Is this a scam?

United States
February 6, 2009 1:12pm CST
I checked my mail today, and one of the letters I recieved was post marked from Canada. I have a friend in Canada, so this is the first thing I opened. Inside was a check for 3,950.00 and a letter stating that I am now a Mystery Shopper. But the check is drawn on a North Carolina credit union. The letter instructs me to spend $150.00 at a retail store they've suggested, either K-Mart, Home Depot, Gap, JC Penney, Walmart, or a few others. Then I must wire $3,400 to someone, those instructions are included as well. After the fees associated with the wire transfer, I get to keep $200, plus whatever I purchased with the $150 at the retail store. There is also a phone number to call, but it asks for a pass code, and my letter does not include a pass code. This check looks legit, it's a cashier's check. I just am too skeptical to believe it! I'd love it to be true, and am hoping that it is true. But I just can't believe that it is. What do you think? What should I do? Should I try to cash this check? What would you do?
11 people like this
38 responses
@thezone (9394)
• Ireland
6 Feb 09
I have heard of such scams of this, they hope you will wire the money before the cheque clears. No doubt the cheque will bounce. I could be wrong but be carefull and get some more information before you proceed. Hopefully someone here can verify if this is real or not.
• United States
6 Feb 09
Now that I'm thinking about it, I am probably not going to do anything with it, for fear of it being a scam. Right now I'm waiting until my husband gets home and has a look at it. But I will most likely shred the check. I am just too skeptical to believe this is legit.
3 people like this
• United States
7 Feb 09
HI Kats: Oh lordy me!! I have enough fake checks here I could wallpaper a room with them; But I must say yours is a different set up than what I've had before, first thing I'd do is take it to your local bank, they can verify if the cashier's check is fake and I'm guessing its a fake one, they are good at what they do these scan artists, I've had fake cashier's checks, Fake traveler's checks, those were really really well done except the little code thing a ma jig ( brain fart here) was not done on the backside of the traveler's check, anyway have your bank do a verification on it, but anytime these jerks send you a check like that and they want a big portion of it sent back to them, RUN! IT'S A SCAM!!! I've turned in I don't know how many to the police here, to the sheriff's office to my state's attorney General, this is yet one of the biggest reasons I want to get out of the selling on auction sites and earn more money via writing and so on; toooooo many crazy con artists out there in the world...Run Kats Run !!! Ask Jerzgirl, she knows the messes I've had over the last three years ++ crazy people out there just crazy!!!
• United States
7 Feb 09
Whoa, slow down there, lol! Live and learn they say. Like I said, I'm just glad I took the time to think. I'm rather impulsive and was ready to go deposit it into my account. It's a great thing that I've seen online scams before that make me leary and make me think twice before acting on anything that seems at all fishy.
• United States
7 Feb 09
Yeah, I ended up finding a website all about these scams last night, so I'm pretty convinced this is a scam now. I'm glad I didn't act on impulse and just go cash it. It's wise to take some time to think, and ask questions before acting on them.
• United States
7 Feb 09
Yeah they really are tons of them, in fact some times there will be money in the account ( like my situation) and then 7-14 days later NO MONEY ACCOUNT CLOSED etc..etc..etc.... so yeah don't fall for them!!! If I could I'd personally love to hurt everyone of them that has ever tried to con me (G)!! Just once, just let me at them just once!
@Bethany1202 (3431)
• United States
7 Feb 09
This is certainly not real. Fake programs such as this and many others have been circulating for years. PLEASE do not wire them any money -- you will lose it all! They operate in different countries so the laws and jurisdictions are different and your money will likely never be recovered and returned to you!
2 people like this
@4ofmyown (1119)
• United States
6 Feb 09
I would definitely not do it. I get stuff like that all the time from all over the world. I automatically label them a spam that way I don't get them again from that web address. I have seen too many things on shows like 48 hours or Dateline were people get completely ripped off.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Feb 09
This is not an e-mail. This came to my home address, this check is in my hand! If it were an e-mail I'd certainly delete it.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Feb 09
There is no fine print what so ever, I've been over the letter a bunch of times. There isn't even a company name, the only thing I'm seeing here is the name of the credit union it's drawn on, and I looked that up on the web, at least the credit union is for real. I'm still very unsure of it right now.
1 person likes this
@4ofmyown (1119)
• United States
6 Feb 09
Well, I hope for your sake it is real, that would nice right about now, right? But, in any case, be careful, because there are so many people out there who try and take advantage of others.
1 person likes this
@Opal26 (17679)
• United States
7 Feb 09
Hey kats! Rip the check up and throw it away asap! It's a definite SCAM! I've gotten that one too! It looks legit, BUT anytime they ask you to wire money it is a SCAM! Never fall for that stuff! It is done that way to try to trick you! Just get rid of the check and forget it! It is one of the many major SCAMS that have been going around for a long time!
