Consumer Alert
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 at ftc.gov/complaint — select Scams and Rip-offs, then Counterfeit Checks. Want to know more? Read our articles to learn how to spot variations on fake checks and money wiring scams.
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In reply to Hello London, my scammer said by WilliamNM
In reply to What can a person do if they by Baited
In reply to What can a person do if they by Baited
In reply to What can a person do if they by Baited
In reply to Got email form a Mark Jordan by DRT
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.
In reply to I got one from Dr pepper. To by taymya218.as
In reply to I got one from Dr pepper. To by taymya218.as
In reply to I received a cashiers check by Retired
In reply to I got one from Dr pepper. To by taymya218.as
In reply to It is happening to me now. by tvaddict1
In reply to I got a text today saying Dr by heidi
In reply to Cranberry juice ad is a scam by Ruby red cranberry
In reply to Yep. Watch for phone # 203 by gullible
In reply to Yep. Watch for phone # 203 by gullible
In reply to Same thing fed x - check and by JJ
In reply to Same thing fed x - check and by JJ