Venmo makes it incredibly easy to send money fast, which is exactly why it deserves an extra layer of protection. If someone gets hold of your phone while you are still logged into Venmo, that person may be able to open the app and try to move money before you notice. Venmo’s own help guidance says you can protect the app with a passcode and biometrics like Face ID, Touch ID, or fingerprint unlock, and that once you turn it on, Venmo will ask for that verification every time you open the app and may also ask you to confirm it when sending payments in its Passcode & Touch ID Setup help article.
That small setting matters more than people think. According to the FBI’s 2024 Internet Crime Report summary, consumers reported more than $16 billion in online scam losses in 2024, a 33% increase from the prior year. That is a strong reminder that quick-payment apps need strong account protection.
Why this Venmo security setting is worth turning on
Venmo says its security features are designed to help ensure that you are the only one who can access the app, even if you lose your phone, and it specifically recommends biometric or PIN-based passcodes as part of that protection.
In plain English, a device lock is good, but an in-app lock is better. If someone gets into your phone, a Venmo passcode or fingerprint check creates one more barrier between your account and an unauthorized payment.
How to enable a PIN or fingerprint on Venmo
Venmo says the setup is straightforward in the app:
- Go to the Me tab.
- Tap the Settings gear.
- Choose Face ID & Passcode on iPhone or Passcode & biometric unlock on Android.
- Turn the feature on and create your passcode.
- Make sure Face ID, Touch ID, or fingerprint unlock is already enabled in your device settings if you want to use biometrics.
Once enabled, Venmo says it will prompt for that verification every time the app opens, and it may require confirmation again when you send money.
Safer payments checklist for Venmo users
Use this quick checklist every time you pay someone:
- Turn on a Venmo passcode or biometric lock so the app requires verification before access and, in some cases, before payments are sent.
- Verify the recipient carefully when paying someone new. Venmo says it may ask you to verify a new person’s phone number, which helps reduce the risk of sending money to the wrong account.
- Use the purchase toggle for goods or services when applicable, because Venmo says eligible transactions may qualify for Purchase Protection benefits.
- Never share your six-digit sign-in code. Venmo says it will never ask for that code by phone, text, email, or chat.
- Review remembered devices and remove any you do not recognize if you get a sign-in alert or suspect unauthorized access.
- Change your Venmo password immediately if you notice suspicious transfers, account changes, or a sign-in attempt you did not make.
- Contact Venmo support fast if you see unauthorized activity, because Venmo advises users to report suspicious transactions and account changes as soon as possible.
- Adjust your privacy settings if you want tighter control over who can see your activity in the app.
The bottom line
If you use Venmo, turning on a PIN or fingerprint requirement is one of the fastest security wins available. It takes about a minute, adds almost no hassle, and can make it much harder for someone else to send money from your account if they get access to your phone. For a payment app, that is a smart tradeoff.
