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If It Sounds Too Good to be True, Stay Clear!
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If It Sounds Too Good to be True, Stay Clear!
SOUTHERN MARYLAND - 2/27/2009
By Shirley Ellis
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TheBAYNET.com has learned that recently emails have been circulating offering jobs to people to be a Mystery Shopper. Those that respond are asked for to fill out an application to check and see if there is a position in the area. There is a position available in every case. That is when the fraud begins.
Respondents receive and email with detailed instructions about what they are to do. That is followed by another email stating that a package has been sent for overnight delivery with instructions and that the respondents are to report back within 24 hours.
The scam also offers an incentive for the first three people who get back with the report within the 24 hour period in the way of a check. Upon receipt, the check looks very authentic. The amount of these checks can range from almost $3000 to almost $5000. However, a bank or credit union will not cash the check and hand over cash to the respondent.
The prosecutable fraud kicks in when those that deposit the check into their accounts have the check sent to the scammer’s bank, providing all the pertinent information about the respondents' bank accounts.
In a phone conversation with the St. Mary’s County Sheriff’s Office, TBN was advised that the fraud would occur once the cashed check went back to the thieves containing bank information thus giving the scammers access to accounts and the ability to withdraw the respondent’s hard earned money. TBN was advised to that respondents should shred the check immediately upon receipt. The Sheriff’s Office also recommended that people call the Federal Trade Commission’s Identity Theft Hotline if they suspect they may have a problem at 1-877-438-4338.
At this hotline, they give the caller options to report or get more information and what to do. For example, to close the account in question and password protect a new account. The next thing recommended is for everyone to keep tabs on their account activity on a regular basis.
Other things to watch out for include a change in bill delivery – not receiving normal household bills. This will happen if the scammers change the address of the accounts. People should also be aware that a sudden increase of calls from bill collectors may indicate a problem with bank accounts.
Those in doubt, check with the Credit Bureaus for any new activity in their name and verify that activity was legitimate.
An internet search provides users a great deal of information about true and legitimate mystery shopper services. This Web site provides the information about scams and fraudulent checks: http://mysteryshopper.net/
The age old cliché holds true, if it sounds to be to be true, it probably is.
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