"We refunded you too much" scam
After getting remote access to your computer, a fake support agent says they refunded you thousands by mistake. They show you your bank page and beg you to send the difference back with gift cards or a wire.
How this scam works
No refund happened. They moved your own money between your accounts or edited the page. Whatever you send back is your real money.
Common versions of the message
- A huge accidental refund
- An agent watching your bank screen
- Gift cards or a wire to send it back
What the message looks like
Text from Refund Department
Our system accidentally refunded you $5,000 instead of $50. Please log in to your bank so I can see it, then send back the difference with gift cards today or I will lose my job.
Fictional example based on common, publicly reported scam patterns.
The red flags
- 1
Fake refund: “accidentally refunded you $5,000”
They moved your own money between accounts
The "refund" is your own money moved from savings, or a faked number.
- 2
Watching your bank: “log in to your bank so I can see it”
They edit the page to fake the refund
Letting them see your bank lets them fake the page.
- 3
Send it back: “send back the difference with gift cards”
Real refunds are never returned by gift card
Real refunds are never returned with gift cards.
- 4
Guilt trip: “I will lose my job”
Made to make you feel sorry and rush
The guilt trip is there to rush you.
What to do
- Hang up and disconnect the computer from the internet.
- Check your accounts yourself on a different device.
- Do not send money or gift cards.
If you already replied, clicked, or paid
- Call your bank right away.
- Uninstall any remote access apps and have the computer checked.
- Report it at ic3.gov.
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