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.
In reply to I received a cashier's check by sunilento1
In reply to What if you take the check to by tabcat13
In reply to DO NOT (try to) cash one of by B1BomberVB
In reply to DO NOT (try to) cash one of by B1BomberVB
In reply to Is there someone I can by Chadwick1724
You can report this to the FTC at FTC.gov/complaint. The information you give will go into a secure database that the FTC and other law enforcement agencies use for investigations. The comments you put here on the blog don't go into the law enforcement database.
In reply to Yup got a text message today by K3D2
In reply to I just got a check, it was by jlambg14
In reply to I just got a check, it was by jlambg14
In reply to Has anyone tried to cash one by scooby
In reply to Has anyone tried to cash one by scooby
I just got this email today
Hello, Participate in Refresher Energy Drink Company Advertising...Our company is one of the most innovative Advertising agencies with clients all over the world.We have a target to advertise so many products for a number of companies mostly in USA,as a whole and we also have representatives in this regions.The ads are typically vinyl decals, also known as "auto wraps," that almost seem to be painted on the vehicle and which will cover any portion of your car's exterior surface. What does the company get out of this type of ad strategy? Lots of exposure and awareness. The auto wraps tend to be colorful and eye-catching and attract lots of attention. Plus, it's a form of advertising with a captive audience,this means people who are stuck in traffic can't avoid seeing the wrapped car alongside..We work as an advertising agent and we will be doing the advert for the new company which will be producing biscuit which includes cookies, crackers, and cereals. The advert will be a small sticker which will be placed on your car and we need someone in your state who will be dedicated to doing this and be rest assured you will be paid promptly. This program will last for 3 months and the minimum period you can participate is 1 month..We shall provide experts that will handle the advert placement on your car. You will receiving a weekly payment of $400 and this payment will be sent as an upfront payment to you for allowing us place the advert on your car.
After the duration of your service and you want to discontinue, the specialist/ expert shall come again and remove the advert placement on your car with no traces of ever placing a vinyl decals on your vehicle. Send the required below Information: Full Name: Address: City,State and Zip code: Mobile Number : Age: Occupation: Make of car/ year: Exterior Color of Car: Email Address: Possible Questions/ Answer below: 1. Is this going to affect the paint of my car ? No is not going to affect the car paints. 2. How Large is the sticker ? Just small sticker. We shall be contacting you as soon as we receive these information. We look forward to working with you soonest. Hiring Agent Wilson Raymond jammedwilson91 @
In reply to I tried this. TOTAL SCAM. by Iceman
In reply to I just received a check have by Thanx4help
Some people give the checks they receive to their bank, local post office (if the check came by postal mail) or police; some people destroy the checks.
In reply to Has anyone did the energy by Quanna
In reply to So did you keep the money? by Geewizzers1990
In reply to Geewizzers - I would have by Sallie68
In reply to My friend just got such a by B1BomberVB
Pagination