Consumer Alert
Scammers need a good story to get to your wallet. Once they find one that works, they use it again and again. One of their old favorites brings together fake checks and secret shopping, and we’ve been hearing a lot about it lately.
Here’s how it starts. You get a check in the mail with a job offer as a secret shopper. You deposit the check and see the funds in your account a few days later, and the bank even tells you the check has cleared.
Now you’re off to the store you’ve been asked to shop at and report back on, often a Walmart. Your first assignment is to test the in-store money transfer service, like Western Union or MoneyGram, by sending some of the money you deposited. Or you might be told to use the money to buy reloadable cards or gift cards, such as iTunes cards. You’re instructed to send pictures of the cards or to give the numbers on the cards.
Fast forward days or weeks to the unhappy ending. The bank finds out the check you deposited is a fake, which means you’re on the hook for all that money. How does that even happen? Well, banks must make funds from deposited checks available within days, but uncovering a fake check can take weeks. By the time you try to get the money back from the money transfer service, the scammers are long gone, and they’ve taken all the money off the gift cards, too. (By the way, money orders and cashier’s checks can be faked, too.)
The moral of the story? If anyone ever asks you to deposit a check and then wire or send money in any way, you can bet it’s a scam. No matter what they tell you.
Want to avoid the latest rip-offs? Sign up for free scam alerts from the FTC at FTC.gov/Scams.
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2,010 Comments
May 17, 2018
I recently received a check for over $2600 check/secret shopper. I did not do anything with the check. The bank in Washington State
May 18, 2018
In reply to I recently received a check by jkatz5303 (not verified)
I received a check from a bank in Texas. I didn't do anything with the check either. The only way I would have considered cashing the check is if the bank that the check was written on was in my area and I could cash the check at that bank
May 22, 2018
In reply to I received a check from a by Lucy (not verified)
Even is it is a local bank, it may still be a fake check. Often banks in one State own banks in other States. If anyone sends you money out of the blue and asks you to send MoneyGrams, it is a scam!
October 11, 2019
In reply to I received a check from a by Lucy (not verified)
I just received a $4600 check and they asked to deposit to my account and Text a James Smith (707)653-3012 confirming that I deposited the check into my checking account. Then withdraw $4000 cash and go to a local Walmart or two and purchase 8 Walmart Gift cards. Then exit store and scratch off gift card backs and take pictures of all individual gift card backs and receipt and send pictures through text to James Smith.
I will be sending all info to fraud department.
October 26, 2019
In reply to I just received a $4600 check by RRTorres1951 (not verified)
Omg, I just fell for this!!!! Please someone tell me what to do!!!! I’m unemployed and wanted to make extra money!! Please someone help me!
November 14, 2019
In reply to Omg, I just fell for this!!!! by Dumb me (not verified)
I just got taken as well. Please share any info you have learned.
November 15, 2019
In reply to I just got taken as well. by Thomas (not verified)
Hey Thomas,
This just happened to me today. I did NOT touch the money. Left it in my account and when the check was returned from Fulton Bank(on the fake cashiers check) my bank was able to take the money back right away.
February 18, 2020
In reply to Hey Thomas, by DON'T FALL FOR… (not verified)
Thank you for sharing this story! I just received a check for 2,350.00. I deposited the check and had a terrible feeling. I reported it to the FTC and will be calling the bank in the morning to notify them. So, in your experience since you didn’t touch the money the bank wasn’t owed. Did the scammers continue to communicate with you?
April 11, 2020
In reply to Thank you for sharing this by Gretch11 (not verified)
I just received a check with the amount of $2600.... I have received this kind of mail before so I am going to have some fun with them... lol I am texting with them now, I have received an address so I am going to send them a letter and that the Feds have been contacted.. They have been blowing up my phone all morning about when am I going to FedEx to send the blank money orders totalling $2000.... they will be waiting for it
December 16, 2020
In reply to I just received a check with by YoYo 76 (not verified)
This is still going on. I just received my check for $3450.00, via FedEx overnight.
I was shopping on Walmarts official site a few days ago and asked if I would like to be a shopper, I agreed. I was told I would receive $350.00. my instructions are to buy 2 iphone Maxi Phones with 512 GB. The check is a cashier's check out of Pasadena, CA but the company who sent the check was Marsh Electronics Inc from Greenville, WI. They asked to go to Walmart or Apple store. Company phone number is 920-757-0808. Texting was to a person named Jonathan number is 347-343-3468. I wish I could post pics of all documents. I hope this helps somebody not get scammed. Its dispicable people are doing this during these times.
December 31, 2020
In reply to This is still going on. I by JM (not verified)
It is so heartless what these criminals are doing to scam people during this critical time. I received a friendly message from a known contact on linked Inc. She stated that she has signed up for over 5 months now and making extra cash. The link was attached. The message was very convincing and knowing that this friend is always telling me about new initiatives, I immediately signed up with the intention of reaching out to her.
I contacted my friend bright and early the next day and she said that many of her contacts have been calling her and that she has no affiliation with this company. Her linked Inc account was hacked.
