Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Quick Change Scam - How it Works?
Quick Change Scam - How it Works?

The "Quick Change" scam is used by a scammer to confuse a cashier into giving him more change than he should receive. The scam works by paying for a low-cost item with a large denomination and quickly and abruptly asking for multiple change requests while the cashier is still making change for the previous change request.

An Example

An example of a quick-change con typically begins with paying for a low-cost item with a large bill, such as buying a $1.00 item with a $100 bill. While the cashier is counting the change, the scammer distracts the cashier by chatting about a random subject. Then, the scammer changes his mind and asks to pay for the item with a smaller bill such as a $5.

He hands the cashier a $5 bill and asks for the $100 bill back. The cashier forgets that he's already made change for the $100 and hands the original $100 bill back to the con artist. The cashier then makes change for the $5 bill.

The thief pockets the $99 in change from the first transaction.

How to Spot the "Quick Change" Scam

  • Cashiers should be wary of customers trying to purchase a low-cost item with a large bill. Cashiers should request that customers use a smaller bill for the transaction. If the customers don't have a smaller bill, the cashier can direct them to the nearest bank to break the large bill into smaller denominations.
  • Look out for shoppers who look confused and quickly and continuously asking to make change.
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