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Have you seen ads promising easy money if you shrink-wrap your car — with ads for brands like Monster Energy, Red Bull, or Pepsi? The “company” behind the ads says all you have to do is deposit a check, use part of it to pay a specified shrink-wrap vendor, and drive around like you normally would. But don’t jump onto the bandwagon. It’s only easy money for the scammer who placed the ads.

How you spot the “offer”

You might see an ad on a job board or on social media. Or someone might send you a message — maybe because they saw your profile or resume on a job site.

How the scam works

The message says you’ll make a couple hundred bucks. But when the “company” sends you a check, it’s for much more than that — a couple thousand dollars. They tell you to deposit the check, keep part of it as your share, and wire the rest to another company that will wrap your car.

Weeks after you wire the money, the check bounces and your bank tells you it was a fake. The money you kept as “your share” disappears, and the money you wired is long gone — no getting it back. On top of that, you’re on the hook for paying your bank back for the fake check. And, of course, no one’s wrapping your car.

How you can tell it’s a scam

If you get a message urging you to deposit a check and wire money back, it’s a scam. Every time. No matter the story. And if this were a legitimate car wrap opportunity, wouldn’t the company directly pay the car-wrapping vendor, instead of asking you to do it?

Has this happened to you? File a complaint. Want to know more? Read our articles to learn how to spot variations on fake checks and money wiring scams.

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The purpose of this blog and its comments section is to inform readers about Federal Trade Commission activity, and share information to help them avoid, report, and recover from fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Your thoughts, ideas, and concerns are welcome, and we encourage comments. But keep in mind, this is a moderated blog. We review all comments before they are posted, and we won’t post comments that don’t comply with our commenting policy. We expect commenters to treat each other and the blog writers with respect.

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Buryware
December 26, 2019
'contract @ peette aand coffeecar advert. They offered something, got $4,800.88. UPS envelope, looked legit. Chase cashed their check. I was suppose to forward $3,700, to the decaler. I checked my account, BEFORe I sent their money. The original check was STOP payment on it, and was removed. True story.
Lilmama_8707
December 07, 2019
Really construction wrap is another...
KSlinger
December 08, 2019
Was contacted by scammer fir AMP energy drink offering $400 a week. When I asked for company credentials they replied the company would get back to me. Scammer name Richard number 612- 314-5785.
Korey
December 09, 2019
I just got a text from a guy saying he is the CEO of McDonald's and said that his name is Kevin for got his last name any how asked me to put a decal on my car of McDonald's McAfee on my car for 400 a week and and said that they will fed ex me a cashiers check and some legal papers to be signed and i was to take the check to the decal guy and he is going to put the decal on my car and give me 400 in a check and i was to mail this kevin guy a copy of the check that i recived and the send in the legal paper work to the CEO Kevin and sign the papers to have a legal contract with McDonald's to drive around with this decal on my car for 6 months and get paid 400 a week for doing so is this fake or real i really want them busted if its fake so what should I do i have not gotten the check yet so what do I do to do the right thing and keep me from getting in trouble with the law and my bank
Csg52
December 10, 2019
Just got an email from someone who offered me the opportunity to wrap my car for a McDonald's McCafe promotion. I guess it's probably a scam but we will see
jlkeq
December 19, 2019

