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Department of Consumer Affairs Alert BEWARE of Fake Check Scams Arriving in the Mail
Media contacts:
Jeane’ Holley: (216) 698‐2544 or jholley@cuyahogacounty.us
CLEVELAND – A Parma resident received in the mail (posted marked August 31, 2013) an unsolicited letter and check in the amount of $3,350 asking her to “mystery shop” two separate Western Union outlets closest to her. Instead of following the instruction in the letter, the consumer contacted the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs to see if it was a scam.
“This is a Mystery Shopper Fake Check Scam,” advised Cynthia Sich, Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs Director. “Had the consumer deposited the check and wired the money as instructed, she would have learned several days or weeks later that the check to be a fake. With the money gone, the consumer would have been responsible for repaying the bank thousands of dollars and any fees occurred.”
Mystery shopping, sometimes referred to as secret shopping, is where the consumer receives fraudulent solicitations by mail, text or e‐mail asking the consumer to report on their experience with a business. To appear legitimate, the scam artists use familiar logos and companies, banks or government agencies on letter or checks.
Tips to Recognize and Avoid Fake Check Scams:
Jeane’ Holley: (216) 698‐2544 or jholley@cuyahogacounty.us
CLEVELAND – A Parma resident received in the mail (posted marked August 31, 2013) an unsolicited letter and check in the amount of $3,350 asking her to “mystery shop” two separate Western Union outlets closest to her. Instead of following the instruction in the letter, the consumer contacted the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs to see if it was a scam.
“This is a Mystery Shopper Fake Check Scam,” advised Cynthia Sich, Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs Director. “Had the consumer deposited the check and wired the money as instructed, she would have learned several days or weeks later that the check to be a fake. With the money gone, the consumer would have been responsible for repaying the bank thousands of dollars and any fees occurred.”
Mystery shopping, sometimes referred to as secret shopping, is where the consumer receives fraudulent solicitations by mail, text or e‐mail asking the consumer to report on their experience with a business. To appear legitimate, the scam artists use familiar logos and companies, banks or government agencies on letter or checks.
Tips to Recognize and Avoid Fake Check Scams:
- Never deposit checks from strangers. Especially, if you are asked to wire money from the check sent to you.
- Never pay an upfront fee to become a mystery shopper. Legitimate business do not charge people to work for them, they pay people to work for them.
- If you are considering becoming a mystery shopper, do your research first. Spend some time online searching for reviews and comments about mystery shopping companies that are accepting applications. Visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) for more information at www.mysteryshop.org.
- Don’t deposit it, report it! Report fake check scams to the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs at 216‐443‐7010 or online at https://www.cuyahogacounty.us/i-want-to-contact.
