TLDR
Victim hired as 'mystery shopper' or 'personal assistant', receives a $2,800 check, told to deposit, keep $300, send $2,500 via Zelle/Western Union to 'vendor'. Days later bank reverses the check as counterfeit and victim owes the full...
How it works
Victim hired as 'mystery shopper' or 'personal assistant', receives a $2,800 check, told to deposit, keep $300, send $2,500 via Zelle/Western Union to 'vendor'. Days later bank reverses the check as counterfeit and victim owes the full...
Red flags
- Urgent pressure to click, pay, or share codes immediately.
- A link or sender that does not match the official organization.
- Requests for card data, passwords, OTPs, wallet signatures, or bank transfers.
What to do
- 1Indicators: check arrives via FedEx overnight, urgency to wire same day, employer never met in person, payment routed to gift cards or crypto.
- 2WHAT TO DO: never wire/Zelle funds from a deposited check — bank funds availability is not check clearance (takes 5 10 business days).
- 3IF VICTIM: notify bank immediately, file ReportFraud.ftc.gov, report to USPS Postal Inspection Service if mailed (1 877 876 2455).
Source
FTC
Source reviewed by Mythos Forensic Team
https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-spot-avoid-and-report-fake-check-scamsFAQ
Is Fake check overpayment — mystery shopper / job scam variant a real scam pattern?
Yes. Treat the message, call, or payment request as suspicious until you verify it through an official channel.
What are the first warning signs?
Urgent pressure to click, pay, or share codes immediately.; A link or sender that does not match the official organization.; Requests for card data, passwords, OTPs, wallet signatures, or bank transfers.
What should I do first?
Indicators: check arrives via FedEx overnight, urgency to wire same day, employer never met in person, payment routed to gift cards or crypto.; WHAT TO DO: never wire/Zelle funds from a deposited check — bank funds availability is not check clearance (takes 5 10 business days).; IF VICTIM: notify bank immediately, file ReportFraud.ftc.gov, report to USPS Postal Inspection Service if mailed (1 877 876 2455).
Can LegalAudit check my case?
Yes. Start a free chat and paste the message, link, sender, or payment details for triage.