A scam story: Secret shopping and fake checks

Job Offer Of A Secret Shopper And The Fake Checks 

Some individuals get a call or mail from an unknown person with links from popular shopping malls with random numbers that ask them to become secret shoppers, and they get a packet with a postal order containing a check of $2K. Such emails may contain doctor's appointments, surveys or other forms where they ask to enter details.  

Text messages, emails or letters invite people to join their firm as secret shoppers for a unique project opening in the area. The person is offered a fake check of more than $2K and is asked to deposit the check in the bank immediately and buy gift cards with the money received.

The victim is asked to scratch the gift cards to get the PIN code, and then they need to send pictures of the cards with the code to the recruiter.

The FTC found these are fake plans where the user is tricked into divulging bank details. They are offered a job and asked to shop and report their experience to test the in-store money transfer service like the MoneyGram or the Western Union. Then, they are asked to transfer money from the check to assess the services offered by the shopping centre.

How To Protect Yourself?

One should never accept money or checks from unknown someone and not take checks even when the buy cost seems less. 

The bank documents often appear very real as they are printed with the same name and address of the legitimate institution, and the officials may accept them. However, the banks take weeks of assessment to verify the document's authenticity, and after weeks, they fail to clear it due to the lack of funds.

One should not use money from unidentified senders to buy gift cards or send money orders to a stranger or someone you just met. If you transfer funds or cash or gift cards to others, it is like sending money to an anonymous person, who can be anyone, a criminal waiting to get your account details.