Victim Location 32801
Type of a scam Employment
Contacted by a man named Dennis Scott to be a Secret Shopper. Would only communicate via text. Sent me a priority mail package with the return address label stated Aldis in Reading PA. Looks like the label was printed on a home computer and taped to the package. Postage paid through a site called easy post. Inside was a cashiers check for 2,350.00 from a first national bank Texas : first convenience bank dated 5/14/20. Instructions stated to cash the check and then choose 3 different Walmart’s to go and purchase gift cards worth 400$. You would be evaluating the performance of the employees. Then you were to scratch the gift cards and send pictures of the 16 digit code as well as the 4 digit pin. Before cashing the check I did some research to find out this is a fraud. If you cash the check it will bounce back as a fake. If you follow through and send the gift cards they now have the money from the cards and you’ll owe your bank money. I stopped responding to “Dennis.”
Victim Location 92780
Type of a scam Employment
I had started to apply online to become a Mystery Shopper, but at the end, I changed my mind due to not enough time to do it, really. About a week later, I received in the mail a Priority Mail letter with a check (see attached), when I arrived home after work. At 6:30am PDT I rec’d a text from the 862 number asking if I’d cashed the check yet. I just lost my husband, plus the bank wouldn’t be open until 9am, plus I won’t do anything else until the check clears, and I texted that back to the person. They said sorry for your loss, when you deposit it, send proof of the deposit slip. I went online to the ScamPulse.com site, but Posted Jobs Inc. wasn’t listed. I did see another link for complaints, and their were several other posts re: the exact same scam. I let the guy know I was on to them, and was going to report this, then I blocked the caller.
The document they sent is a photocopy, and not on a company letterhead. There are misspelled words and bad grammar as well. the check doesn’t have a watermark on the back, either, that I can see. The return address doesn’t state a company, nor does the check, it’s a credit union (OneAZ), listed in the upper left. All of these to me are red flags. The posts also had some who say they took the check to the bank only to find out that it’s counterfeit.
This company needs to be added to your list, since when I came on here to check into them, they were not listed.
Thank you!
Victim Location 46403
Type of a scam Fake Check/Money Order
I was looking for some free samples of certain items when I came across some info on mystery shopping. We ended up texting back and forth about the position. I few days later I received a check via Priority Mail for $2,950. I was instructed to keep $350 for my services but would have to cash the check and then go by 7 $200 Walmart gift cards at one location and then 6 more $200 gift cards at another Walmart. I would then fill out surveys about my experience. This smelled of a scam so I contacted the BBB who confirmed it was.