Somebody I don't know sent me $50 on Venmo

[conuly]

The note says "Tropical smoothie", and it seems a bit much for a smoothie, but what do I know?

Obviously it's too soon to be thinking about keeping the money. I sent a reply back asking if this was a mistake.

But looking ahead to the future, if I never got a reply, how long is long enough to say "Eh, screw it" and keep the money?

I asked Jenn and her thought was seven days, which certainly seems reasonable, but all opinions will be heard!

Comments

[redbird]

Seven days seems reasonable, but I suspect that a fairly wide range of answers would also sound reasonable.

"Tropical smoothie" sounds like it's either some kind of code or in-joke, or a random thing to put in the "for" field because Venmo requires you to put something there in order to send money. On the other hand, there was a several-month period when all my Venmo payments said "ice cream," which they were.

[radiantfracture]

Seven days seems generously reasonable.

[agoodwinsmith]

There is something weird going on in BC (New Westminster), and I am wondering if this is a permutation.

People are ordering weird foods to be delivered to an address in New West. One Big Mac. Three Starbucks espressos. One order of fries from an independent. Much more and weird as F. Apparently it is happening in other places, too.

Nobody knows why it is being done, and the people whose doorstep is now covered in bags full of deep fried carbohydrates are getting really tired of the mess and the waste.

A couple years ago, people were getting little orders from overseas, like ten thimbles. Apparently *this* was so that a business could show successful delivery, which allowed them to pursue nefarious schemes (I didn't understand the how, so I don't remember the details).

So.

If you don't know these people, what do they get from this?

Yes. I am unduly suspicious. However, in my defense, people are shits.

[conuly]

Oh, I'm sure in this case it's just an error.

[firecat]

I also came here to say it has the hallmarks of a scam. If you pay it back, don't agree to pay it into an account other than the one it came from.

[conuly]

Oh, yeah, definitely not. But I am not going to jump to the scam explanation without more evidence - which, in this case, means any evidence at all. I do think it's more likely that this is just an error, somebody managing to fumble an email that's very close to mine (perhaps with a birth year that's one digit off from mine) and not exactly mine.

[archersangel]

i think 2 weeks is reasonable. just in case the person is really busy, or not on-line as much.

[lilysea]

14 days or 31 days both seem reasonable.

[pauamma]

Venmo's ToS may have something to say on that point. Or its FAQ or support people. (Which may also provide evidence for/against the scam possibility others mentioned.)

[conuly]

Full confession time, I've never actually read a ToS in my life, and I'm not entirely sure I intend to now.

[profiterole_reads]

Maybe it's code for cocaine? XD

[siderea]

Sounds more like a type of blotter acid (LSD) to me.

[profiterole_reads]

lol I just picked one randomly. XD

[thewayne]

Clearly they want you to go to the tropics to get a smoothie, and this is merely seed money to start your fund.

Getting one in Jamaica, NY might be close enough.