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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.

  • We won’t post off-topic comments, repeated identical comments, or comments that include sales pitches or promotions.
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  • We won’t post threats, defamatory statements, or suggestions or encouragement of illegal activity.
  • We won’t post comments that include personal information, like Social Security numbers, account numbers, home addresses, and email addresses. To file a detailed report about a scam, go to ReportFraud.ftc.gov.

We don't edit comments to remove objectionable content, so please ensure that your comment contains none of the above. The comments posted on this blog become part of the public domain. To protect your privacy and the privacy of other people, please do not include personal information. Opinions in comments that appear in this blog belong to the individuals who expressed them. They do not belong to or represent views of the Federal Trade Commission.

Sandpart
November 03, 2019

In reply to by WilliamNM

I just got a text about the Baskin Robbins decal. Now I am worried because I opened the text to look at.
g.g
March 16, 2018
i almost went through with it. I got information from the Bud Light Company supposedly saying I can make some money they're going to send me the check and I'll go take out 500 and send the rest to the rapping people. I just got the check in the mail but it seems a little iffy. Glad I'm looking into it beforehand.
King
March 20, 2018
I'm getting one from soy milk 500 a week they said they were sending a check and it will be for more then what it's suppose to be and ima suppose to pay the person that wraps my car
Baited
March 21, 2018
What can a person do if they've attempted to cash one of these fake checks but did not receive any of the money but are now be charge with a crime? I'm not looking for legal advice but My state is trying say I created the check and or knew it was fake before I tried to cash it? I filed a complaint with the FTC this why I'm asking you what can I do no one seems to know. I even tried filing a police report and was told that they will not investigate because this type of crime is common, if that's the case why I'm being pursued by the court and have a June court date... I've even lost my job and can't get a new job because the court has added that I have a pending warrant/court date in my back ground. Nothing like this has ever happened to me before, I'm trying very hard to clear my name but for some reason my state is trying to turn me into a criminal while the real crook is free to continue to victimize people.
corrine808
May 21, 2018

In reply to by Baited

Oh wow. I have no advice but just wanted to say I'm sorry you're going through this.
Shannon M
March 12, 2019

In reply to by Baited

This was a year ago today. How did this work out for you? We received text messages from an advertisement we signed up for and are expecting the check any day now. From reading this we will probably have the bank do an investigation on the check or we will check into it ourselves. I'm very sorry that you had this happen to you.
Bstreet
August 23, 2019

In reply to by Baited

Im so sorry for your problems. I'm replying to your message because I wanted you to know I was also contacted by one of these people. He claimed he was from 5 hour energy. My check is supposedly in the mail. I was going to go through with it but after reading his email thought I had better check them out. Thats when this site came up . Your story saved me from this happening to me. I just wanted to thank you for putting it out there. I know your going through h*** right now and I wish you the best. I know it's t please know you've done alot of good by posting your story. I'm sure you've enlightened alot more people than just me. Best wishes to you and i hope things have gotten better for you.
abog
April 06, 2018
Has anyone heard of this happening from Filasco?
tony
April 07, 2018
Just got a check from venom energy drink. Sent me a check for 1980.40. Told me this contract is for 3 months and they will pay $300 per week for a wrap on my car.
DRT
April 10, 2018
Got email form a Mark Jordan for a Budweiser Wrap $500 a week got check $2850 told to keep $500 first weeks pay send rest to their specialist never deposited told him on hold waiting to clear emailed me 2 days later saying check cleared waiting to see what he does next
Something fishy
May 01, 2018

