If you received a large check in the mail, claiming to be from I-Spy Mystery Shoppers, do not deposit it - it is not real. I-Spy Mystery Shoppers is a legitamate orgainzation, but they are not issuing these checks.
The check will come with an offer to become a Mystery shopper. Your first assignment is to deposit the check and purchase a money order. The amount of the money order is for most of the amount of the check. They include the amount it will cost to purchase such a large money order. You are instructed to send the money order to a specific address, and "rate" the service you received. The address you are to send the money order to is not the same as the address on the instructions, nor is the same address on the check. None of the addresses are the actual address of the real I-Spy Mystery Shoppers, in fact they are not even in the same state.
The paperwork is very authentic looking, complete with forms to report on the services that they are claiming to have you investigate. The check also includes a payment to you of $300.00, which they refer to as a week's salary, and an additional $90.00 with which you are instructed to shop and report on the stores.
You can check the website for the real I-Spy mystery shoppers if you are tempted to try to cash this check, their homepage has a link with information on this scam. They do not solicit mystery shoppers by sending out checks, you must apply for a position.
This scam is most noticeable because it "looks to good to be true", and it is not true. If you deposit the check it will eventually bounce. At best, if you do not withdraw any money, you will be charged a bounced check fee by your bank. Much worse, you could be responsible for the entire amount of the check, almost $4000.00.
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