It looks like a great opportunity to make some extra cash – a check from Walmart with your name on it asking you to participate in one of their quality control programs and earn $2000 to $4000. The catch? It’s a scam.
Scammers have been employing a sophisticated con on people by sending letters, checks and emails to lure people into providing their banking information by posing as the large retailer.
In the letter scam, people are being sent a letter in the mail that includes a check. The letter explains that the individual has been selected for their mystery shopping programs to help them evaluate services at their stores. With secret shopping programs, individuals are hired to “act” like a customer and is essentially paid to shop and then report on the services.
The scammer includes an authentic-looking check and says all you need to do is enter a User ID and password that they provide in the letter. Once you complete the online form you are asked to deposit the check into your bank account. The criminals then ask the consumers to wire part of the money back for one reason or another. Of course, by the time the fake check has bounced, the fraudsters are hoping you’ve sent them money leaving you on the hook to the bank for the entire amount of the fake check, plus additional penalty fees.
Also, in some instances, consumers are asked for personal bank account information. The company will then “deposit” money into their account for payment and funds with which to perform their Secret Shopper tasks. These consumers often then become victims of identity theft or have their accounts drained by fraudster.
As Walmart explains on their corporate website under Fraud Alerts, “Walmart will NEVER mail you a check and ask that you deposit it in order to purchase an item or service and keep the remainder of the amount as payment for services.” They also NEVER employ mystery shoppers.
“Fraudsters are sending fraudulent solicitations via mail, print, text (SMS), and e-mail to entice consumers to evaluate the retail experience, products and services at stores, including Walmart,” the retailer says. “This mystery shopper scam uses fraudulent offers, fake checks and wire transfers to persuade unsuspecting consumers into sending money to fraudsters who are often located outside the U.S.”
So beware. Remember you don’t get something for nothing and if it seems too good to be true, it probably is! And keep in mind the scammers aren’t always using Walmart as a cover, they may use the names of other popular large retailers.
Please share this information with your friends and get the warning out about scams like these.
Disclosure: This post may include affiliate links.