Is a job that pays by cheque in advance a scam?
Almost always. The 'overpayment cheque' is a classic fraud — the cheque bounces days later and you've already sent back real money.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
In an overpayment cheque scam, you receive a cheque for more than your agreed pay and are asked to wire back the difference. Banks often make funds available before a cheque fully clears, so the money appears in your account — but the cheque later bounces, and you are liable for the full amount you wired. By then the scammer is gone.
Variations include mystery-shopper roles, work-from-home data-entry positions, and personal-assistant jobs. The key tell is always the same: a payment arrives first, you are instructed to forward most of it, and the original cheque turns out to be fraudulent.
Common red flags
- You receive a cheque before doing any work
- Asked to wire back the 'overpayment' portion
- Job found through an unsolicited message or low-quality ad
- The role is vague and requires little skill or experience
- Pressure to deposit and forward the money quickly
- Employer can't be verified through official channels
What to do now
- Do not deposit the cheque or forward any money
- Contact your bank before depositing if you've already received a cheque
- Report the job listing or contact to the platform and your national fraud service
- If you already wired money, contact your bank immediately
- Keep all correspondence as evidence
Frequently asked questions
The money showed in my account — isn't the cheque real?
Banks provisionally credit funds before a cheque fully clears, sometimes within hours. The cheque can still bounce days later, leaving you responsible for any money you spent or wired.
Can the bank help if I already wired the money?
Contact your bank immediately. Wire transfers are hard to reverse, but your bank can document the fraud and may be able to contact the receiving bank. Speed is important.