In reply to by Csg52

I got an offer from someone claiming to be hiring manager for Minute Maid. Said they will pay $500 per week for me to let them advertise on my car. Haven’t received a check but I am told that when I do I should take out my $500 and the rest used to pay the retailer for wrapping and unwrapping my car. I’ll let you know if I am contacted again.
Very aware
December 12, 2019
I reviewed a text ask me to use car wrap from Kai perfume oil they would pay me $500 a week so I fill out info so nxt week I received an email saying I’m sending you the tracking number of a check we sent you when I came home there was a package on my doorstep I opened it and a check was in there for $4756 open it and later that night someone called and asked me did I I told them yes they asked had a deposit I told them yes which I had not deposit it at that time I figured out that it was a scam so they text me back and asked me when was the funds going to be available I told them the next day I had to look up the bank the fraudulent company and at that time the address or the The routing number on the check did not match the bank that was on the check so at that time I knew it was a scam I asked them why would you send me a A $4000 check and I was the only get 1000 and send you the rest I told them I was going to scam them and keep all the money they responded by saying the FBI is going to come get you I said no I’m the FBI and I got you never have to hear it from them again I burn the check soBe aware of what’s going on there are people out there that’s doing some of everything to try to get money from you everybody be blessed
Franny57
December 13, 2019
I just got one of these today for Aquafina. Thank goodness I read this first. The are doing the same thing with putting advertisement on your car and if you reply you're interested, then you get an email about the check you're supposed to forward on. I replied I was sending their email and number to the FBI.
diesel
December 13, 2019
I had it happen to me last week from Izze sparkling juice. The only messed up part was I believed it and I got the check. Took it and cashed it not at my bank but at a friends store and they only did it cuz they knew me and I sent them 580.78 and was able to keep 400.00 for my first wks pay. 2 days ago my friend came to me and said it bounced. I have to pay all that money back. I will never do that again and if it does happen again I will b giving the check to the proper authorities.
Em
December 26, 2019
Got a text from josephbake32 @ “ Get pay with your car,bike or truck, put our company decal on your car and get pay weekly $500, Text back if you are interested.”
AussieNSW
December 26, 2019
Happening over here on Australia. Bloom Drink Inc offering to pay for wrapping your car. Email address was from delmont eaadverts.
ChuckCircle
December 18, 2019
I got an offer and check on way to me. I didn't have to pay nothing up front. How do they benefit from the scam if it is one?
NitrOsMom
March 09, 2021

