Go Phish! Week #18

Your weekly dose of scam-proofing in 3 minutes or less, no fluff, just the latest hacks, scams, phishing attacks, and cyber cons you actually need to know about.

🚨SCAM OF THE WEEK: Overpayment Scams

What is it?

A scammer pretends to buy something from you, usually on platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, Craigslist, or even via invoice. They “accidentally” overpay and ask you to refund the difference. You send the money back… then their original payment bounces.

You're out of pocket. Twice. Once for the refund, and again for your wasted time and trust.

🧠 How It Works

• The scammer offers to buy your product or service. Easy peasy.

  
  

• They pay you (via PayPal, fake bank transfer, cheque, or even crypto).

  
  

• But oops—"I accidentally sent you too much! Please refund the difference."

  
  

• You send back the excess.

  
  

• A few days later, their original payment is reversed or flagged as fraud.

  
  

• You're now minus the product AND the money you refunded.

This scam is straight out of the classic con artist playbook, just updated for the digital age with fake names, burner accounts, and payment screenshots that look legit but aren’t.

💥 Why It Works

Because we’re wired to play fair. If someone overpays us, we naturally want to fix it. Especially if they seem polite, grateful, or in a rush.

And by the time you realise you’ve been played, your money’s long gone and the account’s deleted.

⚠️ Red Flags for Customers to Watch Out For

• Buyer overpays, then urgently asks for the difference to be sent back

  
  

• Payment comes in a weird format (cheque, crypto, sketchy wire)

  
  

• They ask you to use a different account or app for the refund

  
  

• Their messages feel overly polite, rushed, or oddly insistent

  
  

They show you payment "proof" but it's a screenshot, not a real receipt

🛡️ How Not to Get Played

• Never refund money for an overpayment until the original payment clears (and even then, be cautious).

  
  

• Use trusted platforms that offer buyer/seller protection.

  
  

• If something feels dodgy, trust your gut — stop and verify.

  
  

• Don’t rely on screenshots or email confirmations, log into your account directly and check.

  
  

If someone pressures you to act fast, that’s your sign to slow down.

🔥 ONE-LINER HOT TAKE

If someone “accidentally” gives you extra money, they’re not being generous, they’re baiting the hook.

That’s it for this week.

If a buyer ever seems too eager, too generous, or too pushy - walk away. Legit buyers don’t beg you to send money back.

Catch you next time,
Dan & the Goldphish Team

📌 P.S. Know someone selling their old furniture, phone, or PlayStation online? Forward them this before they get suckered by an overpayment scam.