Watch Out For This Sneaky ‘Secret Shopper Scam’ In South Dakota
A Sioux Falls retiree narrowly avoided becoming the victim of a convincing scam while looking for a way to earn extra income from home.
According to Dakota News Now, the man recently retired and was searching for remote work when he came across an online ad offering a position as a "secret shopper." Intrigued by the opportunity, he applied and was quickly “hired” by the company.
The scammers seemed professional and welcoming, telling him he would soon receive a package containing further instructions.
Sure enough, a FedEx package arrived days later, seemingly confirming the legitimacy of the job. Inside were two checks and detailed instructions: deposit both checks into your personal bank account, then purchase three post office money orders totaling $985, along with $5 worth of stamps.
That's when the man suspected something wasn't quite right.
Unable to reach anyone from the company, despite making multiple attempts, he realized something was off. Rather than risk depositing the checks, he made the smart move of consulting his banker.
The banker confirmed his fears: had he deposited the checks, he could have unknowingly granted scammers access to drain his entire bank account.
Upon learning of the situation, Dakota News Now decided to investigate further. They responded to the same online ad. They, too, received a nearly identical package and a generic letter addressed to "Dear Secret Shopper," welcoming them aboard and outlining the same suspicious instructions.
After texting the number provided in the letter, the station received a reply urging them to deposit the checks and purchase money orders. When Dakota News Now responded that they would be contacting the Attorney General’s Office, the scammer fired back with a crude message, further proving the entire operation was a fraud.
Bottom line: This was a scam!
This so-called "secret shopper" job was nothing more than a ploy to trick victims into compromising their bank accounts. The South Dakota Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection is urging residents to stay vigilant.
If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
Always verify offers that involve sending or depositing money, especially from strangers. If you’re ever unsure, do your homework, reach out to the Consumer Protection Division online at consumerhelp@state.sd.us or by phone at (605) 773-4400.
Source: Dakota News Now