I've been successfully refunding and social engineering products for over five years. In this guide, I'm revealing every method, tactic, and trick I've used.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your approach, you'll find everything you need to master the process and get consistent results.
Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your approach, you'll find everything you need to master the process and get consistent results.
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The Missing Item Method
This method is simple. You report that the item wasn’t inside the box when it arrived. Do not mention theft, just claim it was never packed, and make it clear the outer packaging showed no signs of damage. You can also say the internal packaging was missing too, making it seem like a warehouse or dispatch error. The aim is to push responsibility onto the sender.
Stick to lighter items under 120 grams to keep the claim realistic.
The Corrupted File Method
Most companies will ask for proof before they issue a refund or replacement, this typically means sending a photo of the item, the serial number, and sometimes a handwritten note to confirm ownership.
To avoid this use the corrupted file method. Essentially you send a file that does not open.
Every time support asks you, you simply resend a corrupted file every time, using a different format to make it look like you are trying. Tell them the file works fine on your end, and politely push back when they question it.
If you stay consistent and seem cooperative, most reps will give up and approve the refund/replacement. The goal is to make them stop asking and move forward with the claim.
Leaking Battery Method
When targeting items with batteries (laptops, phones, vapes) use this method. Essentially you'll be claiming the item arrived with a leaking battery. The idea is to say the item was not received in its original condition, and the battery is damaged so they must refund or replace it.
For example, if the item is a laptop, you will say the battery was leaking on delivery. Usually, the company will ask you to return the item before they offer a refund or replacement. The rep typically will also ask for photos of the faulty product, including a handwritten note and the serial number.
To ensure this works pick a company whose carriers refuse to ship hazardous goods, so the laptop cannot be returned. For photos, the "corrupted file method" is good to fool the rep.
The Double Dip MethodWith the double dip method, you target the same company and the same item twice. For example, you want two pairs of AirPods without paying for either.
First, you place an order and use the DNA method by claiming the item never arrived. Once the company sends a replacement, you now have two sets but only paid for one.
Next, you contact them again and say the replacement is defective. After a few basic checks, the rep will ask you to return it. You use the box method by sending back only the empty packaging. Since the item is missing, they assume it was stolen during transit and issue a refund.
In the end, you receive two pairs of AirPods and get a refund.
The Cross Shipping Method
Cross shipping means the company sends a replacement while expecting you to return the faulty item at the same time. Normally, they charge you first and refund after getting the old item.
You avoid this by choosing companies without that policy. For example, you claim a broken GPU and get approval for cross shipping. The company sends a replacement and expects the faulty one back.
Instead, you send an empty box, keeping the new GPU. To avoid being traced, use a drop address and fake payment info like a one-time virtual credit card. Staying hidden is easy I have another thread on OPSEC that I suggest you view.
The Fake Receipt Method
If a social engineering attempt requires a receipt, you can send a fake one. But it has to be done properly. You cannot just generate something random and hope it works.
Your fake receipt must match the format of the original. To do this I suggest, you buy something from the same store using a different account, then copy that receipt. You can change a few small details, like altering two digits in the order number, so when they check it, it looks like a system error on their end.
You can use online generators or PSD templates made for specific stores. If needed, you edit everything in Photoshop. Done right, this works well and usually leads to a refund.
The Boxing Method
When companies ask you to return an item before issuing a refund or replacement, you can use the "boxing" method by sending back an empty box. For heavier items, you can put something like dry ice inside to make it seem like the product is still there.
Dry ice turns to gas, so by the time the company receives the package, the contents are gone. If the box is sealed with tape that looks tampered with, the company may assume the item was stolen during shipping and approve your claim.
For lighter items under 120 grams, you don’t need to add anything inside. Just tear and tape the box to make it look like it’s been opened. Because the weight is so low, it usually won’t raise flags during shipping checks, increasing your chances of success.
The DNA Method
The DNA method means you claim the package scheduled for delivery by the carrier did not arrive at your address. Even though you actually received it, you say it never did.
This method works with any company using a carrier service. It is not tied to specific items, so weight and size usually do not matter. The goal is to claim the delivery never reached you to get a refund or replacement.
However, you need to use good judgment when choosing the item. For example, if it is a large fridge, the carrier will not leave it without a signature. The DNA method works because companies mark packages as delivered but do not confirm they were personally received by you.
That is, the carrier did their job by delivering to the right address, but you were not the one who accepted it. Someone else could have signed or stolen it from your doorstep. This difference is what makes the method effective.
The Broken Glass Method
To use this method well, you need to order an item from a company that ships goods with a carrier service, planning for it to be damaged during transit. This means the carrier is responsible, not you. If you have not guessed already, the downside of this method is that it only works with certain items like perfumes and colognes that can break easily.
That does not mean the method does not work. If you use it carefully and strategically, it is one of the few methods that almost always works no matter the company or carrier.
So how does it work? Let’s say you buy a bottle of perfume and claim it was broken when you received and opened the package. It is very hard for the carrier to prove otherwise. The bottle could have broken anywhere from the collection point to the carrier’s depot and during transport to your address. Glass is fragile and can break even if handled carefully.
You will say the bottle was smashed when you got it and ask for a refund. If the company asks for proof, such as a photo of the broken glass, you can either Photoshop it or use the corrupted file method. Either way, you should get the refund or replacement.
