Someone Voluntarily Sent Me Money Through Venmo And Is Now Claiming It Was Unauthorized And Says He Filed A Police Report

Location: I’m in the NYC/NJ area and looking for general legal advice about whether I should speak with a criminal defense attorney proactively.

I knew a man who voluntarily sent me several monetary gifts through Venmo on more than one occasion, including months apart. I did not access his Venmo, Amex account, phone, passwords, or send the payments to myself. HE initiated the payments himself.

We recently had a falling out, and afterward he disputed multiple payments with Venmo as “unauthorized.” Venmo initially placed the money on hold while investigating. I have since received written emails from Venmo for the disputes stating that their investigation was resolved in my favor, that no further action was required, and that the claims were closed.

The man also told me that he contacted American Express regarding the transactions and claims Amex is returning his money. More concerning to me, he texted me saying that the “cops have been called” on me and has made comments about me going to jail. I have denied stealing or robbing him and stopped engaging with him. I’m reading that sometimes AMEX requires a police report for them to give you back the money so I’m scared. He actually filed a report.

I have not been contacted by NYPD, received a summons, been arrested, or received anything from a prosecutor or court. I also don’t actually know whether he completed a police report or what he may have alleged.

My questions are: If someone reports voluntary Venmo payments as theft/unauthorized after a falling out, what would NYPD normally look for before contacting or charging the recipient? Is there a way for a NYC attorney to determine whether a police report or investigation involving me actually exists without me contacting NYPD myself? And would it make sense to retain a criminal defense attorney now, before I’ve even been contacted by police?

I have preserved the Venmo transactions, the emails showing the disputes were resolved in my favor, and our communications. I’m mainly trying to determine whether I should take any proactive legal steps or simply preserve everything and wait to see whether law enforcement contacts me.