High riskBank & Payment

Fake Cheque Scam

A buyer, employer, or prize giver sends a cheque for more than you are owed and asks you to deposit it and send back the difference. The cheque later bounces, the bank reclaims the full amount, and you are left owing the money you sent on.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Counterfeit cheque scam
Main red flag
A cheque for more than expected, paired with a request to refund or forward the extra amount.
What to do first
Do not send any money back. Wait until the cheque has fully cleared, which can take longer than the funds first appearing.

What this scam usually looks like

A buyer, employer, or prize giver sends a cheque for more than you are owed and asks you to deposit it and send back the difference. The cheque later bounces, the bank reclaims the full amount, and you are left owing the money you sent on.

Bank and payment scams weaponise your trust in your bank and your fear of losing money. They fake fraud alerts, blocked payments, or refunds, then steer you into moving money to a "safe account", sharing a one-time code, or approving a transfer, actions a genuine bank will never ask of you.

The single clearest warning sign to remember is this: A cheque for more than expected, paired with a request to refund or forward the extra amount. Do not send any money back. Wait until the cheque has fully cleared, which can take longer than the funds first appearing.

Not sure this matches what you received? Compare it with the Overpayment Scam or the Facebook Marketplace Buyer Email Scam, browse the Bank & Payment Scams guides, or paste the exact message into our free scam checker.

By the numbers

#1
copycat bank fraud alerts were the most-reported text scam in the US in 2022
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
£459.7M
lost to authorised push payment (APP) fraud in the UK in 2023
Source: UK Finance

Example message pattern

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'I have posted you a cheque, but my assistant accidentally made it out for more. Please deposit it and send the extra back by transfer once it lands.'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

Why this is a red flag: A cheque for more than expected, paired with a request to refund or forward the extra amount.

Red flags to watch for

  • A cheque written for more than the agreed amount
  • A request to send the difference back by transfer, gift card, or crypto
  • Pressure to act before the cheque has truly cleared
  • A reason given for the overpayment, such as a 'mistake' or 'extra fees'
  • Contact from a stranger as a buyer, employer, or prize giver you did not seek out

What to do

  • Wait for the cheque to fully clear before treating the funds as yours
  • Ask your bank to confirm the cheque has genuinely cleared, not just shown as available
  • Refuse any request to forward part of the payment to someone else
  • Verify the sender independently before continuing any deal

If you already clicked or replied

  • If you already sent money, contact your bank immediately to try to stop the transfer
  • Report the fake cheque and the sender to your bank and national fraud line
  • Keep the cheque, envelope, and all messages as evidence
  • Stop all contact with the sender and do not send anything further

What not to do

  • Do not send money back before a cheque has truly cleared
  • Do not treat 'funds available' as the same as 'cheque cleared'
  • Do not forward payments on behalf of someone you have not verified

Similar scams

High risk Bank & Payment

Overpayment Scam

A buyer, employer, or 'client' sends you a payment or cheque for more than they owe, then asks you to send the extra back. The original payment is fake or is later reversed, leaving you out of pocket for the refund you sent.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace Buyer Email Scam

A fake buyer claims to have paid through an email service and asks you to confirm a fee or send the 'difference' before any real money arrives.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Job

Mystery Shopper Scam

This scam offers a fake secret or mystery shopper job, sends you a cheque to deposit, and asks you to 'evaluate' a money-transfer service by wiring most of it back or buying gift cards, after which the cheque bounces and you are left owing the money.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Frequently asked questions

The money showed in my account, so the cheque is good, right?
Not necessarily. Banks often make funds available before a cheque truly clears. If it later bounces, the amount is reclaimed and you are responsible, including anything you already sent on.
Why would someone overpay me on purpose?
The overpayment is the trick. By asking you to refund the difference, the scammer gets real money from you while their cheque is worthless. This is a common counterfeit cheque pattern.
How long does a cheque really take to clear?
It varies by country and bank, and can be longer than funds appearing in your balance. Ask your bank to confirm a cheque has fully cleared before relying on it.
I already sent the difference. What can I do?
Contact your bank right away to try to halt the transfer, report it to your national fraud centre, and keep all evidence. Acting fast gives the best chance of limiting the loss.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.