A buyer sends you more money than you asked for and politely requests that you refund the difference. It feels like an honest mistake — until the original payment vanishes and you are left covering the “refund” out of your own pocket. That is the overpayment scam. Our GetMyPassword team explains how to recognize it and protect your money.
How the scam works
You are selling an item, renting a room, or starting a “job,” and the other side sends a payment for more than the agreed amount — by check, a screenshot of a transfer, or a card that is not theirs. They explain it away as an error and ask you to return the difference, often urgently. Later the original payment bounces or reverses because it was fake or stolen. The money you sent back was real; the money you “received” never was.
Where it shows up
- Marketplace sales — a buyer “accidentally” overpays for your item.
- Rentals — a tenant sends too much for a deposit and wants part back.
- Fake jobs — a “mystery shopper” or new employer overpays for supplies.
- Pet or ticket sales — a buyer overpays “to cover shipping” through a third party.
Red flags to watch for
The pattern repeats no matter the cover story. Watch for an overpayment “by mistake,” pressure to refund quickly before you can confirm the funds, and a request to send the difference by gift card, wire or a different app. Be especially wary of checks and payment screenshots, which can look cleared but reverse days later. A genuine buyer pays the exact amount and has no reason to route money back through you.
No honest buyer overpays and then rushes you to send the extra back. The “mistake” is the scam, and the refund is the only real money that ever changes hands.
How to protect yourself
Never refund an overpayment. If someone sends too much, ask them to void it and pay the correct amount, and do not send anything back until the funds have truly cleared — not just “appeared.” Keep deals on the platform’s own payment system, never accept a check from a stranger for more than the price, and treat any rush to wire money back as a stop sign. Because these scams often pair with phishing for your details, keep your accounts behind a unique password from our password generator and two-factor authentication.
Frequently asked questions
What is an overpayment scam?
It is a scam where someone pays you more than the agreed amount with a fake or stolen payment, then asks you to refund the difference. The original payment later reverses, so you lose the money you sent back.
What should I do if a buyer overpays me?
Do not refund anything. Ask them to cancel and pay the correct amount, and wait until the funds have genuinely cleared. Be especially cautious with checks and payment screenshots, which can reverse days later.
Why is refunding the difference dangerous?
Because the original overpayment is fake or stolen and will be reversed, while your refund is real money that is gone for good. Keeping deals on the platform and never wiring money back protects you.