A reader received this packet in the mail and shared it with TLS to warn others.

The packet claims the recipient has been “hired” as a mystery shopper, and comes with a cashier’s check for $2,950. The letter instructs the recipient to deposit the check, keep $450 to $550 as “pay,” and use the rest to buy $2,500 in Sephora gift cards at local stores – then scratch off the back of the cards and send photos of the codes by email and text.

This is a classic fake-check scam. The check is counterfeit, and any gift card codes sent to the scammers are redeemed instantly and cannot be recovered.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, fake checks are often printed with the names and addresses of legitimate banks and businesses – scammers misuse real company names to make the checks look convincing, and the checks can look real even to bank employees.

The FTC warns:

– Banks are required to make deposited funds available within days, but a fake check can take weeks to be discovered. When it bounces, you are responsible for repaying the bank the full amount.
– Never use money from a check to buy gift cards or money orders, or to wire money to anyone who asks you to.
– No legitimate business hires mystery shoppers by mailing an unsolicited check and demanding gift card purchases.

If you receive a packet like this one, do not deposit the check, do not buy gift cards, and do not send anyone the card codes. Scams like this can be reported to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov and to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service at uspis.gov.

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