Guides › Fake Job Offers and Overpayment Scams

Fake Job Offers and Overpayment Scams

How it works

You're offered a job you didn't apply for, often by text or messaging app, with high pay for simple work. Some versions send you a check to buy "equipment" and ask you to send part back. The check is fake and bounces after your bank has made the money available, and you owe the bank. Other versions ask you to pay for training or to "unlock" earnings on a task app.

Red flags

• A job offer you didn't apply for, or an interview only by chat
• A check for more than you're owed and a request to send back the difference
• Paying upfront for training, equipment or to "unlock" earnings
• Being asked for your bank login or to receive and forward money

A bank can make deposit funds available within days, but it can take weeks to discover a check is fake. If you deposited it, you're responsible for the money. Never send money back to someone who "overpaid" you.

Got a message like this? Paste it into the free scam checker. It runs only in your browser.

If you already paid

Act fast. The FTC's advice depends on how you paid:

• Credit or debit card: call the card company, report the fraudulent charge and ask them to reverse it.
• Bank transfer or wire: contact your bank or the wire company (such as Western Union or MoneyGram) right away and ask them to reverse the transfer.
• Payment app (Zelle, Cash App, Venmo): report it to the app and to your bank, and ask for a reversal.
• Gift card: contact the company that issued the card, tell them it was used in a scam, and keep the card and receipt.
• Cryptocurrency: crypto payments usually can't be reversed. Contact the exchange you used and report to IC3.gov.
• Cash by mail or courier: report it to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service or the delivery company and the FTC.
• You gave a password or code: change that password now, turn on two-step verification and check for changes you didn't make.
• You gave your Social Security number: visit IdentityTheft.gov and consider a free credit freeze with Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Watch for "recovery" scams. Anyone who contacts you offering to get your money back for a fee is likely another scammer.

How to report it

• FTC: ReportFraud.ftc.gov. If your personal information was misused, also go to IdentityTheft.gov for a recovery plan.
• FBI: IC3.gov (the Internet Crime Complaint Center), especially if you lost money online or in crypto.
• Your bank or card company: call the number on the back of your card or on your statement, not one from the message.
• Scam texts: forward them to 7726 (SPAM), then delete and block.

Sources: FTC consumer advice (consumer.ftc.gov) and FBI IC3 public service announcements. Last reviewed 2026-10-12.