The offer was too good to be true so I had my own suspicion. $1500 base salary each month and $350 commission for each assignment. Hmm.. definitely something wrong. Whether you work or not you still get $1500. Crazy..
I decided to go along with the scam to see where it would go.. I got an email stating my check of $1870.30 has been sent priority mail. Attached to the email was the assignment. To deposit check immediately and it will clear within 24-48 hrs. Then to proceed to purchase some gift cards and then to send it to them by way of taking pics.
I emailed Kim and told her that she is evil, her acts are cruel and to refrain from communicating with me etc. I further stated that I have reported her to the authorities. I plan to take package to the police upon receiving it.
Please be aware people.. these scammers use known people to send you the invite. Don’t get caught up. No company is giving away free money.. time is hard financially for many during this pandemic but don’t be tempted. You will end up losing more and also getting black listed by banks, which prevents you from opening accounts.
Please share with friends and familys. Don’t be a sucker for this evil plot.
July 26, 2021
In reply to This is still going on. I by JM (not verified)
Wow I just got the same letter from the same person for the same thing!! I haven’t done anything yet I was wondering how truthful it was. Glad I found this website!
July 20, 2021
In reply to I just received a check with by YoYo 76 (not verified)
What number did you use for the feds
May 03, 2020
In reply to Thank you for sharing this by Gretch11 (not verified)
I just receive one and deposit it. Oh lord I hope it's not fake.
June 28, 2020
In reply to I just receive one and by Sisipp37 (not verified)
YES IT IS A FAKE CHECK.
August 02, 2020
In reply to I just receive one and by Sisipp37 (not verified)
I got a check in the mail 2 days ago from a mystery shopping company. The check is for $2,475.00. The check was sent to me from KELTON Research, Survey, and signed by Timothy Castagne. The instruction is for me to cash the check, take $400.00 for my services, and $75.00 for transportation. That I should use the $4000.00 to purchase gift cards from Walmart and CVS, each card costing $500.00. I should make copies of the front and back of the cards and the receipt and send to them along with the cards. I deposited the check yesterday and part of it cleared within 24 hrs. My surprise is that I have received several texts from the Kelton research survey asking me if the check has cashed. I got upset and am now at google search to see if this is a scam. Please what shall I do?
August 11, 2020
In reply to I got a check in the mail 2 by Bo (not verified)
I received the check today and they hassled me about checking my mail, I told them I have a full time job of a software developer and I would check it when I can. They replied Okay. Later I replied yes it has been received. I sent them a question for I was not going to deposit it until I heard back. They answered and asked did you deposit the check. I said no I was waiting on your response, I will do so now. They asked who I bank with I told them and they replied back my check will clear in 1 day, when they said that I got worried and started looking on line about this being a scam. I already reported them to the feds and contacted my bank that the check is fraudulent
November 01, 2020
In reply to I got a check in the mail 2 by Bo (not verified)
i rec'd a check to do mystery shop this is a scam correct?
March 18, 2021
In reply to I just receive one and by Sisipp37 (not verified)
Seriously. Don't spend the money
October 12, 2021
In reply to Seriously. Don't spend the by Don't use (not verified)
Just received a check for $2600.00. Found it odd for several reasons. 1. No real contact information, nor was there a real website for the company. A few clicks and I ended up here.
2. They want you to put this check in your bank account and then immediately spend it and send them the card information. It immediately gave me red flags.
3. The instruction sheet looked very unprofessional, cheap copy paper and clearly a printer that was running out of ink!
Of course I was curious, and who couldn't use extra money....My car is going in the shop this weekend which is a $800 bill so I would have loved to have the extra money, but I knew it was a scam. Good luck everyone. My check is going in the shredder!
May 12, 2020
In reply to Thank you for sharing this by Gretch11 (not verified)
Oh my God! Got Th we check and deposited it. But I said I will not touch it until it is cleared should I contact my bank about it?
November 24, 2020
In reply to Oh my God! Got Th we check by Lily (not verified)
Yes, notify the bank immediately. Keep copies of everything.
July 12, 2020
In reply to Thank you for sharing this by Gretch11 (not verified)
They won’t once you confront them. They usually will have the fake phone number deleted from whatever app their using. I lost my account with Wells Fargo that I had for 15 years because of these assholes.
July 30, 2020
In reply to They won’t once you confront by SunlitUnicorn78 (not verified)
I lost my bank account too because of this jerks
November 29, 2020
In reply to Thank you for sharing this by Gretch11 (not verified)
Wow I just recieved a check Friday thank God I did not deposit the check into my bank acct..I took it to a currency exchange and tried to cash it to find out the check was fake..I am so glad they didn't call the police on me..wow! I usually don't fall for scams but this one got pass me..i will be paying more attention to detail from here on out..
November 19, 2019
In reply to I just got taken as well. by Thomas (not verified)
I'm going to throw up, I got scammed as well. What do I do?
December 07, 2019
In reply to I'm going to throw up, I got by DandereEve (not verified)
I also just did this and I am a broke college kid who was just trying to pay my health insurance.. stupid me
October 26, 2020
In reply to I also just did this and I am by AJ (not verified)
What happened in the end ? What happens if u cash it and do the job? So noone has went by instructions it gives? I applied for a secret shopper job and got this in the mail by FedEx....is it real or not?
