How To Protect Yourself From Common Money Mule Scams

Fraudsters want access to your bank accounts to move their fraudulent funds. They exploit your trust when you may be vulnerable, such as looking for a new job or relationship, and needing financial aid. But when you make payments or transfers on their behalf, you'll learn that the funds were fraudulent. By then it's too late and you've already lost your money.

Notice suspicious activity on your account?
Call us at 877-448-6500 Opens your phone app..

What you need to know

Only send money to people you know. Never agree to send money for someone you've never met in person.
Be wary of unsolicited emails and messages, especially if they offer a prize or money for little to no effort.
Cut off contact immediately if you suspect you're being used as a money mule. If you've moved money, let us know right away.

What's a money mule scam?

Once fraudsters gain your trust, they exploit it by using you as a money mule and accessing your accounts to move fraudulent funds.

Money mule scams follow a typical pattern:

A fraudster contacts you through channels such as social media, job boards or dating sites to build trust and connection.
Once the fraudster has gained your trust, they'll ask you to deposit checks or accept transfers into your account. You won't know that the check or funds are fraudulent.
Once you've made the deposit, the fraudster will provide an account and ask you to transfer those funds to them through a wire transfer or email money transfer service.
After you've made the transfer, you'll learn the initial funds were fraudulent. By then, you've already lost your money and can be responsible for covering the money you moved.

Recognize the types of money mule scams

Lottery scam

Fraudsters say you've won a lottery but you need to pay taxes to claim your prize. If you can’t pay them upfront, you'll be referred to a third-party (who is in on the scam) to provide a check or loan to cover the taxes. After you transfer the tax payment, the third-party funds turn out to be fraudulent and you're responsible for covering the money you sent.

Overpayment scam

A fraudster buys an item you’re selling but overpays you for it. You refund them the difference. You find out later, however, that their original payment was fraudulent and you've lost the money you refunded and the item that you were selling.

New job offer scam

A fraudster pretends to be a new employer and asks you to deposit money into your account as part of a job offer. They'll ask you to move a portion of that money into another account. You'll find out after that the original deposit was fraudulent and you've lost the money you moved.

Foreign government official scam

A fraudster claims to be a foreign government official and asks you to move money out of their country for them. They send you the funds to move to another account and you move them as instructed. However, the fraudster's payment doesn't clear and you've lost the money you moved.

Inheritance scam

You're told you've inherited money from a relative you've never met but must pay service fees to receive the inheritance. The fraudster keeps your payment and you never receive the expected inheritance.

Spot the signs of money mule scams

If you're asked to move money for a stranger or accepted their deposit, stay alert for these warning signs:

You've never met the person who's asking you to make the transfer and you don't know the person you've been asked to send the money to
The person asking you to transfer money makes contact through unofficial or unsolicited channels, such as job boards, dating sites, social media or emails
The person asks you to transfer money from a deposit that hasn't cleared yet
You've received an overpayment and are asked to refund the difference
The person cuts off contact after you've made the transfer to them

Scams through job boards

You're offered a large sum for minimal work or effort
You interact with your contacts exclusively online and have never met them in person
The job description is vague with little to no experience needed
The position requires moving money

Stay safe with our tips

Send money only to people you know. If you've only talked to someone online, ask a trusted friend or family member for advice or a second opinion.
If you are a parent, guardian or power of attorney, know who your children or elderly family members are talking to online.
Check email addresses from a contact or sender for official email domains, not publicly available ones such as Hotmail, Gmail and Yahoo.

Don't agree to transfer funds from your personal bank account. Legitimate transactions and offers won't involve a request to transfer funds.
Wait for a deposit to clear your account before you make any transfers. By waiting, you won't lose money or be responsible for covering a loss if a deposit turns out to be fraudulent.

What to do if you think you've been targeted by a money mule scam:

Stop all contact with the individual. Keep notes and references of their contact details and any identifying information.

If you've moved money, let us know right away.

Notice anything suspicious? Let us know.

Contact us immediately if you received a suspicious email or notice any unauthorized activity on your account.

Call us: 877-448-6500 Opens your phone app.

Explore more about money mule scams

Internet Crime Complaint Center Opens in a new window.

Report fraud when it happens and track the latest data on fraud happening across the country.

Federal Bureau of Investigation Opens in a new window.

Read about the latest consumer and industry fraud alerts and how to protect your information.

American Bankers Association Opens in a new window.

Get connected with the resources banks use to help you identify, prevent and report fraud.

Protect yourself from money mule scams

What you need to know

What's a money mule scam?

Recognize the types of money mule scams

Lottery scam

Overpayment scam

New job offer scam

Foreign government official scam

Inheritance scam

Spot the signs of money mule scams

Scams through job boards

Stay safe with our tips

Notice anything suspicious? Let us know.

Explore more about money mule scams

Continue to Internet Crime Complaint Center site?

Continue to FBI Scams and Safety site?

Continue to American Bankers Association site?