Refund scam
A fake refund used to trick you into paying the scammer or sharing account access.
A refund scam flips the usual script: instead of demanding payment, the fraudster pretends to give you money back, then manipulates you into paying them. A typical version starts with an email or call claiming you are owed a refund from a retailer, bank or tax office. To 'process' it they ask you to log in, share card details, or grant remote access to your computer.
In a common twist, they 'accidentally' refund far too much, show you a faked balance, and beg you to return the difference — money that was never really sent, so what you send back is your own. The overpayment scam works on the same false-generosity logic. Real refunds go back to the original payment method automatically; you never need to log in through a link or move money to receive one. If someone insists you owe them a returned overpayment, check your genuine bank balance directly before doing anything at all. Treat any unexpected refund that needs your active help — codes, transfers, remote access — as a con wearing a friendly face.