High riskText Message

Refund Failed Text Scam

This scam texts that a refund you are owed 'could not be processed' and asks you to confirm or re-enter your bank or card details through a link that captures them for fraud.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Refund lure phishing (smishing)
Main red flag
A text says a refund failed and asks you to re-enter bank or card details by link.
What to do first
Do not tap the link. Check any refund through the retailer or service directly.

How this scam works

This scam texts that a refund you are owed 'could not be processed' and asks you to confirm or re-enter your bank or card details through a link that captures them for fraud.

Text-message scams, known as "smishing", reach you directly on your phone where a link is only a tap away and messages feel personal and urgent. They impersonate trusted senders, banks, couriers, government, or even people you know, and depend on you acting before you pause to verify.

In short, the giveaway is usually simple: A text says a refund failed and asks you to re-enter bank or card details by link. Do not tap the link. Check any refund through the retailer or service directly.

Scammers rotate tactics constantly, the same operation may also run the Fake Refund Email Scam and the Energy Rebate Scam. See the full Text Message Scams guides hub, or test a suspicious message with the scam checker.

How to spot this scam

  • A 'failed refund' you were not expecting
  • A request to re-enter bank or card details by link
  • A specific amount used to seem credible
  • A link that is not the retailer's official site
  • Pressure to act before the refund 'expires'

What the message looks like

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'We tried to process your refund of $64.20 but your payment details are out of date. Re-enter them to receive your money: [suspicious link]'

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.

What gives it away: A text says a refund failed and asks you to re-enter bank or card details by link.

The scale of it

$330M
reported lost to text-message scams in the US in 2022, more than double the year before
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
#1
fake bank fraud alerts were the most-reported text scam type in 2022
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

How to protect yourself

  • Check any refund directly with the retailer or service
  • Log in to your real account to confirm refund status
  • Report the text to your mobile provider's spam service if available
  • Delete the message and block the sender

Already responded? Do this now

  • Do not enter bank or card details on the page
  • If you shared details, contact your bank immediately
  • Change passwords for any account where you reused a login
  • Watch your statements for unauthorised activity

Mistakes to avoid

  • Do not re-enter card or bank details by link
  • Do not assume a refund is real because it states an amount
  • Do not reply to the message

Related scams to know

High risk Email

Fake Refund Email Scam

This scam emails that you are owed a refund and asks you to confirm bank or card details, or to accept a refund that is really designed to steal your money.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
Medium risk Text Message

Energy Rebate Scam

This scam claims you are owed an energy bill rebate, refund, or cost-of-living payment from your supplier or government, then links to a fake claim page that harvests your bank or card details.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Text Message

Account Suspended Text Scam

This scam texts that an account has been suspended, limited, or locked for 'security reasons' and links to a fake login page that captures your username, password, and other details.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Common questions

Do refunds fail and need me to re-enter details by text?
Genuine refunds usually return to your original payment method automatically. A text asking you to re-enter bank details to 'receive' one is a common scam.
The amount looked exact. Is it genuine?
Scammers use precise figures to appear credible. Verify any refund through the retailer or your account, not the text link.
What if I entered my details?
Contact your bank straight away to protect your account, change any reused passwords, and monitor for unauthorised activity.
How do I check a real refund?
Log in to the retailer's official site or app, or contact them using details you find independently, to confirm the refund status.

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.