Is a caller from a tech company offering to refund an overcharge a scam?
Yes. Refund scams impersonate tech companies to trick you into giving remote access and then steal money from your bank account.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
The caller claims to be from a software company and says you were overcharged for a subscription renewal. They send an inflated refund to your account using remote access software to 'process the transaction'. You are then told you received too much money by mistake and must return the surplus by gift card or wire transfer. In reality, the 'refund' is a transfer between your own accounts made to look like extra money arrived, or it is a fraudulent credit that will be clawed back. The money you send back is real and gone. Tech companies do not process refunds via remote access software or ask you to return money by gift card.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited call claiming you are owed a refund you didn't request
- Asked to download remote access software to process the refund
- You appear to receive more money than expected
- Asked to return the excess by gift card, wire transfer, or crypto
- Caller becomes aggressive if you question the process
What to do now
- Hang up immediately
- If you gave remote access, disconnect from the internet and run a security scan
- Check your bank accounts for unauthorised activity
- Call your bank if you sent money and report to your national fraud authority
Frequently asked questions
Could I genuinely be owed a refund from a tech company?
Legitimate refunds are processed automatically or through your account portal — not via an inbound call asking for remote access. Contact the company directly if you believe you are owed money.