The FTC says scammers impersonate parents and send checks for more than the childcare rate, then demand the victim return the difference. Victims may find the check later bounces, leaving them responsible for repayment.

The FTC Consumer Advice unit issued a warning about a fake check scheme targeting childcare providers. In the scam, criminals allegedly pose as parents and send a check “in advance” for an amount larger than the agreed childcare payments. After the provider deposits the check, the scammers claim the victim must refund the “difference” back to them—often using payment methods that move quickly, such as wire transfers or payment apps. The key danger, according to the FTC, is timing. Checks can appear to clear initially, which creates urgency and false confidence for the provider. But the FTC explains that the check may later bounce. When that happens, the bank can reverse funds, and the provider may still be on the hook to repay the bank for the original deposit. Because childcare operators are often under pressure to accept payments that appear legitimate, the FTC highlights them as an especially vulnerable segment. The fraud’s structure relies on exploiting that pressure: get the victim to return money before the dishonored check is discovered. The outcome can include both fraud losses and direct banking repayment losses, even if the victim believed they were simply correcting an overpayment. The FTC’s alert functions as a practical fraud-mitigation reminder: verify legitimacy, be cautious with overpayment/refund demands, and avoid sending money back after a check deposit until funds are confirmed.