The Gift Method
When you ask for a refund, the rep will usually ask for proof of purchase or POP. Only after you provide this will the claim move forward in your favor. Since you don’t have the POP, you will use the gift method by saying the item was given to you as a gift from a friend.
This method works well because the person who gifted you the item usually does not keep the receipt or see a need to keep it. After all, who would hold on to a receipt for something they gave as a gift? In most cases, your account will be credited or a replacement sent, but sometimes you might be asked to send the item back, especially if you say it’s broken or not working.
You can bypass this by being selective with the item you choose. Just like with the box method, you can use dry ice as a weight substitute to avoid sending back the real item. Since the item is light, it will not register on the carrier’s manifest. Overall, you are likely to succeed.
The Corrupted Video Method
This method is similar to the corrupted file method, but instead of a file, you manipulate a video in a very tactical way that leaves almost no room for error. In this case, you are the social engineer.
When you are SEing a company for a functional item you never bought, the first thing they’ll do is go through routine troubleshooting and you’ll say it’s still not working. Before they approve a refund or replacement, the rep will ask you to take a video of the nonfunctional item and upload it to YouTube. They may even ask you to include a handwritten note to confirm what you’re saying is true.
This might seem difficult to avoid, but it’s actually easy to work around. You simply upload any video you like and change a single character in the URL to make it invalid. The important part is that it’s still hosted on YouTube, so it looks like you complied with their request.
They will keep asking for the link, and you repeat the process while expressing frustration about why they cannot process such a simple task. By putting the blame on them and staying firm, they will eventually give in and approve your claim.
Disposed of Faulty Item Method
When you buy an item that requires some kind of functionality to work, like a laptop or computer keyboard, it doesn’t always come in perfect condition. Manufacturing defects happen, and while most get fixed during final quality checks, some imperfections still slip through and end up with the customer.
You know that companies use this to their advantage with the “disposed of the faulty item method.” You will be very careful about the item you plan to SE, and this is why the rep will often ask for the serial number when you make a warranty claim or refund request.
Here’s how it usually goes. You pick something like an electric toothbrush as the faulty item. When the rep asks for proof, you explain that your son was using it and accidentally broke it. You’ll say you threw it out because it was no longer safe. You might add something like “he hurt his hand but it’s nothing to worry about.”
By using health and safety as the reason for disposing of the item, you avoid having to return anything. Because companies take health and safety seriously, refunds are often approved without questions.
Wrong Item Received Method
Of all the methods you’ve read so far, this one is the most popular among SEers and the most versatile. It works with almost every company that has a warehouse full of stock. You don’t even have to restrict yourself to the item you want — this method is flexible and effective.
In warehouses or repair shops, wrong item pickups happen all the time. You take advantage of this by buying a product from the company and then returning a completely different item of similar size and weight. For example, you buy a product but send back an iPhone instead.
You have to plan this carefully. The rep will ask to see the wrong item, so you make sure to pick something that looks similar in size and weight. For example, if you ordered an iPhone XS weighing about 210 grams, you send back something that matches that weight.
After explaining the situation to the rep and showing the wrong item, the company will usually accept the return and credit your account for the original purchase. This method works because warehouses make mistakes, and your goal is to exploit that error.
Partial Method
If you’ve already seen the "missing item method," then this one will feel familiar. The partial method is where you say that you only received part of the order, not everything you paid for. You can use this with bundles or multi-item purchases like phones with accessories, tech gear, or even bulk orders of small items. You tell the company you only received part of it.
Let’s say you ordered six phone cases. When the package arrives, you keep all six, but then claim that only four were in the box. The rep checks the system, sees six were scanned and shipped, and then takes your word that two were missing. If the items are cheap and light, the refund or replacement is usually processed quickly because the loss is minimal for the company.
This method also works well with heavier items. You can order something like a 20-kilogram dumbbell set, and say that one dumbbell was missing. As long as the weight discrepancy is within tolerance at the carrier’s end, it usually slips through unnoticed.
Serial Number Method
This method works best with electronics or tech items that use serial numbers. That includes companies like Apple, Logitech, and others that track products for warranty and fraud reasons.
To start, you find a valid serial number for the same item you want to refund. You can usually find this online through listings, secondhand marketplaces, or even product review images. Once you have that, you contact the company and say that the product is faulty. The rep will ask for the serial number, and when they check it, it will come up as valid.
They’ll assume you really own the product, even though you don’t. You say it is still under warranty, and you’re asking for a replacement or a refund. The rep processes it, and you get credited or sent a new one.
Sometimes, they might ask for the item back. If that happens, you just say you already disposed of it or it got damaged beyond use. Just make sure the serial number you're using is still valid and hasn't already been used for a return.
Receipt Method
Before you even start, know that this method depends entirely on using a fake receipt. You claim you bought something but cannot find the order in your account. So instead, you say you ordered as a guest and provide them with a receipt as proof.
Now, since you never actually ordered anything, the receipt is fake. But you make it look real by copying the company’s format. You can do this using templates, online tools, or even Photoshop if needed. The point is to match the store’s layout exactly, including fonts, item descriptions, and transaction numbers.
Once you send it in, the rep checks the details. If it looks legit, they’ll move forward with the claim. This method is often used when you want to avoid account-level tracking or when the item was supposedly bought through a guest checkout.
Just be sure the receipt doesn’t raise red flags. Keep the total amount realistic, make sure the item matches the company’s inventory, and avoid putting anything that could look suspicious like random symbols or odd transaction times.
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