Scam Alert

The Overpayment Scam Targeting Tutors on Facebook

Tutors are being targeted on Facebook by scammers posing as parents, offering to pay for weeks of lessons upfront—only to run an overpayment/refund scam that leaves tutors out of pocket.

The Scenario

Scammers use fake or hacked Facebook profiles to contact tutors, offering to pay 1–2 months of lessons in advance. After building trust, they claim to be going through a divorce and insist on paying by check so their 'divorce lawyers' can monitor transactions. The check is deliberately overpaid, and the scammer asks for the excess to be returned via bank transfer, Zelle, or another method. By the time the bank flags the check as fake, the tutor has already sent the refund and loses the money. The scammers may also steal personal information for identity theft or further scams.

Critical Warning

If someone offers to pay for tutoring months in advance without meeting—and especially if they change payment methods due to a 'personal crisis'—be alert. Overpayment scams are common and can drain your funds quickly.

Red Flags to Watch For

💰 Too Good to Be True: Offering to pay months in advance without meeting the student.

😢 Emotional Manipulation: Sudden personal crisis (like divorce) used to pressure compliance.

💳 Overpayment Request: Sending a check for more than the agreed amount and asking for a refund.

✉️ Payment Method Control: Insisting on using checks rather than secure payment platforms.

How to Protect Yourself

Never refund money from a check until it has fully cleared, which can take weeks.

Meet the student before accepting payment—many scams end when in-person meetings are requested.

Research and verify new clients before accepting large or upfront payments.

Investigated By

Emmanuel Nudelman

Threat Researcher

Key Takeaway

Never refund money from a check until it fully clears. Use secure payment methods and verify new clients before accepting large sums.