Check Overpayment Scam Fighters and Resources

Check overpayment scam is a technique that is used in growing number of other scams like the foreign lottery scam, internet auction scam, buying from classifieds scam etc.

1. Fake Checks
Counterfeit or fake checks are being used in a growing number of fraudulent schemes, including foreign lottery scams, check overpayment scams, Internet auction scams, and secret shopper scams.

2. FTC Warns
In the check overpayment scam, the person you are doing business with sends you a check for more than the amount they owe you, and then instructs you to wire the balance back to them.

3. FTC Warns
Most versions of this scam involve someone sending you a check or money order for more than the price of something you are selling, and you get to keep the difference as a commission (or you need to send them back some amount for some reason).

4. Scam Stopper
With overpayment scams, fraudsters play the role of buyer and target consumers selling a product or service.

5. Consumer Protection
Thinking of selling a car or another valuable item through an online auction or your newspaper's classified section? If so, the New Hampshire Attorney General wants you to know about check overpayment scams.

6. ID Theft Blog
Overpayment scams in the fraud field can take form in various ways. However, despite the mode of attack, the end result is the same ? the victim is left with an overdrawn account, possibly black listed with banking institutions, responsible for overdrawn fees and funds, and facing charges for fraudulent checks.

7. Department of Revenue
Check overpayment scams are often in response to ads or online auction postings. Sellers are contacted by an alleged buyer, who offers to pay for an item with a cashier's, personal, government or corporate check. At the last minute, the buyer will often present a reason for having to write the check for more than the purchase price, and request the seller to send or wire back the difference to a Post Office box after the check has been deposited.

8. News and Alerts
Overpayment scams aren't new. They typically involve a large check sent to an individual who has posted something for sale online. The check is made out for more than the asking price, and the seller is asked to wire back the extra money.

9. SANS ISC InfoSec Forums
House for rent! Observing an overpayment scam

10. Diamond Valley
The checks are being presented as payment on various items or services; mainly through internet related transactions. In many instances the Cashier's Check is written for more than the amount of the item or services purchased. This scam is commonly referred to as the overpayment scam.



11. Consumer Advocate
Beware of other variations of the fake check scam, including those based on a phony mystery shopper assignment, fake job opportunity, or fraudulent sweepstakes. In these scenarios, victims may be asked to send money to "evaluate their local wire-transferring service" or to "cover fees associated with their winnings." In reality, any money sent will likely be lost.

12. Fraud Center
Consumers are frequently falling victim to a variety of scams that involve the use of forged or fraudulent cashier's checks, often times resulting in extreme financial hardships. The fake cashier's checks appear to very authentic including the name of a legitimate United States bank and even containing the magnetic routing codes that appear along the bottom of the check, but most are fraudulent.

13. Fake Check Scams
It's a fast-growing fraud that could cost you thousands of dollars. There are many types of fake check scams, but it all starts when someone gives you a realistic-looking check or money order and asks you to send cash somewhere in return. It's phony, and so is the person's story, but that may take weeks to discover. Now your bank wants the money back. However, just because you can get the cash doesn't mean the check or money order is good.

14. publications
Should you wire money to a stranger? U.S. Postal Inspectors hope you say: Absolutely not! The offer may sound like a nice deal, but ? as usual ? it's just too good to be true. The check or money order you receive will be counterfeit. And you'll be out the money.

15. Federal Law Banks
Federal regulators and consumer advocates are reporting that an increasing number of scammers are using an old tactic - bogus checks sent to postal mailboxes - in their attempts to trick consumers into parting with their hard-earned dollars. The National Consumer League reported a sixty percent increase in consumer complaints regarding fake check scams in the past year and that victims of the scams are losing an average of between three and four thousand dollars.

16. Consumer Affairs Victoria
The scammer hopes you will transfer the money before noticing that their cheque has bounced or that their money order or credit card is phony. In another form of this scam, they ask you to send money to cover taxes or transport fees.

17. Lowa Legal Aid
Scams involving fake (or counterfeit) bank checks, corporate checks and personal checks are common. There are also scams involving fake money orders. Consumers need to be careful when they deposit unfamiliar checks (or money orders) into their personal bank accounts. Fake check scams have many variations.

18. Sheriff's Office News
Overpayment scams aren't new. They typically involve a large check sent to an individual who has posted something for sale online. The check is made out for more than the asking price, and the seller is asked to wire back the extra money.

19. Types of Check Frauds
The scammer will want to buy the item and send a check that would exceed the required amount. The scammer will ask the victim to pay the remaining amount to a third party, who would be an accomplice in the scam.

20. Check Scams
Counterfeit check scams continue to be an on-going concern for Kinecta Federal Credit Union and the financial industry as a whole. Thieves are constantly devising new ways to take advantage of unsuspecting victims. Whether it's a Lottery Scam, a Work-at-Home Scam, or an Overpayment Scam, the ultimate goal of these predators is to steal our members' hard earned money.

21. Nigerian Check Fraud
Nigerian Check Fraud is a type of Check Overpayment Scam. In this type of fraud, a seller is contacted about an online posting and the caller offers to buy the item and pay by check. The buyer comes up with a reason for writing the check for higher than your asking price, and asks you to return the difference after you deposit the check. The problem is, the check is no good, and you are out the entire amount.

22. Mystery Shopping Scam
In each of these scams, you are sent an authentic-looking check. In many instances, the name of a real company appears on the check as well as real account and routing numbers. You are instructed to deposit the check in your bank account and then transfer a portion of the money to someone else. Days later, your bank informs you that the check was counterfeit and that you are liable for the amount withdrawn, usually several thousand dollars.

23. IC3 Scam Alerts
The same thing happens on Craigslist and online classified sites. You're selling an item. Somebody contacts you with the intent to buy, so you agree on a price of $500. You get a check for $3,000, with instructions to wire the excess back.

24. Fraud Avengers
Be wary of checks received from unknown individuals. When selling to someone you don't know, it is safer to accept cash or credit card payments.

25. Jersey Shore Federal Credit Union
The FTC reports that counterfeit check scams are on the rise. Con artists use high quality printers and scanners to make fake checks that look real. These fakes can be corporate checks, personal checks, cashier's checks and money orders.