A new “secret shopper” scam is circulating in Jefferson County, and the district attorney is warning consumers not to fall for it.
The way it works is that the scammers get an unsuspecting person to sign up to be a secret shopper — someone who unobtrusively checks out retail establishments and reports back to store owners.
The ads for the jobs are in newspapers, websites and emails, Jefferson County District Attorney Scott Storey said in a news release.
It sounds like a great way to make extra money: You get paid to go shopping. You visit a store, purchase a few things and evaluate the experience. The hours are flexible, and you get to keep what you buy.
But watch out, Storey warns. Some jobs are legit, but others will cost you.
When it’s a scam, you sign up and get an assignment along with a check for $4,900 that you are supposed to deposit in your account.
Within 48 hours you go to your first assignment and spend $100 at the store and write a report.
The next assignment is to evaluate MoneyGram by writing a check out of your account for $4200 and wiring money to a pre-determined address.
The original $4900 check is no good, and the scammers receive your MoneyGram — with your money — and scram, Storey said.
Anyone who thinks they could be victim of the scam can call the DA’s Fraud Hotline at 303-271-6980.