November 23, 2020
In reply to What happened in the end ? by Blawndee81 (not verified)
It is a scam read above the check initially clears because the bank has to it's looked at further one or two weeks later and finds it fraud all that money is now on you. DONT DO IT
November 28, 2020
In reply to I also just did this and I am by AJ (not verified)
Did you get it cleared up I’m going through the same thing
January 21, 2020
In reply to I just got taken as well. by Thomas (not verified)
I just received a check for 2600, was told to deposit the check and then in 24 hours it would be good. Then keep 600, then go to Walmart and buy something personal for me and then get 2 Walmart cards and send them to them via pictures. Figured out was a scam, glad to know. They don't have my acct number or anything. Came through USPS. Glad I checked it out and then contacted my lawyer.
February 03, 2020
In reply to I just received a check for by Cardio 20 (not verified)
Did your attorney say to turn it in - to the police/is there an open investigation? I just got one Saturday
July 29, 2020
In reply to Did your attorney say to turn by Lmt (not verified)
I just received letter and ck. My sis referred me this website
and saved me the anguish. To tear and throw away. Me in Bulverde
May 08, 2020
In reply to I just received a check for by Cardio 20 (not verified)
I received a 2400 dollar check last week from fedex i think i actually threw it away and text the guy due to coronavirus and I'm high risk i wouldn't be participating no response ever.
November 21, 2019
In reply to Omg, I just fell for this!!!! by Dumb me (not verified)
I think all you can do is report it.
May 04, 2020
In reply to I think all you can do is by Jswim77 (not verified)
How do I do that? And to who?
June 23, 2020
In reply to How do I do that? And to who? by amberrose (not verified)
I have a friend that works for Walmart Security I turned it over to them
December 07, 2019
In reply to Omg, I just fell for this!!!! by Dumb me (not verified)
Yip - Fernando texted me!!!!! I half knew it was a scam and googled it and here we are!!!!!!!!!!!! Never ever trust anyone who is offering to give you money!!!!! The world is evil - remember that!!!!!!!!!! Always be alert!!!!!!! NO ONE IS EVER GOING TO GIVE YOU MONEY EVER!!!!!!
December 25, 2019
In reply to Yip - Fernando texted me!!!!! by Snoop Dawg (not verified)
I just got scammed back in September. Fell for first class mail with name, routing number and water mark including really good fake check. Bank of America contacted me not long after to say it was charged off and I owe balance of $2,240. It was such a good fake that the teller didn’t know the difference.
January 21, 2020
In reply to I just got scammed back in by scammedguychicqgo (not verified)
And what happened next. How did you handle the situation? I just got scammed.
January 27, 2020
In reply to And what happened next. How by Ac (not verified)
Me too. Buy giftcards and we'll reimburse you after we get pictures of the display, receipt, cards, etc. $1000 before I Ran into a cashier who warned us about this scam. I feel so stupid!
May 09, 2020
In reply to Me too. Buy giftcards and we by Linda (not verified)
I was scammed 3600 dollars yesterday. I feel so freaking stupid. Since the virus Uve been out if job and I signed up fire secret shopper job. The check looked real, and the check was cleared and I was told by the guy "Alex" he'll fix it. I dont know what to do.
December 26, 2020
In reply to Me too. Buy giftcards and we by Linda (not verified)
Me too Linda, I feel stupid. I needed money to pay some bills.
January 06, 2020
In reply to Yip - Fernando texted me!!!!! by Snoop Dawg (not verified)
Never ever trust anyone who is offering you money to BUY A gift card, gift certificates, money orders. OK?
January 21, 2020
In reply to Yip - Fernando texted me!!!!! by Snoop Dawg (not verified)
I'm from tampa florida recieved a cashier's check for 3600 dollars and asked me to deposit and wanted me to buy gift cards and text him the codes. I didn't because the force told me not to.
April 16, 2020
In reply to I'm from tampa florida by Kirk (not verified)
I've just gotten a check for $2432.27.... What did you do? I live in Tampa too!
January 08, 2020
In reply to Omg, I just fell for this!!!! by Dumb me (not verified)
To all of you. Sorry but Truth never changes. IF ITS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE? IT IS! Except for Jesus of course.
March 25, 2020
In reply to To all of you. Sorry but by THINK (not verified)
Hallelujah!!!
March 31, 2020
In reply to Omg, I just fell for this!!!! by Dumb me (not verified)
They sent me the same thing. 4600 said I could have 5 and an extra 100 for gas. Wanted me tob7y gift cards. The nerve people has really blows my mind! Thank you for your story because I about did it.
May 18, 2020
In reply to Omg, I just fell for this!!!! by Dumb me (not verified)
The best you can hope for is the bank close your account and take your remaining deposits & hope they you off their hook if they can prove you've been defrauded by a scam artist.
It is happening to me as I write this. Not sure if I should give this scam check to the FTC or police.
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