Recognize the pattern
How it starts
Resale buyers, remote employers or refund notices.
The promise
The payment arrived; send the excess to a named recipient.
What happens next
Your bank may show funds as available before discovering the check is fraudulent. Sending money back uses your own funds; the displayed balance does not prove the check is valid.
Signs to watch for
- Amount exceeds the agreed price
- Urgent demand to refund
- Refund to another account or in gift cards
Start with what you can do now
If this happened to you
Pause refunds and shipping
Notify the bank or platform
Keep payment and refund demands; report fraud
What to save
Keep the original records. Use copies to organize the details.
- Check or payment notice
- Sale agreement
- Refund demands
- Refund recipient details
Before you send money
- Reject overpaid checks
- Ask your bank about payment status
- Use the original platform refund process
These guides explain common patterns. The facts of your situation and your payment provider’s rules determine which steps are available.