2 people like this
• United States
7 Feb 09
Yeah, this one is new to me, but I am convinced now that it is a scam. Thankfully I spent time thinking about it before acting on my greedy impulses.
@apples99 (6556)
• United States
7 Feb 09
I think its a scam, it sounds like something similar my friend went through she got this fake check in the mail from some fake organization, then she took the check to the bank and found out from the bank teller that the whole thing was a scam the company that she got the check from didnt even exist, so I dont think you should try to cash it because it could be a big scam and the company could be illegal or something, my friend went through some rough stuff do to a similar scam but its just my opinion. But I cant say for sure but just be careful because if it sounds to good to be true it probably is.
2 people like this
@tentwo67 (3382)
• United States
6 Feb 09
Yes this is a scam! The check is a fraud.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Feb 09
How do you know that forsure? I searched the credit union on which the check is drawn and that is legit, there is a website for it.
2 people like this
@xbrendax (2662)
• United States
7 Feb 09
If you DO cash it, we might see you on the 6 oclock news, so be careful!
1 person likes this
@tentwo67 (3382)
• United States
6 Feb 09
While I cannot say with absolute certainty that this particular check is bad, I have heard of several different scams like this. Also, there's that old adage, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is! Would be great if it was legit, but I really tend to doubt it. Best of luck to you.
1 person likes this
@anne25penn (3305)
• Philippines
6 Feb 09
There should be a helpdesk number of some kind with that letter. Do you remember applying as a mystery shopper online? If it's a legit mystery shopper offer, they should have a website. I have doubts though about transferring the money again because mystery shopping does give you money to spend, but to wire it back, that makes me think twice also if that is a legit business or another scam. There should also be like a list of things to buy and instructions for you to rate the store that you visited. I suggest that you do check it out first before cashing the check. ^-^
• United States
7 Feb 09
There is a number, I called it twice, the first time it asked for some sort of pin code, the second time an automated machine picked up and said some mystery shopper thing, then I pressed the ext. # and a guy with a weird voice answered. I wasn't sure what to say so I just hung up. There are instructions, not what to buy, but where to shop, and also a form I'm supposed to fill out and fax back to them.
1 person likes this
7 Feb 09
And why do you think all that is?? Because they dont want you to verify it first because then you will not wire the money. They rely on people thinking, "Oh, it must be genuine. Theres a phone number and Ive heard of the bank" So.....you put it in your bank and wire off the money. Hey presto, as if by Scammy magic the check bounces. Or....you decide to wait until it clears and then wire the money.....that way, you wont lose out. Guarantee you it WILL NOT clear. And you might get bank charges for a bad check. Use your head and bin this!
• Canada
7 Feb 09
This is very likely to be a scam. Very very likely. Because of this I would simply cash the check and leave it at that, therefore you do not risk losing anything. Just cash it and walk away. If you think about it it seems more and more like a scam though so do not get to excited but good luck with the check clearing. :)
1 person likes this
• Canada
7 Feb 09
But if you cash the cheque it will come back as fraudulent. The bank will take the money back from you and charge you a hefty fee to boot.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Feb 09
No I don't plan on cashing it now. I'm pretty sure the check is a fake.
@penny64 (1106)
• Australia
7 Feb 09
I think you have enough information in the responses here to verify that this is a scam. My first question would be what would be the purpose of sending you that much money and then having you wire most of it on? Even if the check cleared, it still sounds like money laundering, and you would be right in the middle of it. It's much more likely that the check will bounce. Just pass on the check and letter to the authorities who hopefully will be able to trace the bank accounts, and be thankful that you are smarter than the others these criminals have scammed.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Feb 09
Yeah, that's my plan at this point. I was just excited to have a large check in my hand, but the excitement has passed and now I realize that it's fake and won't be cashing it.
1 person likes this
@penny64 (1106)
• Australia
8 Feb 09
It's so mean to play with your head like that. I don't think I could hold such a large check in my hand and not get excited about it. We all want to hope that something amazing will happen, especially when money is tight. I hope something special happens for you to make up for this disappointment!
@zhuuraan (961)
• United States
7 Feb 09
NO no no Noooo! Don't mess with it! Just throw it away right away! I got something similar to that and I forget what tipped me off that it was a scam, but it was plain and clear! Most of those mystery shopping things are scams anyway. It's not easy to sift through the 99% scams and find the 1% that are, but you can bet that's in the majority!
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Feb 09
Yes, I'm pretty sure it is a scam now that I've done some thinking on it. It was just very exciting to have an almost $4000 check in my hand so I wanted it to be true for a minute, lol.
