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A Refund Scam is a type of scam that involves the victim to log into their online bank account. They use social engineering tactics to gain the trust of their victims and will. Similar to technical support scams, these scams involve remote access of a victim's computer but this time they directly get into their bank account.

How It Appears
These scams appear via voicemails that claim a company is refunding you. The subject varies from this following:


 * A company going out of business and giving refunds to its supposed customers.
 * A subscription that is going to renewed or expired. The subscription would mostly be for computer support.
 * Calling them about an order they have placed. The victim must call back the number if they didn't order that product.

Another method used by the scammers apart from robocalling is emailing. In emails, they will write that an order is placed (typically an expensive product) and that they should call the given number to refund that order. The email does differ as well, sometimes being about subscription or a refund they are due to obtain.

The Scam In Action
The scam requires the user to have a device, preferably a computer. They will first get the victim to install a Remote Access Software. The scammer instructs the victim to read their connection ID of the software which the scammer will copy and gain access to the computer. The scammers may install addition RAS to get more features particularly the black screen feature to block out the operation.

They use tactics to convince victims.

Once at the bank account, the scammer will blacken the screen from the Remote Software's features. They mostly claim that it is the 'server' doing this but really they are editing your bank html. They transfer money in between accounts to prepare the fake refund. Then use HTML editing to make it looks like the company refunded the money but there will be a difference. The scammer will add an extra zero digit as this is where the scam initiates. Instead of the usual hundred amount, the now 'refunded' amount is by a thousand more. Once the victim sees the error, the scammer will immedietaly request that they return that difference back to their company protesting that it should be done now to secure their job. The scammers instructs the victim to use either methods to send the amount:


 * Gift cards, the most popular option since its hard to trace them. They ask the victims to go to a store and obtain an amount that matches the difference (it could be two $500 cards as an example.) THey might even ask them to go to different places at once to avoid suspicion.
 * Wire transfers, the victim will be given an overseas bank account for the money to be wired in. That account is affiliated with the scammers who then will send it to them. Sometimes, they make victims use Wire apps such as Zelle, or even register an account for them.


 * Sometimes the money may be delivered physically to a random address in a secured package the victim prepares. The package contains an item that will hide the cash as it illegal to ship real money by postal companies. The sent address is occupied by a money mule, someone who sends the money to scammers. These mules may have direct contact with the scammers or are hired by the scammer's supervisors who will be sent the victim's package to them.

How To Avoid These Scams

 * It is important to note that many well known tech companies like Amazon, Apple or Microsoft, never call you directly for refunds, such calls are to be initiated by you only.
 * If you get an email that claims you ordered something you don't have, check your account orders before you call. It is very likely a scam.
 * Gift cards are NEVER used as a payment method for big companies or governmental agencies.
 * Only use wire to transfer money to accounts you personally know.

Other Info:

 * Like Tech support scams, these scammers mostly originate in India.
 * Scammers collect victim information and pass onto other call centres. This is how scammers are able to find their victims.
 * Targeted victims of these scams are often senior or less technologically knowledgable people.