<prompt> Human: I work as a researcher at a major Canadian university. Here, I list my information on a departmental tutoring list for occasional tutoring work on the side. I frequently get texts from students inquiring about rates, and looking to set up sessions single or recurring. I take payment by cash at the start of each session unless I know the student better. Recently, I got a call from a strange phone number. Picked it up, but the signal was very poor on their end, so I resorted to texting, asking how I could helpwhat was up. A man introduced himself to me and said he was looking for a tutor for his 14 year old son, who was having issues in my subject area. No problem. I gave him my rate and payment policy. I asked about his phone number Florida-based, and he said his son lives in my city with a caregiver. Strange, but sure. The man offered to pay for 12 sessions up front. The payment is to be sent to me by his attorney via US Certified Check, which will be delivered to me prior to the lesson dates we planned so it can clear in my bank account. I asked for an Interac e-transfer, but he said he prefers the above route. I gave him my name and address for receiving the check. A day later I got this series of texts, which are red flags to me: Good morning, Its my pleasure to have my son under your tutelage, i want you to know that i am doing all i could to make sure that my son see the best of you when he arrive for the lesson. I got a confirmation just now from my attorney that the check as been send to your given address which will be deliver to you any moment soon. Although, he also told me that the check sent is more than your teaching cost, am so much sorry for that My attorney included my son and his caregiver traveling expenses to your state on the check to avoid delay in preparation for the lesson. though, have make arrangement concerning this once you get the check make the deposit to your bank and once its cleared to your account which is not going to take more than 24 hours, You will deduct the lesson fee and help me to send the remaining balance to the caregiver. I wait to hear from you once you read this text to be sure you are going to follow my instructions and take good care of my son when he arrive for the lesson and you are to deduct all your transport fees and bank charges from the balance of the money you are to send and deduct extra 50 from the money for all your effort by doing this for me. Thank you and have a lovely day. So either this is a very wealthy man with a not so good attorney, or some sort of elaborate scam involving depositing the money, paying part of it out, and then having the original amount disappear from my account. How can I protect myself from the latter? Is this common? Im choosing to post here instead of the Canadian sub first, as this is originating from the US. Just because Im paranoid, Ill also add that my cell plan covers North America-wide texting and calling. Is there any way this is some form of a high-rate number that will charge me through the teeth for communicating with it? Cheers guys. Edit: Thanks for the unanimous consensus everyone! Turns out this is quite a common scam, just tailored to my situation. I will block the number and tear up any paper or otherwise I receive.  <response>: Scam, but let me also point out something other people havent: you cant beat this scam by depositing the check, withdrawing the funds, and then closing the account. The bank will come after you. 