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
7 Feb 09
Take that directly to the post office. The post master general will look into scams like that.
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Feb 09
There's no return address, just a post mark. There's no company name, just a credit union, and the credit union is legit, but I'm guessing this check is a fake.
@penny64 (1106)
• Australia
7 Feb 09
It was posted from Canada. Maybe that's why ...
1 person likes this
@rocketj1 (6955)
• United States
7 Feb 09
It's a federal crime to scam through the US postal service.
1 person likes this
@jesssp (2712)
• Canada
6 Feb 09
Hang on to the cheque and take it with you next time you go to the bank. Just ask them if they have seen them before and what the deal is. If it's a scam then chances are banks would have a notice or would have seen the same thing before. Plus I'm pretty sure they can do a check to see if it's going to clear or not. I would guess it's a scam just because of the wire transfer. Why would they send you money and then you have to wire it to someone else? I would agree with the above poster that said the cheque will most likely bounce once the money had been wired. Then someone ends up with $3400 in their account and you end up with $3400 less in yours.
1 person likes this
@xbrendax (2662)
• United States
7 Feb 09
I wonder if you can buy a debit card with it? Those places that will lend instant cash, such as payday loans, all sell debit cards. The cost of the card is around $10 and then put the rest of the money on the card. That would be one way to rip of the scammers, but don't go by me, what do I know? NOTHING!
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Feb 09
IF I were to try this, and that's a big IF, I would try not to deposit it into my account, instead I'd cash the check so I would just have the cash. If I had to deposit it into my account, I wouldn't touch it until the check cleared. But I'm nervous about attempting to deposit it into my account. I'm afraid they'll end up getting my bank information that way, and I'm not sure where else I can cash this since it's not local.
2 people like this
@Kenzierou (108)
• Indonesia
7 Feb 09
That sounds like too good to be true, Money delivered to your home. Why they sent you 3950 instead 350, you only need that much, don't you think??
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Feb 09
Yep, that's true, that's what got me too. It's definitly a scam.
• Canada
7 Feb 09
From the research I've done so far, this is a known scam that is currently resurfacing. Here is an article about it and, at the bottom, there's a Crime Stoppers tip line to call. I'd encourage you to do that or to call your local authorities. It would probably ease your mind. It's really disconcerting to be hit with these things, especially right to your home mailbox. http://news.therecord.com/article/328675 Here's one from a company who is being made to look like they are responsible for some of these letters, which they say they aren't: http://www.consumercontact.com/article-1185393345.html This is an interesting, useful clip from the bottom of their statement: "For more information on current scams in the mystery shopping industry, go to http://www.mysteryshop.org/news/article_pr.php?art_ID=75] and link to the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) and a press release on the scam."
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Feb 09
There is no company name listed anywhere, which was my first worry, and the fact that the credit union is in SC but the letter was post marked from Canada, and of course the large money transfer was weird too. So I'm certainly not cashing this check now. Glad I took the time to think on it before acting.
1 person likes this
@LittleMel (8742)
• Canada
7 Feb 09
I received something like that by e-mail. there is no check, just instructions to send money that will be paid back by some mystery shopping company. DON'T spend any money, it's a SCAM. I know someone who is a mystery shopper. To be a mystery shopper she will have to register and passed some tests. Then she will have a contact person from the company to give her assignments and respond to any problem she encounters during performing the assignment to reporting the result. If you have never registered or passed any tets to be one, don't do anything about it. If you have, then the company you are registered to, should be contacted.
• United States
7 Feb 09
I don't remember signing up for anything, and I certainly didn't take any tests. I'm pretty sure this one is a scam.
@maria_k (925)
• United States
7 Feb 09
This is a scam. The cashier chech is fake. I suggest you call the bank to verify. It's the same sacme that've been going for a while.
1 person likes this
@Barb42 (4214)
• United States
7 Feb 09
Did you apply to be a Mystery Shopper? If not, I'd say this is yet another SCAM. Go read about it here. http://www.snopes.com/fraud/employment/shopper.asp
• United States
7 Feb 09
Yes, I did some research last night and did find information about scams like this, so now I'm pretty sure it is a scam. The transfer seems odd, so I will not be doing anything with this check.
• United States
7 Feb 09
you should go to a bank and find out if it is legit, before you do anything else. i am 100% sure that this is a scam cause no one does this sort of a thing. it should say where the cashiers check was made so, also check over there and i can again guarantee you that this is a scam.
1 person likes this
@mrgeebee (133)
• United States
7 Feb 09
SCAM with big letters... i get one of those from gautamala and el salvadore . goes along with the international lottery winners , remember if it sounds to good to be true , usually is
1 person likes this
• United States
7 Feb 09
Yep, that about sums it up. That's why I'm glad I took time to think about it before acting on it.