We are moving to a new era, where mobile wallets and payment services are gradually overtaking traditional banking methods, and tend to offer the most convenient financial services.
One of the popular payment services out there, PayPal's Venmo, allows users to send and receive payments safely and conveniently;—in fact, paying through the app is usually simple and straightforward.
The company has grown over the years as it got a 50% increase in its number of users in 2022 and now has nearly 90 million accounts in the U.S.
If Venmo has been able to maintain a strong reputation and increase users' trust over the years, it's probably thanks to the convenience and security of its diverse services.
Talking of security, if Venmo notices something out of the ordinary with an account, it usually freezes the account to protect the user and prevent unauthorized transactions; — and sometimes, it freezes an account with money in it.
If your Venmo account is frozen with money or not and you're wondering how to recover it, then you're at the right place.
To address this issue, we've covered steps to help you get money out of a frozen Venmo account.
But before we proceed with the troubleshooting steps, let's understand some reasons why Venmo freezes accounts.
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Why Does Venmo Freeze Accounts?
Venmo may freeze an account if its system detects the account doesn't comply with its User Agreement.
This simply means if Venmo finds out that someone is using your account without your authorization, they may freeze the account to prevent your funds from getting lost.
The rules go the same for you in such a way that, if you carry out fraudulent activities with your Venmo account, Venmo can freeze the account at any time whether or not there's money in it.
However, Venmo can temporarily freeze an account if the account attempts to send payments that its balance or bank can't cover.
Also, Venmo might temporarily freeze an account if it has exceeded the number of ACH transfers permitted for the account.
Also Read: Can You Have Two Venmo Accounts?
What Happens When Venmo Freezes Your Account?
The outcome of a frozen Venmo account depends on the reason it got frozen.
For instance, if Venmo freezes your account because of an insufficient amount at the time of the transaction, you'll typically receive a mail telling you that a recent transaction you made from a bank account has failed.
Your Venmo account, in this case, will be temporarily frozen until the funds are paid back.
On the other hand, if Venmo freezes your account because it violates its User Agreement or widely accepted credit card policies, then the account can remain frozen forever if you don't provide Venmo with what they are asking for in order to verify that you're the owner of the account you're looking to reinstate; — they'll typically require you to provide your ID for verification.
Also Read: Can I Venmo Myself?
How Do I Know If My Venmo Account Is Frozen?
It is very easy to know whether your Venmo account is frozen or not.
Venmo usually sends an email to users whose accounts have been frozen; — you can know your account status from the email.
You can also know if your Venmo account is frozen in the Venmo app by tapping the "Account Recovery Payment" tab in your transaction history (if your account was frozen due to a failed payment).
Also Read: How To Withdraw Money From Venmo Without Card?
Can You Get Money Out Of Frozen Venmo Account?
Yes, you definitely can get money out of a frozen Venmo account.
However, you'll need to take the required steps to reinstate the account before you can be able to get money out of the Venmo account.
How To Get Money Out Of Frozen Venmo Account
There's no magic you can do to get money out of a frozen Venmo account; — you'll basically need to unfreeze the Venmo account before you can withdraw money from it.
Thankfully, you can unfreeze and get money out of a frozen Venmo account no matter the reason why your account was frozen through the aforementioned steps.
Simply put, to get money out of a frozen Venmo account:
- Identify the reason why your account was frozen, and take the required steps to unfreeze your account (read on to know what steps to take).
- Once Venmo unfreezes your account, wait for a few days (1 to 3 days) before attempting to get money out of your previously frozen Venmo account.
- Now in the Venmo app, go to the "Me" tab, then tap the "Add or Transfer" button under your profile picture
- Afterward, instantly transfer money to your eligible bank account or debit card.
- The money should arrive in your account depending on the transfer type you choose.
Also Read: How To Send Money Anonymously On Venmo
How To Unfreeze A Temporarily Frozen Venmo Account From Failed Payments
If Venmo freezes your account due to a failed payment, then all you'll need to do is complete the payment (usually with the amount you owe) and your account will be reinstated.
You can quickly unfreeze a temporarily frozen Venmo account from failed payments by using a debit card to pay back the amount owed; — you can also use your bank account for the payment but it can take longer than when you use a debit card for the payment; — credit cards can't be used for the payment.
You can also log in to your Venmo account from your computer go to venmo.com/recover and follow the prompts.
To unfreeze a temporarily frozen Venmo account from failed payments:
- Login to your Venmo account.
