Getting paid to shop sounds like a dream job? Especially if you’re looking for a side hustle or part-time work. But imagine getting a letter and check in the mail with promises of an easy payday. Sounds a little too good to be true but the secret shopper scam is once again targeting North Texans.
NBC 5 responds explains what you should know before you cash that check.
North Texans Trey Letcher and John Waldowski both turned to NBC 5 Responds to help warn others about a familiar but convincing scam.
“I was not expecting anything at all in the mail,” said Letcher who lives in Plano.
Letcher received this check and letter promising a quick buck.
“There’s a check in the mail in the envelope that came priority mail for $1,950, and to take $400 dollars out of this check for my services and use the rest of the money to purchase gift cards,” Letcher said.
He said it didn’t sound right.
“I’ve fallen for one of these in the past, and what ends up happening is that money that’s deposited into a bank suddenly that accounts frozen,” said Letcher.
How it works:
The scammers want you to deposit their check. It looks real and the money may even show up in your checking account. Then they want you to go out and buy gift cards and then text or send photos of the gift cards showing numbers on the card. In this case, you’re promised a bonus if you do this task within three to five hours. But here’s the problem, it may take days or weeks…
