‘Secret shopper’ scam warning issued
Published 12:00 pm Thursday, March 23, 2017
VALDOSTA – The Valdosta Police Department is warning residents about a check scam.
A fraudulent letter and cashier’s check was brought to the attention of Valdosta Police Chief Brian Childress by a local resident who felt it must be a scam.
The letter claimed to be from Biz-Checkers Survey Assignment Coordinator James Logan and stated the recipient had been selected to act as a “customer service evaluator.”
The letter asked the recipient to deposit the cashier’s check, which in this case was for the amount of $2,435, in a personal account and to text the company once the transaction was complete.
Further instructions included going into a Walmart store, acting as a “secret evaluator” by making purchases or carrying out financial services then e-mailing a report of the shopping experience.
Childress brought this letter and check to the attention of the FBI which confirmed it is a scam, the chief said.
“If it sounds like it’s too good to be true, it is,” Childress said. “Never give anybody you don’t know your checking account, credit card information or Social Security number.”
People who receive similar fraudulent letters can report them to the FBI at www.ic3.gov.
Desiree Carver is Lifestyles Editor at the Valdosta Daily Times. She can be reached at (229) 375-5777.