In reply to by DRT

I had gotten a check for the same amount 2850$ but for Amazon advertising.
Lovinglifesd
April 11, 2018
Im going back an forth with someone from Budweiser (supposedly ) as we speak. Im telling him i will keep entire check because he should be paying vendor directly and not including it in a check written out to me. He won't respond nor answer my calls . Such a scam
Not so dumb 44
April 13, 2018
I have a check on it's way from pickle juice. Should I take it to the police first?
Supt Secty
April 16, 2018
Someone is attempting to pay for car wrapping services via checks from our school district in California. Please do not cash. The resources we have used to stop this scam is stealing money from our kids!
Acman1977
April 17, 2018
Got one from Budweiser supposedly sent email to them saying that once it officially clears then I will send to wrap people. My bank is holding the check in a special account to see if it does clear and while the investigate how legitimate things are. If it turns out no good I don’t have to worry about it costing me anything except some time
ccGodfearing
April 18, 2018
I just got this in the mail with a check for $995. It is an offer to pay for wrapping my car in the Budweiser logo. I called someone to check on what I would have to do about the taxes, being an honest person. They looked it up on the computer and found out it is a scam. Budweiser does not EVER pay private citizens to advertise for them. Please beware when you receive offers that seem to be too good to be true. They almost always are.
taymya218.as
April 19, 2018

I got one from Dr pepper. To wrap my car $500. Weekly. They sent$2,39.00.I deposited thought it was good, they put a whole on the check. Then they return the check I had to pay $12. Return fee. Wish I had read all of y'all messages first, I know better next time.

Bamagirl
February 25, 2020

In reply to by taymya218.as

No big companies will pay you to shrink wrap your car they will pay the vendors themselves but also they employ private citizens to drive cars with decals. The company itself is not going to just hire anybody to drive cars with their logos.
Retired
August 18, 2020

In reply to by taymya218.as

I received a cashiers check today via Federal Express for $2000.00+ I was sent a page (no letterhead) to text a # when I received it and let them know! I then received a phone call from a man (heavy accent) asking who I bank with! I just read your post and am scared to do anything with this!! Should I report it? What should I do!
Sonofabiscuitl…
September 22, 2020

In reply to by taymya218.as

I'm waiting for a check from Dr. Pepper. Really don't know what to do. I read a lot of stories on here and it's said how people want to scam others for a buck. SO SAD!!!
Needthismoney
April 24, 2018
I received my check today.. Olympic Steel.. corporate headquarters 5096 Richmond road Bedford Heights OH 44146..going to take it to my bank tomorrow and find out if it is a legitimate check or a scam.. I am suppose to email back and let them know when I deposit the check.. I am not letting them know until it clears .. my bank will know if it's a real check within minutes
Bettylounewman
May 03, 2018
Received text message than Chechen in the mail, knew this was a scam,but if I didn’t know better ,I could have lost a lot of money. Called Dr Pepper corporate to report so,ethimg they already knew , have reported to federal trade commission
tvaddict1
May 13, 2018
It is happening to me now. Who do I contact?
kattie1216
April 03, 2020

