Can You Use a Credit Card on Venmo? Fees, Security and More to Know

Like other peer-to-peer (P2P) payment apps, Venmo makes sending money to family, friends or businesses convenient, quick and secure. Whether you're paying back your share of last night's dinner bill or sending money to a nephew on their birthday, "venmoing" someone lets you easily transfer cash from your bank account to theirs. When setting up an account with Venmo, you link and verify a bank account from which your digital payments will be sent.

But what if you don’t want funds to be drawn from your checking or high-yield savings account? With Venmo, it is possible to link payments to a credit card, including your favorite rewards credit card — but it may not be worth it. 

Here’s what you need to know about using a credit card with Venmo, from fees to set-up and more. 

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Using a credit card on Venmo

First off, can you use a credit card on Venmo? 

Yes, you can send payments with a credit card on Venmo, although it’s important to know the pros and cons of doing so beforehand. 

Pros of using a credit card on Venmo:

The most sensible way to use a credit card on Venmo is when you are trying to meet minimum spending requirements in order to earn your credit card’s sign-up or welcome bonus. 

Also, if you’re strapped for cash, you can use a credit card to pay someone over Venmo without risking overdrafting your checking account or keeping your friend waiting. Just be sure to pay off your credit card as soon as possible so that you won't owe hefty interest charges and end up in debt. Doing so will also help boost your credit score.

Cons of using a credit card on Venmo: 

On the other hand, there are drawbacks to using a credit card on Venmo: fees. 

When using a credit card on Venmo, you’ll be charged a 3% fee when making a payment. No fee will be charged if using a debit card or bank account. So, even if you pay with a rewards credit card like a 2% back card, you will likely lose money on Venmo payments linked to credit cards.

Also, when sending payments to friends and families with a credit card over Venmo, your card issuer may code the transaction as a cash advance, resulting in more fees and a higher interest rate. You also won’t be able to transfer any Venmo balances onto your credit card. 

Venmo may not recognize some cards. For example, Health Savings Account cards may be difficult to link to your Venmo account.

Remember that most peer-to-peer payment apps do not offer fraud or purchase protection as a credit card might. Moreover, the cash you keep in the app is usually not FDIC-insured. Readers should also be cautious of apps' offers to take out Buy Now, Pay Later loans or to convert cash to Bitcoin. 

A better option: Consider using Apple Cash; when linked to the Apple Card, Apple Cash charges no fee and gives you cash back. 

How much does Venmo charge for using a credit card?

Venmo charges a 3% fee for payments made with a credit card. Additionally, your credit card company may charge cash advance fees if you use your credit card to make payments on Venmo. According to Experian, the most common cash advance fee structure is 5% of the advance amount or $10, whichever is more, but it ultimately depends on your card issuer.

Is it safe to use a credit card on Venmo? 

Venmo is mostly safe — but with some important caveats. Like other peer-to-peer payment apps, Venmo is increasingly vulnerable to scammers, and customers have complained about how the company has handled these problems. 

Venmo encrypts your account details, and the app also uses multi-factor authentication to confirm your identity. You can also set up a unique PIN code and/or use Touch ID to provide another layer of security to your account. 

Just be sure not to fall for any of the most common scams on Venmo, and think twice about storing money with Venmo; unlike banks, money stored on payment apps is not under Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) protection.

The risk of scams has led to lawmakers calling for further protections for users.

In early August, Rep. Maxine Waters, D-CA, and Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-CT, and Elizabeth Warren, D-MA, introduced a bill, the Protecting Consumers from Payment Scams Act, that would enact further protections for users in the face of scams. It's an update to the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (EFTA), which protects customers in cases of lost or stolen credit cards and was passed in 1978.

Actions are also happening on the state level. For example, earlier this year, New York state officials introduced the Financial App Security Act, which would require companies that offer peer-to-peer mobile payment services, like Venmo, to enact security measures designed to protect consumers from financial fraud and theft.

How to use a credit card on Venmo 

Here’s how to add a credit card to your account, according to Venmo, on the Venmo app:

• Go to the "Me" tab by tapping your picture or initials
• Go to the Wallet section
• Tap “Add bank or card...” and then tap “Card”
• Add your card information manually or with your phone’s camera

To add a card to your Venmo account from a computer, go to your payment methods then follow these steps:

• Click "Add bank or card"
• Select "Debit or credit card" then add your card information

Bottom line

While using a credit card to send payments over Venmo is technically possible, it's not advised. You'll be charged a 3% fee for using a credit card on Venmo, plus any other cash advance fees charged by your bank. Even if your card earns cashback on the payment, you'll still likely lose money.

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