Woman targeted in mystery shopper scam

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - A Valley woman has a warning, she was sent a big check and was told she was selected as a mystery shopper for K-Mart. But there was a catch, and it was a big one.

Something that looks like a way to try and drain her bank account and other checks could be in the mail to Arizonans.

It's a scam being reported across the country and into Canada. First there was an e-mail, then the text messages, with someone pretending to be from K-Mart, offering her a job as a mystery shopper.

The woman who got the scam asked not to be identified, but the offer said she could make $400.

"I was honored to be chosen as a mystery shopper," said the woman.

But the honor turned to horror when the consumer realized it was a scam. The red flags started when the company sent her a check, more than $2000 worth. It instructed her to deposit the money in her bank account, and then make two $1,000 transfers. The company said the task as part of evaluating Western Union.

The consumer said she never deposited the check and never wired the money.

"Once I got the check and read the letter, I'm really frightened because I don't know what to do, because they have all my info, my cell, my e-mail, my house address, it makes me worried," said the woman.

She is hoping this warns others, that the only mystery in this job is the person behind the scam.

The Federal Trade Commission has issued a warning on mystery shopper scams. The agency says to never wire money to someone you don't know, and never agree to deposit a check from someone you don't know.

If you believe you are the victim of fraud, you can call your police department, or file a report on the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

Online: www.ic3.gov