Cheque Overpayment Refund Scam on social media
How it looks on social media, the red flags and what to do.
Social platforms make it easy to look trustworthy: a profile photo, followers and a few posts are enough for a first impression. Cheque Overpayment Refund Scam is one of the ways this shows up: A buyer sends a cheque for more than the price and asks you to return the difference. The cheque bounces after you send real money.
What cheque overpayment refund scam looks like on social media
- An ad with a celebrity face and a payment link.
- A "friend" account that is a copy of someone you know.
- A comment thread full of identical "thank you" replies.
The scammer finds you through an advert for an item, a rental, a vehicle or a service. They agree quickly and offer to pay by cheque, saying that they are travelling or that their company only pays by cheque. They send a photo or courier a cheque that looks real, with a date, signature and a bank name that you can see.
Red flags to check on the social media message
- A buyer pays more than the price and wants the difference back.
- You are told to send money before the cheque clears.
- A pending credit in your app is treated as proof of payment.
- The buyer agrees to everything quickly and avoids meeting.
- The offer is far better than any normal shop or job.
- The account asks you for money after a short friendly chat.
What to do
- Wait until the cheque has fully cleared before sending anything.
- Ask your bank how long clearing takes and whether the credit is final.
- Do not hand over goods until funds are confirmed in your account.
- Make your own profile private and review who can message you.
- If you paid, call 1930 and keep screenshots of the chat and the payment.
- Do not pay, share codes or move to another app.
Use Report on the profile, post or ad. If money was lost, call 1930 and report at cybercrime.gov.in.
If money or a code is already gone
- Call 1930 if you sent money and give the transaction details.
- Tell your bank on the number on your passbook and ask about the returned cheque.
- Report at https://cybercrime.gov.in with copies of the cheque and chat.
- Keep records of the goods and the courier or driver details.
National Cyber Crime Helpline: 1930; report at cybercrime.gov.in.
Safeavio's Money Shield checklist reminds you to verify before sending money to someone you do not know, and the scam check can review the buyer's chat and show money-demand and urgency signals. It cannot check a cheque or tell when your bank has cleared it, so ask your bank before returning anything. Ask your bank about clearing first. Wait for clearing.
Check it before you tap or pay
Safeavio Sentinel is a made-in-India Android app: paste a message or link, or scan a QR code, and get a plain verdict with the reasons. It helps you spot a scam; it does not promise to stop every one.
Download for AndroidWhat the app does
Google Play listing: coming soon. Today the signed APK is on safeavio.com/download. Android 7.0 or later.
Full guide: Cheque Overpayment Refund Scam: how it works, signs and what to do. Other channels: WhatsApp, phone call, email.
Questions
How do I know if a social media message about cheque overpayment refund scam is a scam?
Check the red flags above: a stranger moves the chat to whatsapp or telegram. a prize needs a payment or a code first. When in doubt, do not act on the social media message; open the official app or website yourself or call the number printed on your card or bill.
What should I do first if I receive this social media message?
Do not pay, share codes or move to another app. Check the account: when it was created, who follows it, and whether the real brand links to it from its own website.