A Seattle nonprofit was pressured to return excess money from a generous donation – only to learn the original check wasn’t valid.
SEATTLE — It looked like a generous gift: a $2,000 donation to help train service dogs for people with disabilities. But what seemed like a dream gift quickly turned into a scam.
Seattle-based Atlas Assistance Dogs got an email from a man named “Richard” offering the donation. When the check arrived, it was for more than double the promised amount. The organization deposited the check, but soon, the emails and text messages started coming, pressuring the nonprofit to return the “extra money.”
“They started with trying to almost bribe and be nice,” explained Jennifer Kolar, board president of Atlas Assistance Dogs. “Then they shifted to being more threatening and nasty.”
Kolar became suspicious and contacted the issuing bank. That’s when she learned the check had been written on a closed account.
This type of scheme is known as an overpayment scam. It works like this: the check may appear legitimate and even clear initially. But days later, the bank bounces the check. If the victim has already sent back the extra money, they end up losing thousands of dollars.
The Better Business Bureau warns these scams are happening across the country, often targeting businesses and small nonprofits. Red flags include overpayments that are sent unexpectedly and requests to wire money back. The BBB’s advice is simple: never accept an overpayment.
Atlas Assistance Dogs was targeted twice but didn’t fall for the scam. While they didn’t lose any money, the experience has shaken their sense of trust.
“It’s particularly despicable to be going after animal charities and these small organizations,” said Kolar. “I could easily see somebody falling for that, especially when you’re really desperate to bring in funds to support the work you’re doing.”
If you suspect you’re the victim of this type of scam, report it to the BBB Scam Tracker or the Federal Trade Commission.