WASHINGTON — The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers about a scam that not only offers phony employment, but asks people to wire money to an address outside of the United States.
People have been getting emails offering employment as a “secret shopper.” When they agree, and send their personal information including home address, they are sent instructions to start buying things online as a “secret shopper,” according to a statement from the bureau.
People are given the impression this is being done on behalf of the Home Depot stores. Later, a check for an “advance” and expenses arrives in the mail.
“Your instructions tell you to deposit the check, subtract your fee and shopping expenses and wire the rest back … but don’t do it. The check looks real, but it’s a fake. Scammers often intercept real checks from businesses and ‘wash’ them to use in scams like these,” the bureau says on its website.
“If you deposit the check and draw money against it, you will be responsible for those funds. When the bank rejects the fake check, they will delete the advanced funds from your account.”
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