A scam story: Secret shopping and fake checks

I received this message via text. Is it real or scam Greetings, this is Roldan Walton in reference to your Walmart survey submitted application, here is a notification that you have been selected and your application as been approved. Your first assignment instruction letter, as well as payment will be sent to your registered address and you should receive it this week via USPS. Please keep an eyes on your mailbox. Kind regards, Roldan Walton

Today in the mail, I received two $975 checks/money orders from someone...YES SOMEONE sending instructions, asking me to participate in a secret shoppers survey. I want to say it was a female because "ASHLEY HIN" signed off on both checks. She asked me to "TEXT" her immediately upon receiving the checks in the mail. This is the number is 972-904-1209 as instructed by this scammer. I Googled the credit union (Y-12 Credit Union at 501 Lafayette Drive Oak Ridge, TN 37831,(865) 482-1043) that was printed on the checks and gave them a call. The teller asked me to give her the check numbers and behold, it was not checks/money orders from them. The teller stated that she gets several calls a year about this and it's a fraud. I strongly suggest that anyone who receives a secret shoppers survey in the mail to immediately do some research. Don't just quit at the number, go on to look up the bank and ask questions. This will save you not only money that you will have to pay back to your bank but also the headache of being reported to your bank's check systems and not to mention the BIG drop in your credit score. I hope this helps.

Just received a check for $2350 at my door today. ( not the mailbox) with instructions to deposit then go to Walmart and purchase a visa gift card total of $1000 Then go to another walmart in area and purchase two cards one for $400, the other for $500. Then take pic and info and text or email to # given. The rest of $ was mine. Hmm. Nothing is free and people scam people like me that really need $. I tore check up and threw away.

Think about it. Who would send you $2500 and ask you to do a job when most people would just want to keep the money. I have gotten four of these checks in the last three months from Survey Monkey, Apple, Best Mark and Mystery Shopper, the last one from from Rickwalter456 @ I could have a nice chunk of change by now if it were legit. I have reported some to FTC.com but I think the best bet is to unsubscribe from the email. It is a shame how scammers harass innocent people

This just happened to me and I fell for it. Was recruited through my University of Denver email, by someone I thought was a research student. Invictus Research Assessment. Received a cashier's check for 2350 and was told to purchase 2000 in gift cards from Best Buy. The cashiers check cleared my bank initially, then was reversed due to fraud. The gift cards I bought were wiped. I am in marketing and have used secret shoppers for research. I should have known better. Feeling stupid and angry. Not sure what to do now other than report this to my University, Best Buy and my bank. I am out 2000 dollars, which I can recover over time. I feel sick that it happened to me and sick for the people whose stories I have read.

I was taken by a hack to a Walgreens web site. I was renewing a script and this thing popped up. Looked legit ( so I thought) and I was taken for $1500.00. Two days later they sent me two more checks to do it again. I finally woke up and went to the police. The first check bounced hours before I cashed the second. Just don't do it until you verify the store is question has such a program at the very least.

Today I was contacted by someone interested in one article posted in Craiglist. He would arrange pickup through text, so I gave him my cell #. He offered to mail an overnight check with additional $50 for the hold, and enough funds for the movers. I asked if he could pay the movers and pay me with PayPal. He said only checks, and that movers accept checks over $3,000. So I agreed. But I was nervous. He also instructed me to delete the posting and let him know ASAP. It was really weird. I discussed with friends, and they alerted me about the scammers. I texted “Bill” at +1 (929) 229-1844, asking him not to send the check . I didn’t hear from him again.

Is travisbarclay.craigbit@ a scam? They’re Sending out a check saying deposit in your bank but then go to Best Buy , CVS or Wal-Mart spend $40 on a gift card, deduct $400 then go to the register add $2000 to the card, the peel off the back label, take a photo of the card and email with your report, and don’t disregard it, it will be use for your forth coming assignment

Is Saleshub USA by Michael Luna a scam if not they are not paying for the work. the company send you packages you shipped via fedx or ups they set up a profile and you uses that profile system to log into when you receive a package and also when you shipped item sent each shipped item is $45 per package per there contract they also have the amount you will receive on pay day however when payday come packages stop coming and they no longer receive message from them neither you can login to the system anymore. What can be done about this company we still haven’t been paid.

I received this cashiers check today! I had recently looked at a website for doing secret shopper. I have been awake all night conflicted about this and feeling it was a scam. So glad I came and read these comments! This is just pathetic that people scam others this way.

I just received a message from someone pretending to be Steve Carter Via Linkedin to be a secret shopper or a Whole Food Market Store Evaluator. I was sent a letter in the mail. I didn't know where this was coming from but I realized I was looking for side jobs. I was sent a confirmation text asking me to confirm that I go a check for a few thousand. I thought it was very strange so I decided to look up scams and sure enough, it was a Scam instructing me to deposit this check into my account and once I've done the task I can take $450.00 for my work.

