3D Consumer Alert: Fake Check or Overpayment Scams

A Fake Check or Overpayment Scam involves someone you don’t know asking you to deposit a check sometimes for thousands of dollars more than you’re owed—and then send a portion of the money back to them by a wire or prepaid card.

To protect yourself from this scam, consider the following before you deposit a check:

• Independently confirm your buyer’s name, street address, and phone number.
• Never accept a check for more than your selling price and never agree to wire back funds to your buyer.
• Resist pressure to “act now.”

3D Consumer Alert is a series provided by the Consumer Protection Division of the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office. The purpose is to prevent the victimization of Nebraskans by arming them with the education and tools to Deter, Detect, and Defend (the 3Ds) against the frauds, scams, and pressing consumer issues prevalent across our state.

###

In case of technical difficulties, the 60-second audio (3D Alert) and the accompanying script can also be found at https://bit.ly/34DfNMY