Thanks, I'll take it. I'm out of the country so my assistant will send a cheque. She accidentally made it out for $2,400 instead of $1,800. Please deposit it and send the $600 difference back to my shipping agent by Zelle today.
How it works
- A buyer, employer or “client” sends you a cheque, money order or transfer for more than the agreed amount.
- They ask you to send the extra back, or to forward it to someone else for shipping, equipment or a fee.
- Your bank shows the money in your account within a day or two, so it looks real.
- Days or weeks later the cheque is found to be fake and the bank reverses it. The money you sent onward was real, and it’s your debt.
The tells
- The amount is more than you asked for, and the sender wants the difference back quickly.
- A third party is involved: an “agent”, “assistant” or “vendor”.
- Pressure to deposit and send money the same day.
- Payment back by wire, Zelle, crypto or gift cards.
What to do
- Don’t send anything back until your bank confirms the cheque has fully cleared. Funds being “available” is not the same thing.
- Ask for the exact agreed amount, by a method you can verify.
- If you’ve already sent money onward, tell your bank straight away and report it to your national fraud agency.
- If you were told to buy equipment with a cheque, see Fake recruiters.
Where to report it
Anywhere in the world
- Your bank or card provider. First, if money or card details are involved. Use the number on your card.
- The platform where it happened. Use its “Report” button: the marketplace, the messaging app, the social network.
- Your local police. If you’ve lost money, and for a reference number your bank may ask for.
- Your national fraud or consumer-protection agency. Search for it by country; use a government address (.gov or the equivalent).
United States
- Report to the FTC — The Federal Trade Commission’s fraud reporting site.
- Report internet-enabled crime to the FBI (IC3) — File even if you’re unsure it qualifies. IC3 will never contact you to ask for money.
- Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM) — Free with most carriers.
Links last checked 2026-10-12.
United Kingdom
- Forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk — Handled by the National Cyber Security Centre.
- Forward suspicious texts to 7726 — Free. Your mobile provider receives the report.
- Report Fraud (England and Wales) — If you’ve lost money or been hacked. Phone 0300 123 2040.
Links last checked 2026-10-12.
Canada
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre — Use its “Report fraud” page.
- Forward scam texts to 7726 — Free with most carriers.
Links last checked 2026-10-12.
Australia
- Scamwatch — Run by the national consumer regulator.
Links last checked 2026-10-12.