- Add funds to your Venmo account (usually the amount you owe).
- Complete the payment which should automatically unfreeze your account.
How To Unfreeze A Frozen Venmo Account For User Agreement Violations
If Venmo's security systems detect your account is violating their User Agreement, they will freeze your account to secure its funds and maintain the company's integrity.
If your Venmo account was frozen for going against its User Agreement, then you'll need to contact the Venmo team in charge or reply to the email sent to you saying your account was frozen.
To unfreeze a frozen Venmo account for User Agreement violations:
- Contact the Venmo team or reply to the email sent, and explain the issue to them.
- You'll be provided with steps to take in order to reinstate your account.
- Follow the steps and submit any document required (you'll usually be asked to reset your password or provide identity information).
Venmo should unfreeze your account as soon as they review your account.
Also Read: How To Borrow Money From Venmo
How Long Does It Take To Unfreeze Venmo Accounts?
How long it takes to unfreeze a Venmo account depends on the reason your account was frozen, but your Venmo will unfreeze your account as long as you take the steps required to get it reinstated.
For instance, if your Venmo account was frozen due to a failed payment, then the time it takes to unfreeze the Venmo account will not only depend on when you take the required steps to get it reinstated but will also depend on what payment method you used to repay the amount you owe.
Venmo might unfreeze an account quickly within a day if you use a debit card to repay the amount: — as soon as Venmo receives the amount to cover the failed payment, your account will be reinstated.
Venmo will show you an estimated arrival date if in case, you use a bank account to repay the amount you owe; — it usually takes 3 to 5 business days for Venmo to receive the amount and unfreeze your account.
On the other hand, if Venmo freezes your account due to a violation of its User Agreement, then how long it takes for Venmo to unfreeze your account will depend on how quickly the team responds to you and how quickly you submit the required documents.
However, it should take a few days for Venmo to unfreeze your account provided you comply with what's required.
Also Read: How To Add Money To Venmo With A Prepaid Card
Venmo Froze My Account With Money In It
If your Venmo account has been frozen with money, you'll need to follow the steps required to reinstate your account.
Venmo does not take money out of frozen accounts; — the money in your frozen Venmo account will be available for use once Venmo unfreezes your account.
Why Is My Venmo Account Frozen Due To Suspicious Activity?
Venmo usually freezes accounts it suspects of carrying out fraudulent activities.
If your Venmo account was frozen due to suspicious activity, then you should contact Venmo either through the app or their support site to reinstate your account.
However, if you believe Venmo made an account by flagging your account due to suspicious activity, you can still reach out to their support team to reinstate your account.
Venmo Account Suspended Acceptable Use Policy
Venmo's acceptable use policy is a set of guidelines that govern how you use the app. That said, it is a set of guidelines that outlines all that you can do on the platform.
If your Venmo account goes into violation of this policy, then it'll get suspended.
Why Is Venmo Account Frozen Asking For ID?
If your frozen Venmo account is asking for your ID, it means your account has violated Venmo's policy. In this case, Venmo might ask for your ID in order to verify if the account you're looking to unfreeze is really yours.
So, I recommend providing Venmo with your ID so they can verify it's you and proceed with unfreezing your account.
They do this to protect their users against scammers coupled with their fraudulent activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get my Venmo money off hold?
When your payment is on hold, the money still belongs to you—it's just temporarily on hold. Held payments are automatically released within 21 days, meaning that you'll have access to the funds from any held payment once the hold period expires.
How long can Venmo freeze your account?
Venmo can hold money in a user's account for up to 180 days to protect against the risk of liability or if the user has violated the Acceptable Use Policy.
Can I sue Venmo for freezing my account?
Yes, you can sue Venmo for freezing your account if you believe it was a mistake and the company can't reinstate your account. However, the easiest way to deal with this is to contact Venmo directly.
How do I get my money back from an inactive Venmo account?
If you tried to login to the account but doesn't work, then you can contact Venmo support to help you gain access to you inactive account.
Final Thoughts
A frozen Venmo account is no good thing for anyone who uses Venmo for day-to-day transactions.
Thankfully, there are ways to unfreeze a Venmo account and get money out of it; — however, the steps might be deferred for users depending on why their Venmo account was frozen.
However, this guide compiles steps to help you get money out of a frozen Venmo account.
For your convenience, it will be necessary for you to take the steps required to unfreeze your Venmo account immediately after you notice it was frozen to secure your account and funds.