Local Officials Warn of ‘Mystery Shoppers Scam’

People across the country and in the Hudson Valley are falling for scams where they are told they can earn extra cash by simply, shopping.

According to the Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs, people are receiving letters in the mail, along with large checks, inviting them to earn extra money as mystery shoppers.

The letters tell you deposit the check, wire a portion of the money using Western Union or Money Gram, keep a portion of the check as pay and use a portion of that to purchase merchandise, officials say. Then you’re told to contact the person named in the letter for further instructions.

The Ulster County District Attorney’s Division of Consumer Affairs warns that the checks are fake and your 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.

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