Known scam pattern · known_scam_pattern · Regulator warning
Online Resale Buyer Overpayment Scam
A known fake-check pattern in which a buyer overpays and asks the seller to forward the difference or pay a courier.
Scout's verdict
A fraudulent payment appears available before the bank discovers it is invalid; the seller sends real money or goods first.
Good fit: No one.
Drawbacks
- Direct financial loss
- Possible loss of inventory
- Bank-account consequences
Red flags
- Payment above asking price
- Request to pay a shipper or third party
- Pressure to act before final settlement
Getting started
- Do not deposit or forward suspect funds
- Contact the bank using a trusted number
- Report the attempt to the platform and FTC
Why this score
FTC guidance identifies check-overpayment and money-forwarding requests as established fake-check scams.
Composite Scout risk read: 78 (Higher composite risk). This is not a community aggregate — community reports start empty.
Economics
Pay basis: Fraudulent check or payment followed by a demand to send money
There is no legitimate income.
Fees: The seller loses forwarded money, the item, bank fees, or all three when the payment reverses.
Time to first dollar: No legitimate payout; apparent funds can be reversed later.
Common expenses
- forwarded funds
- lost item
- bank fees
- shipping
Keep gross, platform payout, expenses, pre-tax operating net, and time separate. Never treat gross receipts as take-home.
Fit & eligibility
Capital band: none · incremental startup $0–$0
Hours/week (typical band): 0–0
Eligibility
- Do not participate or forward funds
Geography: US · remote-capable · local
Regulator-documented scam pattern targeting online sellers.
Official evidence
Official-source verified is not community verified. Reviewed 2026-07-10; review by 2027-07-10.
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How To Spot, Avoid, and Report Fake Check Scams
Federal Trade Commission · regulator · accessed 2026-07-10
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Job Scams
Federal Trade Commission · regulator · accessed 2026-07-10
Community observations
No reviewed reports yet. Report counts, comments, and payout statistics begin empty and grow only from moderated real records. We will never invent discussion text or leaderboard activity.
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