A Somerset County woman is out $2,550 in a secret shopper scam, according to state police.
Troopers said the woman on Friday was contacted by text message that asked if she would like to become a secret shopper for Walmart. She expressed interest and later received a letter and check written out to her for $2,550 in the mail.
She was instructed to cash the check and use the money to purchase Visa prepaid gift cards. Photos of the gift cards were sent to the original number that contacted her before she realized the check was counterfeit, according to police.
Troopers issued a news release this week to warn the public of the scam hitting locally. It has been circulating around the country for several years.
In a fraud alert on its website, Walmart warns that it does not solicit secret, or mystery, shoppers through electronic means such as email or text message. It also warns that the company will not send a check and ask its recipient to purchase items with the funds.
The Federal Trade Commission said depositing checks and wiring money, sending money or purchasing gift cards are classic scammer moves. A consumer can ferret out if they’re being targeted by a scammer by researching the potential mystery shopping opportunity online or talking with a loved one.
Anyone who believes they are being targeted by a scam can report it to local police or online at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