In reply to by ChuckCircle

They have you deposit the check and send the rest by wiring it, direct deposit or Money Order. Then, about a week later, you find out that the check is bad and then you just spent the money that you can never get back! So, you are out of the whole check and if you spent the money that they told you was yours, you owe the bank that money because it was a bad check!
swalubah
December 26, 2019
Yes it just happens to me this month two scammers from Redbull energy drinks and Rockstar energy drinks car wrap, they both sent sustainsion amount of checks but i didn't fall for it, i did my research, i found out that they were scam artist. I didn't deposit these checks into my account. i have a investigator mind i always do Google search.
Sacamed and Broke!
December 19, 2019
However good it may look, it's a scam. I've been unemployed for a while and thought this would make a decent income until I can find ongoing employment. WRONG! Not only am I on the verge of losing my home, the bills continue to pile up. I was told by my bank that the check was fraudulent and was sent back to the back where the money order was written. Since it was fraudulent, I'm still not clear who cashed it but I'm now on the line for over $4800; which in my financial position at this point and at my age, not sure what I'll do. As the ole saying says, If sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Just be careful who you deal with.
Tim from RI
December 20, 2019
I just got a check for $4800.88. And a letter saying everything the above article said from a company called "Peet Tea and Coffee Company"... Totally a scam gonna throw it all in the trash now. Thank you very much!
Dolynnn't use …
December 21, 2019
I got one from gas monkey energy drink.
Tpojt51
December 22, 2019
This just happened to me. Got 1check thru FedEx and the 2and came in USPS. Unfortunately I deposited first check and sent the money. I have the other 1 right here in my lap. I got a text from the person this morning and I asked him why he was scamming people. Now he won't answer me. Figures. I filed report and now I have to go tell my bank to pull that check and I will pay this back. Trust no one.
HillG71Don't u…
December 22, 2019
I recently received the text message. I previously received a different scam, about being a secret shopper. I feel sorry for individuals who believe. Both I turned over to the police. I didn't cash the check because I felt uneasy aww bout both. It's Christmas tree and con artist are on the rise.
Juice
December 24, 2019
Just got one from bang energy drink
Ram4life
December 27, 2019
I just got an email about getting blue bell ice cream on my vehicle. Says I can make 500 per week. Is this a scam I've been leery about it
Don't use your…
December 29, 2019
Thanks for the information. My son received a check for $3000 and I received a message that I had a check coming for $1890. I'm glad to see the warning signs on your page.
BRAVO
January 03, 2020
NEWMONT ELKO WAREHOUSE SCAM. AMP Energy Car Wrap. $500 a Week. This company sent me a Check for $2,585.00. Wanted me to cash it Immediately. And wanted me to do so using my Cell. I Think I'll Just Keep the Check as a Reminder.
Dumb blonde
January 04, 2020
TAB COLA energy drink- TAB ENERGY DRINK. 400.00 week plus 2000.00 to fix paint if damaged . Sending today.....I am always skeptical, but thought Coke would be legit. I guess not. Sad, to rip someone off already having problems.
MMS50
January 05, 2020
I've recieved several text messages from an individual claiming to represent liquid ice energy drink.... they ask for name, age, address and car model. Given i never applied for a job with this company I'm not sure how they even got my cell phones number. This is the 6th text I've recieved.
Don't use your…
January 05, 2020
I just got a message this morning it is for Frito lay to wrap ur car for 500.00 a week for 8 weeks and also the selling and wording were not good I knew it was a scam
BC Survivor
January 07, 2020
Has anyone received an email from Loop Juices regarding this?
jdiesel
January 07, 2020
Does baskin Robbins do public ads?
Nikki51
January 07, 2020
A friend of mine did this and got a legal check with it. Then she deposited it and the sender used stamped information on the canceled check to gain access to her bank account.
Al B
February 14, 2020
Bud Weiser wrap imposter riyansmath 33@ noreply@123 formbuilder. www.123 form builder.
Re checks and …
January 10, 2020
Just wondering if anyone cashed the check and kept the money? If it is fake but you can have the bank cash it, is it being cashed against your personal funds or the bank is waiting until the check clears? I'm confused how a bank cant spot a conterfiet check, Im also confused how anyone would cash a check and send money (not a check) in person to someone who would do a car wrap. I sound idiotic, but couldn't some just cash the check /get the money and go in person with their car to get the wrap done. Then if the scammer is fradulant the person having the check and cashing would just be able to pay the bank back, can that happen and 'catch' criminals? Or not get scammed out if the money. Also, if the check comes theough the mail, isnt that a Federal charge across state lines and using the postal service although the amounts sem to be below grand larceny in some states isn't federal laws and out of state checks -wiring money or sending casheries checks to address isnt that the scam wrapping innocent people into a mail/cash checking and fradualnt scam? There has to be a way to find a paper trail, especially if the checks are mailed and there are multople address.
RicanQueen
January 14, 2020
I received a text from Bud Light Drink about car wraps. I almost fell for it but decided to google it first. Glad I found this site.
Tmarie
January 14, 2020
What if they are not asking you to wire anyone money. Say its payment for u and a sign on bonus
Jpat
January 15, 2020
I was sent a check for 3000 to shrink wrap my car for zevia sports drinks..i am supposed to keep 600 for me and also receive 600 a week to do this..Is this a scam?Oh also I have to send 2400 in a money order for the guys to come to my house and shrink wrap it And
Kim
January 16, 2020
I received a text claiming to be from Been and Jerry's. I will stay from from this offer. Thanks for the information.
bissygurl
January 16, 2020
It's Monster drinks now...i even received the check for $3,980.00....and was asked to message Mr Slavin at 832-742-6664. Glad I checked this out first :)
isateacher
January 17, 2020
My daughter received a check. We have it. they are still contacting her to cash it. Is there anyway to use this info to track this individual scammer down?
Rosebudd
January 17, 2020
I received a check for over 3,000..just now, so it's a scam ,go figure anyway to SCAM PEOPLE..IM not going for this at all..I need money myself but to do this to me??? Wow crazy world we live in NOWADAYS!!
Nbm0725
January 17, 2020
I got a check and I want to press charges against Mr. Francis Adams with Capri Sun car wrap Company he sent me play bad Counterfeit check I did not deposit it. How do I go by pressing charges?
Nylig732
January 19, 2020
If this car wrap thing is a scam what are they getting out of it?
Mira077
April 29, 2020

In reply to by Nylig732

It sounds like your money from your account. Because the bank loans amount until the funds officially clear. By the time check bounces you have already forwarded them they money they are asking for..Or they have your account information from the canceled check..Either way they are trying to steal your money...
Pls.ThnkU
January 21, 2020
I just got one from "Cranberry". First said it was beer, then said its juice
Gibby
January 24, 2020
energy drink com. Car wrap just had that happen to me
Matt
January 24, 2020
I got a check for $3500 today. Dang ,I was hoping it was real
Username
January 27, 2020
Just got a check for2900.25 claiming you wrap for Nestle’s company glad I saw this. Thanks
Gloworm5
January 28, 2020
I just received a envelope from Fed ex with a check for 4,650 the paper it came with stated to follow said instructions. The paper doesn't say anything about keeping so much amount of money and wiring the rest to a specific acct, the company that's to be wrapped is Manthei Costom Manure LLC out of Pearl City, il
Charlotte
January 28, 2020
Got Text for jj wrap said I would get 500 weekly + some
Charlotte
January 28, 2020
1-708-762-3371 is number 500 weekly 3500.88 +500 1st week 3000.88 for specialist