I was recently contacted by Geek Squad to ask if I'd like a refund for a subscription to an extended warranty plan I couldn't recall buying with my laptop. They said it was auto coverage I needed to cancel to prevent begin charged for and I didn't. In order to get my refund I was expected to buy a $500 Walmart gift card THAT day. Then I was to call him back and provide the scratch code off the back of the card herby giving him the access necessary to that add my $500 refund to the card. When I refused to participate in this scam he became agitated and abusive but it didn't allow him down at all. He made many more attempts via email & text messaging to reel me in. Besides filling out forms online that I don't believe anyone actually reads, what recourse do consumers have to stop this?

The fraud checks your bank account is closed and you.have a time.opening a new account when you.find a bank.that let.you.open.an account maybe?

This is still happening today just received the check and assignment in the mail. Something just didn't feel right about this so glad I decided to goggle the so called company name and saw this website. They try to get you to hurry up and deposit the check and purchase the gift cards by offering a bonus if you do it in 24hrs don't fall for it.

I received a check from Clarion Research Inc. for Best Buy Gift Card purchase. My portion was supposed to be $300 plus $150 Bonus! The check was for $1840.00 I called a couple of CitiBank #'s and finally got 888-556-5142 to verify check, which they could not! I wish this site offered the ability to post pictures of the checks and correspondence so people could see what they look like.

I got the same thing...check...cash it..get gift cards...send them back..the routing number on the check was not valid......tried to send copies to the TFC, but couldn't figure out how to....

Where do you report this?, I got one on the hook, texting back and forth, still waiting for me to deposit the check

I just got check for $2466 n texted 317-863-9738 from Anthony Mancini. I was told to deposit check then buy 4 vanilla gift cards from 1 of 5 stores at $500 per card. Send them copy front n back of gift card with receipt n description of store visits. I was to keep $400 a my pay. I made a copy of the check n noticed on the copy "void" is written all over n this "fake check" but you cannot see it at all on the original!!!! Check written on Liberty Bank out of CA. It was sent Priority Mail. I really started to research n found this website n tore the check up. I texted Anthony n told him "scammer". Who can I report this to? I thank Jesus I found this website. Thank everyone for the information.

I received a check for 2450.00 to be a secret shopper, cashier check which looked legit. I got a text to confirm. and instructions on how to do first assignment. go to Walmart , target cvs , and purchase 1050.00 in eBay cards. then to another store for up to 1000.00 ,keep 400.00 for myself. take pictures of activate card along with gift receipt . its a scam, . didn't do anything except report it .

Cashiers Check from Arthur State Bank for $2408.02. Specific instructions to find a store that sells ebay gift cards. Purchase $2100.00 worth then keep $308.00 for compensation. If done today when check was received an addt'l $200.00 will be in the "next" survey assignment. Remitter is Barbara Johnson and sig is a Mark Hart.

Just a few days ago I was contacted via a text link. Watch out for a Whole Foods secret shopper scam. Survey Emporium is the company listed.

I just received a check for $2600. It was for secret shopper for Walmart. I called BancorpSouth and the check was no good. People, if you receive an offer like this, call the bank the check is drawn from. They are more than willing to assist you and will thank you for your due diligence!

Company called Mystery Shopping Customer Metrics - same thing a check from Alta One for $2,340.00 to purchase Best Buy Gift Cards. Persons name is Andrew Martinez - these are the phone numbers I have received text messages from - 1-559-715-4679, 1-508-689-5610, 1-870-221-3686. This is the email address: Andrew Martinez

I just got am email saying their is a task in my area that I could receive up to 800 for the task, all I need to do is fill out my name address and phone number, I didn't cause I believe it is a scam.

I also received a check in amount of $2,250.00. The first thing I did was look for the credit union named on the check,I then looked for the branch wrote on the check.Guess what; there's no branch in the town it supposedly came from! I also called Spire Credit union, they agreed with me; it's fake! It came by Fed-EX from Insight Global another tech company,I also looked at anonymous posts from employees, around the 4th comment was a person that texted me,they have terrible grammar too! I want someone to help me take them DOWN! No, I didn't deposit it,because I'm a very suspicious person, although I could've used the extra money! The F.T.C. needs to do their jobs and bust all the scammers, TRUST NO ONE!!

