Protect yourself from the Overpayment Scam

If you or your business is selling products or services online, you might be targeted by an overpayment scam.

A potential buyer sends you payment that is more than the agreed upon amount. The buyer will then ask you to refund the excess amount by money transfer. This buyer is likely a scammer and is hoping that you will transfer the refund before you discover that their cheque or money order was counterfeit. You will lose the transferred money as well as the item if you have already sent it.

Don’t accept a cheque or money order for payment for goods that is more than what you agreed upon. Send it back and ask the buyer to send you payment for the agreed amount before you deliver the goods or services.