Beware of the Tutoring Overpayment Scam

Posted on Author RCC

Also known as the “Babysitter Scam”

How it works: Scammer contacts instructors, students or job boards, typically via email, and offers to prepay for services like tutoring, babysitting or dog-walking. They overpay you with a check, offering plausible reasons.

Red Flag: They ask you to send back part of the overpayment through money order, cashier’s check, gift cards or wire transfer.

The Scam: The original payment bounces, and you lose the money you “refunded.”

Result: You lose the entire amount you sent as a refund for the “overpayment.”

Protect Yourself:

  • Don’t accept money from strangers, especially by check.
  • Use cash or Venmo for payments.
  • If someone prepays or overpays you, it’s likely a scam.
  • Wait for your bank to confirm the payment has cleared before refunding anything.

If This Happens to You:

  • Do not be embarrassed. This happens to many people.
  • Contact your bank immediately for advice and options.
  • Inform your friends, family or colleagues to tell them what happened and remember, it’s not your fault.
  • If this affects your ability to pay for essential living expenses, students may be eligible for help through the Osprey Care Fund or other resources available to RCC students, faculty and staff.

If You Still Have Time:

  • If you’ve cashed the check, don’t refund it immediately.
  • Stop communicating with the scammer until you’re sure the payment has cleared.
  • If you feel the situation is urgent, call 911 or 211. Do not continue communicating.

Warning Signs (“Spidey Sense” Alert!):

  1. Anytime you are communicating with somebody you don’t know.
  2. You weren’t expecting to be recommended for a job.
  3. You receive an overpayment.
  4. You’re asked to send money via an untraceable method (money order, cashier’s check, wire transfer, gift cards, cash).

How Banks Handle Deposits:

Banks make deposits available quickly but don’t clear the funds right away. It can take days or weeks to clear, depending on the source. If the payment fails, the bank takes the money back. Payments can take up to a year to clear.

How to Protect Yourself:

  1. Never send money to people you don’t know.
  2. Don’t give your bank account details to strangers.
  3. Don’t accept overpayments; return the check uncashed and stop communicating. Recommended: don’t accept checks! Only accept Venmo or cash payments.
  4. Only refund money after you are sure the original payment clears.
  5. If you were contacted at your RCC email, report the scam to Sophos.
  6. Report the scam to the police to create a record.

Avoid Scams and Fraud:

• Be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
• Don’t give out personal information unless you trust the company.
• Research any company thoroughly before engaging.
• Avoid clicking on suspicious links in emails or texts.
• Keep your software updated to avoid security risks.
• Use strong, unique passwords for each account.
• Be cautious about what you post on social media – scammers can use it against you.

Disclaimer: This information is provided to inform and educate our staff, faculty and students. RCC will not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential damages that occur due to successful fraud and/or phishing events encountered by staff, faculty and students.

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