FROM: HOLLEY CARNRIGHT
DATE: APRIL 17, 2017
RE: PRESS RELEASE – MYSTERY SHOPPER SCAM
People across the country are receiving letters in the mail – accompanied by large checks – inviting them to earn extra money as mystery shoppers.
According to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs, these letters instruct you to deposit the check, wire a portion of the money using Western Union or Money Gram, keep a portion as pay and use a portion of that to purchase merchandise. Then you’re told to contact the person named in the letter for further instructions.
Don’t. The check is fraudulent and the bank will hold you responsible for the total amount.
The Bureau advises never wiring money to an unknown recipient and never cashing an unsolicited check from an unknown sender. The Bureau can be reached at 340-3260.