In reply to by tvaddict1

I was looking online for a job working from home.I received a msg from Kellogg's wrap manager Benard James.offering 500.00 wk. to decal my car.I received a letter and 2,950.00 check.Letter telling to deposit.and text or email after deposit was made and send copy of deposit slip.I haven't deposit praise the Lord.My husband and I are senior's something in my heart told me it was a scam.Thank all of ya'll for sharing. God is good all the time.Be safe.
Tina
May 25, 2018
I got the same one but for monster energy and I called monster energy and they said it was a SCAM
Gailse
May 16, 2018
I have had something like this happen to me but a little different . I got 2 priority envelopes in the mail containing 2 money orders from the post office in each envolope containing money orders for $985. That was 4 of them! I took them to my post Office and the post master told me they were fake! Now this week I’m waiting on another check from Miller beer! I will take this check to my friend out here he is a cop and show him and give it to him! These guys are relentless on these scams! Be careful everyone
sspp
May 17, 2018
Just got an unsolicited check from Association of Old Crows as a result of a text offer for a "Mountain Dew" car wrap. The priority envelope was from New Jersey Mfg. Co. When I asked to take me off their call list, they promptly sent me a "fake" cashiers check for $1,950 and asked me to deposit it..no way. Reported to the bank it was issued from and to the FTC. What a scam!
Pay2big
May 21, 2018
Tom fuller sent me one today
jiddy aa
May 27, 2018
I just got a scam message from Budweiser. We checked it out and it is a scam! It was for a car wrap.....DON't fall for it!
Cmatsmi
May 28, 2018
I got the same message and went a head and sent my po box and email. I figured id better research before it goes any further. After finding out its a scam they sent me an email stating the check is on its way. Im not going to try and cash it. I figured i would take the check and emails to the police department and let them have it. I knew it was to good to be true. But that extra money would have been nice. Lol. Good luck to everyone.
Vista Smishta
May 29, 2018
I received a $1500 check today from a Lewis Brown who claims he works for vista print and he urged me to cash the check as well. I will make my report to the bank but who else do i notify?
Aesco
May 30, 2018
I'm in the situation right now.. The dude Jake From Tropicana Orange Juice is sending text messages I ask why not a email or a call totally blew off the question.. I told him send the check u ain't getting nothing back
Sal
May 30, 2018
I was asked to do the car wrap thing - they claimed it was for Cricket Wireless. Having read the comments, I am glad I did not do it and get scammed!
Here's is the …
June 02, 2018
Luckily i read all this comments the day I received the envelope with the check and I responded to contact number 916-905-4018 by message that I have sold my car and i had no vehicle to drive, and that i would be returning the envelope to sender immediately. So someone called Teena Meena responds telling me that I can put a decal on a jacket and wear it twice a week or put decal on a bike. So I respond It's summer I don't wear a jacket and that I don't own a bike.
Here's is the …
June 02, 2018
From a car wrap went down to small decal that i could put anywhere, and I would still be paid 500 a week. I'm going to approach Apple, Facebook or Google and see if they have any of their decals that i can put on my car for 500 a week. HaHaHa I have room for 100 of them!!!!! BE CAREFULL Everyone.
Here's is the …
June 02, 2018
I got an idea: Once i receive the envelope I'll take it to the Police Department and see if they can pick up any finger prints out of the check. I'll find out how interested is my Police in fighting crime.
heidi
June 02, 2018
I got a text today saying Dr Pepper would pay $400. A week to place a sticker on my car. Promoting their new soft drink. I knew enough to Google this and see if it was legit which, I already had asuspicion it wasn't.
Kross
February 25, 2020

In reply to by heidi

I just got the Dr Pepper one. A check for $3480 and supposedly pays $400 a week to place the ad on our vehicle. It’s called (on the check) Cambridge Investment Research, Fairfield, Iowa. The check is by Pershing (A BNY MELLON COMPANY) One Pershing Plaza, NJ 07399 BNY MELLON TRUST OF DELAWARE
CariAnn5
June 05, 2018
I got a text message from Rockstar and I got the check today and the guy kept insisting to put it in and it'll go thru. I just have to pay the detail guys after the check clears. I just told sent the guy a message told him I'm not depositing the check and gave him the link for this article lol
stephan55
June 10, 2018
I have the same scam going on right now he screwed I told him no money until the check clears his bank and he been bugging me ever sence
Ruby red cranberry
June 24, 2018
Cranberry juice ad is a scam also.
JJ
January 12, 2020

In reply to by gullible

Same thing fed x - check and car wrap Christian Douglas 331-214-3365 is this scam or for real????????
Texokie
May 17, 2020

In reply to by JJ

I got one from Christian Douglas also for $4987.65, for Capri Sun. It came from a notary public in Lacombe, LA.
Don'taskmeagain
July 01, 2020

In reply to by JJ

I got a check from Christian Douglas also, was about to go cash it to catch up on my bills doing this COVID-19. But when it said deposit it and it was more than was said. $4,987.65 I decided to check it out.
Frito laid
June 28, 2018
Just got one from Frito lay saying they were sending me a check to get the truck wrapped.
KCSTLMO
June 28, 2018
06/28/2018 my niece sent text inquiring about "Minute Maid" car wrap. then few days later recd cashiers check drawn on PNC Illinois bank for $3,948.51 the remitter Terrance Evans. Evidently they watch the usps tracking because right after she got mail she got text saying deposit check keep an amount for herself the rest for auto detailer she texted them & asked for company name no reply except "minute maid" SCAM SCAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TJ72
June 28, 2018
Received a text message about Dr Pepper car wrap. I passed the information on to my hubby. He filled out the application and they sent him a check for $2900.00 he was to keep $500.00 and send a copy of the deposit slip. I said that I wanted to talk to the police dept about it before we did anything further.