Updated: 5:51 PM Feb 16, 2012
Some scammers are trying to take advantage of those Stateliners looking to make a quick buck--you asked us about it on Facebook and we investigated.
Posted: 4:20 PM Feb 16, 2012
Article from wifr
ROCKFORD (WIFR) -- Some scammers are trying to take advantage of those Stateliners looking to make a quick buck--you asked us about it on Facebook and we investigated.
It turns out some ads for "Secret Shoppers Jobs" aren't all that they seem. The Better Business Bureau tells us some Stateliners are getting a money orders to go shopping at a particular store, but when they try to cash the check it bounces and the consumer is held liable. That's why the BBB says it's better to be safe than sorry
Dennis Horton from the BBB said, “It is always a red flag when you receive in the mail an unsolicited check or call from someone who's willing to send you an unsolicited check for you to go to work for them.”
We’d like to give a special thanks to Angie who brought this story to our attention. If there's something you want to see covered, just become a fan of WIFR-TV on Facebook. Then log on for The Pulse every weekday at ten and two to weigh in and share your ideas.
One Victim's Story
This started about a couple of years ago I applied online for a mystery shoppers position and was told no positions were available at this time, but when one came available within my area they would contact me.
Well, around Christmas I received an email saying "mystery shoppers positions now available within your area" so I naturally thought it was the one I applied to before--so I answered the email. Then about a week later I received an email saying I have been accepted and I will be receiving a package in the mail when I receive this package take the contents to my bank and cash it then take my salary which was 200.00 for this one and then take the remainder to a Western Union and send the remainder to another mystery shopper and evaluate the Western Union employee--and don't forget to evaluate the surrounding also.
So I received the package and inside there were two money orders for $980.00 each. Well, I thought money orders had to be paid for in advance so they must be good. Tthe next day I took these money orders to my bank and they cashed them. Then went to Western Union and sent it to the next mystery shopper. Then back to my computer and sent an email with my survey of the Western Union employee and all the surroundings. The following Wednesday I received another package and another email So Thursday I'm doing the same thing except this time I have three money orders at $980.00 each and my salary was $300.00.
Then on Friday I received a call from my bank saying that all five of those money orders came back as counterfeit--now I need to come into the bank and make arrangements to repay this money back which was $4900.00.
At this time I'm sick to my stomach. So I called the police which they made an report I contacted consumer fraud I've talked to the FBI and there maybe a chance but very thin chance that these people will ever get caught. So now I have a loan through my bank just to get this cleared up. The same Friday that the bank called me I received three more packages in the mail--one sent by UPS, one sent by FedEx and, one sent by the USPS--totaling eight money orders inside equalling 7870.00.
I'm glad the bank called when they did.
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Tips to Avoid Scams:
Dennis Horton from the BBB says,
Be vigilant about choosing who you work with--there are legitimate secret shopper programs out there. However, if they offer payment up front or ask you to put up your own money it is likely a scam.
This type of scam pops up more frequently when unemployment is up.
Viewer Karina says,
You should go through a legitimate application process when applying for a secret shopper job. You shouldn't be giving them your money.
Also, check out the employer on the BBB.org website.
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