You can receive Venmo payments sent to your email address without downloading the app first
When someone sends you money through Venmo using your email address instead of your phone number, Venmo holds that payment in a temporary state until you claim it. You do not need to have a Venmo account yet — you can set one up during the claiming process. The person who sent the money can see that it is pending, and the payment will not move to their bank account until you accept it.
The steps are straightforward: you will receive an email notification, follow a link in that email, create a Venmo account (or sign into an existing one), and confirm that you want to accept the payment. Once you accept, the money moves into your Venmo balance, and you can then transfer it to your bank account.
Key Takeaways
- Venmo sends you an email notification when someone transfers money to your email address, and you have a limited time to claim it before the payment is returned to the sender.
- You can accept the payment without having a Venmo account beforehand — you will create one as part of the claiming process.
- After you accept the payment, the money sits in your Venmo balance until you transfer it to your linked bank account.
- The sender cannot cancel a payment once you have accepted it, so make sure you recognize who sent it before you claim it.
Finding and opening the Venmo email notification
Check your email inbox (including spam and promotions folders) for a message from Venmo with a subject line like "You have a payment from [person's name]" or "You received money on Venmo." The email will come from an address like noreply@venmo.com. Open that email and look for a button or link that says "Claim payment," "Accept payment," or "View payment."
If you cannot find the email, ask the person who sent the money to confirm they used the correct email address. They can check this in their Venmo app by looking at the transaction details. If the address is wrong, they will need to cancel that payment and send a new one to the correct email.
Creating a Venmo account or signing in
When you click the link in the email, Venmo will ask whether you have an account. If you do not, select the option to create a new account. You will need to provide your full name, email address, phone number, and a password. Venmo will also ask for your date of birth and the last four digits of your Social Security number — this is standard identity verification that Venmo requires for all accounts.
If you already have a Venmo account, straightforward sign in with your email and password. Either way, after you complete this step, you will move to the payment acceptance screen.
Accepting the payment
Once you are signed in, Venmo will show you the payment details: the amount, who sent it, and any note they included. Review this information to make sure it matches what you expected. Then select the button to accept or claim the payment. The money will when ready move into your Venmo balance.
At this point, the sender will see that the payment has been accepted, and it will begin processing to their bank account (usually within one to three business days, depending on their bank). You now own the money in your Venmo account, but it is not yet in your personal bank account.
Transferring the money to your bank account
Venmo keeps the money in your account balance by default. To move it to your bank account, you need to set up a bank transfer. In the Venmo app or website, go to the menu (usually three horizontal lines) and look for "Transfer money" or "Move to bank." Select the option to transfer to your bank account.
You will need to provide your bank's routing number and your account number. If you do not have these, you can find them on a check, by calling your bank, or by logging into your bank's website. Venmo will verify the account by depositing two small amounts (usually under one dollar) into your account, which you will need to confirm back in Venmo within a few days. Once verified, transfers to that account typically arrive within one to three business days.
What happens if you do not accept the payment
Venmo holds pending payments for a set period — usually around 30 days, though this can vary. If you do not claim the payment within that time, Venmo automatically returns the money to the sender's account. The sender will see the payment as cancelled or returned.
If this happens and you still want the money, contact the person who sent it and ask them to send it again. Make sure to accept it promptly the second time.
Security and what to watch for
Only accept payments from people you recognize and trust. Scammers sometimes send Venmo payments to the wrong person by mistake (or on purpose), and if you accept a fraudulent payment, you could be held responsible for returning it. If you receive a payment from someone you do not know, do not accept it.
Be cautious of emails that claim to be from Venmo but ask you to click a link outside of the email itself or request your password. Legitimate Venmo emails will direct you to Venmo's official website or app. If you are unsure, go directly to Venmo.com in your browser instead of clicking a link in the email.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to receive money after I accept a Venmo payment?
The money appears in your Venmo balance when ready after you accept it. If you then transfer it to your bank account, that transfer usually takes one to three business days, depending on your bank. Weekends and holidays can add time.
Can I accept a Venmo payment without linking a bank account?
Yes. You can accept the payment and keep the money in your Venmo balance indefinitely without linking a bank account. However, you will need to link a bank account eventually if you want to move the money out of Venmo.
What if the email says the payment expired?
If more than 30 days have passed since the payment was sent, Venmo returns it to the sender automatically. Ask the person who sent it to send the payment again, and accept it right away this time.
Do I have to use the Venmo app, or can I accept the payment on a computer?
You can accept the payment through the email link on either a phone or a computer. However, once you have an account, using the Venmo app on your phone is usually faster for managing transfers and checking your balance.
What if I accidentally reject or delete the email?
Contact the person who sent the payment and ask them to resend it. You can also log into Venmo directly and check your pending payments section, where unclaimed payments sometimes appear.