Victim Location 53110
Type of a scam Fake Check/Money Order
I received an email suggesting an opportunity to become a "secret shopper" for Kroger and/or Walmart. I provided the requested information in a reply.
I then received via USPS Priority Mail 2-day a single sheet of paper with detailed instructions on both sides and a cashier’s check for $2,850.
I was to deposit the check into a personal account and forward $1.200 to two individuals in Natchez, MS (the same city as the sender of the letter) via Western Union and Walmart2Walmart, collect a lot of information in the process/transaction and email it to the sender of the letter. The instructions also specified how the remainder of the funds were to be used, including $50 for the payment of the transfer of the funds to the individuals, $100 to do secret shopping at Kroger or Walmart, and retain $300 as a "salary." (The first page of these instruction has been attached. Images of the other side of the instructions page, the cashier’s check, and the envelope are available if desired.)
I did not deposit the check or respond to the sender in any way until today.
Calling the Wisconsin BBB provided no direct information on this scam but I was provided with phone numbers and other contact information for the corporate offices of Kroger, Walmart, as well as the US Postal Service Inspector General, and the Federal Trade Commission. (Formal complaints have been filled with the USPS and FTC)
Calling the Kroger number provided me with the information that at least they were aware of the scam and told me I should do nothing. I haven’t. My call to Walmart reinforced the invalidity of the scam when they clearly stated they did not have any "secret shopper" program, nor did the contract with anyone to do that sort of thing for them.
I was disappointed that the BBB did not appear to be aware of this spam/scam and hope that this filing will remedy that.