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Everyone knows that selling something isn’t about putting it in the front yard anymore. These days, the Internet Marketplace is full of buyers looking for their next great find. Sellers are eager to show off their stuff and make a little extra cash. But in the middle of all this honest buying and selling, criminals are watching—and they’ve figured out how to take advantage of the fast-paced online world.
The scam starts simple. It’s sneaky, and almost impossible to avoid. Once you post something for sale online, the scammer jumps in. They make an offer on your item and might even try to bargain with you, just like a real buyer would. They want you to believe they’re just trying to save a few bucks.
Once you agree on a price, they move fast to set the hook. Maybe they say they’ll send money through a peer-to-peer app like Venmo or PayPal. Or maybe they offer to mail you a check. That’s when things get tricky—and you’ll need sharp eyes to spot the scam before you get caught and lose hundreds, or even thousands, of dollars.
Here’s how it usually goes: “I sent you too much money! Can you send some of it back?” The scammer might act panicked, like they made a big mistake. They might even say you’re being unfair if you don’t return the extra money. Of course, you’re honest—you’d never keep more than you’re owed. So, you send the extra money back.
And that’s when you get snagged.
The check they sent you? Fake. Your bank will be forced to take the money back. But you already sent the scammers the “extra” money, so now you’re the one who lost out.
If they used a peer-to-peer app, the payment might be stolen from someone else’s account. That means the money could disappear later, and you might even get blamed for helping the scammer move stolen funds. Without knowing it, you’ve become a “money mule”—someone who helps criminals move money around.
You can stop the scam before it starts. All it takes is a few moments to review the facts and watch for warning signs. Here are some of the biggest red flags to look out for:
📝 “Approved Payment” Be careful with checks that say “Approved Payment” in the memo line. That phrase is meant to trick you into thinking the check has been approved by someone official. But real checks don’t say that—ever. Scammers use it to make everything look legit and earn your trust. And once they have your trust, they can steal your money.
👤 Check Payor Who’s sending the payment? If you’ve been talking to “Jane Buyer,” but the check comes from someone else—or from a business you’ve never heard of—that’s a big clue something’s wrong. The check might be stolen or changed to make you the payee. Always be skeptical of checks, and never send money back until you’re sure the check is real.
💵 Overpayment Whether it’s a check or a peer-to-peer payment, an overpayment is almost always a sign that a scam is happening. Think about it: how often do you send too much money by accident when paying bills or buying gifts? Probably never. Most people are careful with their money and don’t want to pay more than they need to. So, when someone sends you too much, it’s probably not a mistake—it’s bait.
⏱️ Sense of Urgency Scammers don’t want you to think. They want you to act fast. If the person who “accidentally” sent too much money is pushing you to send it back right away—before the payment has time to clear—that’s another sign of a scam. If you rush, you might end up paying later, when the money disappears from your account or the check you deposited is returned as fake.
🎁 Different Return Method Watch out if the scammer asks you to return the money in a strange way. Instead of canceling the payment or sending a new check, they might ask you to use gift cards or Western Union. That’s a huge red flag. These methods are hard to trace, and once the money is sent—it’s gone. They use these tricks to make sure no one can follow the trail back to them.
Staying educated is half the battle. Knowing what to look for can help you avoid getting scammed. Keep an eye out for the red flags above, and learn about others from your bank, the news, or law enforcement. If something feels off, it probably is.
Here are a few smart steps to take:
· Slow down. Don’t rush to send money back. Give the payment time to clear.
· Call your bank. If you get a weird check or an odd payment, ask your bank for help before doing anything.
· Trust your gut. If something doesn’t feel right, it’s okay to say no or stop the sale.
· Keep records. Save messages, receipts, and payment info. If something goes wrong, you’ll have proof.
· Use safe platforms. Some websites and apps offer seller protection. Learn how they work and follow their rules.
Online marketplaces are great places to buy and sell. But they’re also places where scammers try to trick people. If you’re not careful, you could lose your money—and possibly your item.
But now you know what to watch for. You know the signs. You know how to protect yourself.
The next time someone sends you “too much money,” don’t panic. Don’t rush. Don’t send anything back until you’re sure the payment is real.
Because that “Approved Payment” might just turn out to be approved fraud.
