Secret Shopper / Gift Card Scam

Did you receive a Secret Shopper letter with a cashiers check? It’s fraud! The scammers sent you a fraudulent cashiers check in hopes you’ll deposit it to your account and buy gift cards. Next, they want you to provide all the gift card information to them as quickly as possible. Why? They want to cash in the cards before you get notified by your financial institution that the check is no good. Now you’re out the amount of the check AND the gift card total!

Here’s a copy of a letter someone received with a fake Frontier check.

What red flags do you see?

• Nowhere does it give a company name. So, you can’t research it online with a specific website.

• Look up the phone number. Someone may have already reported is as a scam. Like this one 619-320-5361

• Did you apply for a Secret Shopper job? Make sure it’s legit. Most don’t pay you upfront. Read more here.

• “As soon as” language to pressure you to send a text or email after getting the package. Or “within the first 12-24 hours” language to deposit the check and get the survey done. This is all to hurry you along before you realize it’s fraud.

• Very specific details on how to send the gift card details back to them. These details allow them to use the cards online immediately.

STOP, THINK, and ASK a friend, family member, or your financial institution to review it BEFORE Taking Action!