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Employment CASE-2026-0008

Mystery shopper assignment converts fake check into gift cards

A secret-shopper job sends a check, tells the target to buy gift cards, and asks for photos of the card numbers.

First reported May 15, 2026 · Updated May 27, 2026

Employment scam illustration

⚡ The 30-second version

How it arrives: A job offer or recruiter message you didn't apply for.

If you see any of these…

  • They send you a check and ask you to send part of it back or buy equipment
  • Pay that's too good for the work, hired without a real interview
  • Brand-new recruiter account, chat moves to text or WhatsApp fast

…do this now

  1. Never deposit a check and send money back — that check will bounce on you.
  2. Stop contact and don't share your SSN, ID, or bank details.
  3. If you deposited a check, call your bank before spending a cent of it.

How this scam works

The assignment promised easy money for reviewing a retailer. The target received a check, was told to deposit it, and then to buy gift cards as part of the evaluation. The final instruction was to scratch the cards, photograph the numbers, and send the images back with a brief store report. The report is cover. Gift card numbers are the payment. Once the scammer receives the numbers, the value can be drained. The check later fails and the bank reverses the deposit, leaving the target responsible for the money spent. Real mystery shopping work does not require sending money back, wiring funds, buying gift cards for someone else, or paying for a list of jobs. A company that hires immediately and sends a large check before any verified assignment is not testing customer service. It is testing whether the target will convert a fake deposit into real value.

If this happened to you

First, take a breath. Being targeted is not your fault — these scammers do this all day, every day, and they are very good at it. Here's what to do next:

  1. Stop contact and don't send any more money or information.
  2. If money or an account is involved, call your bank or card company right away.
  3. Report it — it helps protect others: tell us here and file with the FTC ↗.
  4. Tell someone you trust. Talking about it openly takes away the scammer's biggest weapon: shame.

If you're feeling embarrassed or shaken, that's a completely normal reaction — and it passes. You're not alone, and help is free:

  • AARP Fraud Watch Helpline: 877-908-3360 — free to talk it through, even if you're not a member.
  • Recover your identity: IdentityTheft.gov ↗ — a free, step-by-step plan from the FTC.
Lost money to this? Get a free read from a licensed investigator — what's realistic, and what to do first. Start here →

Know someone who might fall for this?

Take two seconds to send it to them — forwarding a scam to the people you love is the easiest way to stop one before it starts.

We compile entries from the public source linked in the case facts. We don't publish private screenshots or message threads. If you report a new instance, please keep the original message, sender address, phone number, links, and any payment request.

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