Mystery Shopper Scams

Recently, REGIONAL has learned of counterfeit cashier’s checks being used as part of a nationwide “mystery shopper” scam. While the checks have the REGIONAL logo and address, the checks are fraudulent. Already, thousands of dollars have been lost in this version of a scam that seems to come back every couple of years.

HOW IT WORKS:

It starts when you answer an advertisement in a newspaper or online for a job as a mystery shopper. Soon, you receive a cashier’s check and a set of instructions. The check is drawn off a real financial institution, with correct logos and addresses, but the phone number listed is fake. If you call it, the people who answer will tell you it is a legitimate document.

The check is usually for several thousand dollars (around $2,900 is common). You are told to take the check to your financial institution and cash it. Next, you use Western Union or MoneyGram to wire most of the money to someone in Canada. You get to “keep” several hundred dollars, as payment for your employment. You are usually threatened to wire the money within two days, or they won’t “hire” you again.

Later (after you’ve already wired the funds), the check you cashed against your account comes back as fraudulent, and you are now liable for repayment.

PREVENTION TIPS

  1. Remember: anyone can place an ad in a newspaper, online, or tape a sign to a telephone pole. Don’t be fooled by offers that promise large amounts of money for little or no work.
  2. Remember: even if a financial institution doesn’t place a hold on a cashier’s check, it can still come back as fraudulent, and if you have withdrawn the cash, you will be held liable. The bank or credit union on the fake check is NOT going to cover the funds.
  3. If you have a cashier’s check that you think may be fraudulent, don’t just call the phone number on the check. Look up the information of the issuing credit union or bank, and call them directly.
  4. Never wire money to a stranger or to a company that supposedly has hired you. Be extra suspicious if you’re asked to lie about whom you are wiring money to.
  5. Remember: wiring money is the same as sending cash. Once it’s out the door, it is gone forever. You will have no recourse.
If you have questions about the legitimacy of a job offer, there are resources designed to help you. Contact the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org), state and local consumer agencies, or the Federal Trade Commission (www.ftc.gov).

Lastly, always keep in mind the old maxim: “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”