Venmo customer support is the best course of action to rectify the situation.

What to do if your Venmo payment has been declined

If your Venmo payment has been declined, don’t reach for a weapon or table knife and start causing havoc. Consider this first.

Steps to take if your Venmo Payment is declined

If your Venmo payment is declined, it can be frustrating. However, there are several steps you can take to resolve the issue and ensure your transactions go through smoothly in the future.
  1. Check Your Bank or Card Provider: Sometimes, the issue might be with your bank or card provider. Ensure there are sufficient funds and that your card is not expired or blocked for online transactions.
  2. Update Your Card Information: If your card details have changed (e.g., a new expiration date), update this information in the Venmo app to prevent declines.
  3. Verify Your Bank Account Information: Double-check the banking information linked to your Venmo account for any errors or discrepancies.
  4. Check for App Glitches or Internet Connection Issues: Ensure your Venmo app is updated to the latest version and that you have a stable Internet connection.
  5. Contact Venmo Support: If you’ve tried the above steps and your payment is still declined, reach out to Venmo support for further assistance.
Venmo aims to balance user convenience with security measures to protect against fraud and ensure safe transactions for its users. Users should follow best practices, such as verifying payment details and maintaining account security, to avoid payment issues.” – Emma Davidson, Financial Advisor at Emerchant Authority

Competitors to Venmo you might want to consider

If technical glitches or any other Venmo-specific issue continues to cause you drama, then consider some of these mobile payment alternatives.
AppDetails
ZelleA fast, safe, and easy way to send money directly between almost any bank account in the U.S., typically within minutes. Zelle is integrated into many bank apps, making it convenient for users.
Cash AppAllows users to send money to friends and family for free with personal use, and also includes the ability to invest in stocks and Bitcoin. Cash App also offers a customizable debit card.
PayPalOne of the most well-known digital payment platforms, offering a wide range of services including sending and receiving money, purchasing goods, and more. PayPal is recognized internationally, facilitating global transactions.
Apple CashIntegrated into the Apple ecosystem, allowing users to send and receive money through iMessage or Siri. Apple Cash also offers the convenience of spending with Apple Pay.
Google PayA comprehensive app that enables users to send money to friends and family, pay bills, and make contactless payments in stores. Google Pay also aggregates loyalty cards and offers.
Meta PayFormerly known as Facebook Pay, it allows users to send money through Facebook Messenger. Meta Pay is designed to work seamlessly across the Meta platforms, including Instagram and WhatsApp.
Chime Pay AnyoneA feature by Chime that allows members to send money to anyone, even if the recipient is not a Chime member. Chime focuses on banking services with no hidden fees, alongside its payment features.

ProTip

“Venmo offers users tools and resources to enhance their own security posture, such as enabling transaction notifications and setting up account activity alerts. These features empower users to monitor their accounts closely and promptly report any suspicious activity to Venmo for investigation. By fostering a collaborative approach to security, Venmo and its users work together to uphold the integrity of the platform and safeguard against unauthorized transactions and potential security breaches.” – Hannah Sanderson, CEO and Founder at Clever Canadian

FAQ

Can I increase my Venmo sending limit?

Yes, you can request to increase your Venmo sending limit. Initially, Venmo sets a weekly rolling limit for sending funds. To request an increase, you need to verify your identity through the app by providing certain information such as your Social Security number, date of birth, and address. This process not only enhances the security of your transactions but also allows Venmo to comply with federal regulations. Once verified, your sending limit will be raised, allowing you to send more money to friends, family, or for transactions.

What should I do if I sent money to the wrong person on Venmo?

If you’ve accidentally sent money to the wrong person on Venmo, the first step is to send a request to that person asking for the money back. Politely explain the mistake in the payment note. If the person is unresponsive or refuses to return the funds, you can reach out to Venmo support for assistance. While Venmo cannot guarantee the return of mistakenly sent funds due to its user agreement policies, they can offer guidance on the next steps to take. Obviously, it’s crucial to double-check the recipient’s username before sending money to avoid such situations.

How secure is Venmo for large transactions?

Venmo employs bank-level security measures to protect your information and transactions, making it secure for large transactions. However, it’s important to use Venmo with people you know and trust, especially for significant amounts of money. Venmo’s platform encrypts your personal and financial data, and the app offers features like PIN codes and biometric authentication (like fingerprint and facial recognition) for added security. For large transactions, ensure your account is verified and consider transferring funds directly to your bank account instead of keeping a large balance in your Venmo account.

Can I use Venmo to pay for goods and services?

Yes, you can use Venmo to pay for goods and services with merchants that accept Venmo as a payment option. This feature is particularly useful for online shopping, food delivery apps, and other services. When paying merchants, you’re covered by Venmo’s Purchase Protection Program, which may offer refunds for certain transactions if you receive an item that doesn’t match the description or if you don’t receive the item at all. However, it’s essential to review the terms of the Purchase Protection Program to understand what is covered and the process for filing a claim.

Key takeaways

  • Common reasons for Venmo payment declines include insufficient funds, technical glitches, and account restrictions.
  • Regularly checking your account balance and ensuring your bank or card details are up-to-date can prevent many issues.
  • If a payment is declined due to Venmo’s fraud detection, patience and contacting Venmo support are key.
  • Exploring alternatives like Zelle, Cash App, or PayPal can be beneficial if persistent issues with Venmo arise.

SuperMoney may receive compensation from some or all of the companies featured, and the order of results are influenced by advertising bids, with exception for mortgage and home lending related products. Learn more

Loading results ...

Share this post:

You might also like