So I too fell for this, but I never cashed the check because I was not sure. I signed up through an ad on Craigslist (they need to take these down when they αre posted!) and received an $1850 check in the mail from a legit title land company and legit bank. However, the return address o. The envelope was different from anything on the check. It came from LA, CA and the bank and business were in IL. I didn’t deposit it. I then receive this email below. Please don’t fall do these frauds! From: Karen a pro-surveys@ Payment Greetings, Confirm receiving your assignment check in mail. Proceed to have your assignment completed and email us feedback report along with the requested images to enable us file your report as soon as possible. The evaluation can be done at any nearby Walmart Stores, CVS/pharmacy, Walgreens, 7 Eleven, Best Buy, Dollar General, or any other store where American Express Gift Cards, Walmart Gift Cards, Vanilla Visa Gift Cards or Best Buy Gift Cards are available. AFTER PURCHASE OF CARDS AMERICAN EXPRESS GIFT CARDS, WALMART VISA GIFT CARD & VANILLA VISA GIFT CARDS Open the pack, remove the label in front of the cards and capture clear image of front and back of each card and email to us along with Page 3 of this document. (Phone camera accepted). BEST BUY GIFT CARD Open the pack, scratch off label to reveal code at the back of the cards and capture clear image of front and back of each card and email to us along with Page 3 of this document. (Phone camera accepted) Thank you, Karen They then attached a PDF that looked legit with I instructions and with store logos that I could go to.

So if I deposit the check and never use it it’ll be as if it never happened. Right?

What to do if u already deposited the money

Common everyone, in what world, does anybody send you money, and you can keep it all with no obligation or contractual signing??? I just received 2408.02 and it was a cashier check from BBVA Compass Bank... Along with the "fake" check was a poorly copied instruction page titled, ADVENT SERVICES. So, I went to my local grocery store, picked up a few Visa cards, not filling them of course and, tied these monkeys up for three days. I sent them pictures of the front of the card only. Emails from them every ten minutes, threats from the "FBI" to arrest me, it was comical. DO NOT FALL FOR THIS SCAM. if you cash the check, you'll owe the money to the bank, period.

In the last six months I received three checks. 2500.00 1850.00 1822.00 I can tell by the checks that they were not real the first thing I did was go to the bank. I also called the bank that was on the second check. This last check actually looks like a real check with the check number in the right place so I will soon see.

I just received a priority mail package that included a check for $2,897.78 asking me to be a Mystery Shopper and deposit the check. My first assignment would be to evaluate my local Apple Store. They instructed me to purchase 2 Apple store gift cards and 1 iTunes gift card for a total of $2,540, with $350 to keep as my "salary”, and the remaining $7.78 is a “LEFT OVER”!! Similar, to previous commenters here, I should wait for further instructions after I purchase the gift cards. Be careful not to fall for this Mystery Shopper scam! The number I am supposed to text is (754) 703-6573. Then, my second task would be to go again to the same Apple store and shop with the gift cards I got the previous day, fill an assessment for rating the service I received and store appearance. Moreover, to reassure me, in the instructions’ letter, they added in bold letters “not to send/wire money to anyone else nor mail any purchased merchandise to anyone. All purchased merchandise will be PICKED UP BY OUR VERIFIED AGENT AT THE APPLE STORE after you complete your second task“. Nice touch!

Got text yesterday stating that a check a letter with instructions had been mailed to me. I just got a letter and a check for 3,488.00 out the mailbox. Got so excited until I thought, let me google this company. And to my surprise it’s a scam. I praise God for wisdom and for being a former IRS employee. That check definitely won’t make to my bank. Thanks for all the other comments. I’m waiting for them to call me back. The name one text is Myers Brice. The check is from Altaone Federal Credit Union. Signed by Courtney Kent

I just got a cashiers check for 2600. From Beach community Bank out of florida. They wanted me to secret shop two Walmarts get two gifts cards from each of them for five hundred each. Scratch off the back take picks and text them to 424 294 8245. Really glad I googled it Goes to show if it s to good to be true it's not real

They tried this on me today. There was no way in this world I was going to put the check in my account. I can sure see how someone could get sucked in

Thank you for this post! Replied to a post my husband saw on Linkedin, and they texted me. A month later got another text saying they were sorry but they were very busy last month and I'd be contacted soon. Very bad grammar made me suspect. Today got priority mail from Triconstar Inc. 2008 Washington Street, San Fran., 94109 with check for $2950 with instructions to buy $2500 in Nike gift cards, send them the numbers, etc. So thankful you posted this so I didn't get tricked!

Received a random text msg about becoming a walmart customer service evaluator for 400. Replied with address and a priority mail package arrived with instructions to purchase gift cards and a (I'm sure) fake cashiers check for $2,950. Check is from a First Horizon bank and a Jeff J Flemming as Corporate controller. Text number this came from was 2343017912. Hope this helps