Laurel Police warn residents of secret shopper scam

Members of the Laurel Police Department say they are warning the community and surrounding areas of a possible secret shopper scam in the area.

According to police, several letters and checks have been sent out, appearing to be from a personal or business account, displaying payment from a secret shopper program. Police say letter requests that recipients deposit the check and deduct a fee as the consumer’s salary for conducting the secret shopper, and then go to different stores and purchase Money Grams.

Laurel Police add that the address on the letters are different from the address of the money gram destination, and even vary state to state.

Police say in the letters, the recipient is given specific steps when they purchase the money grams, to provide needed to accomplish the transaction which include names of the cashier, as well as the name and address of the store the money gram was purchased from, and the reference number for the transfer.  The letter also reportedly states that once the recipient has mailed the money gram off to the addresses provided, they are then asked to email two different email addresses providing the information requested.

Police say after several days or weeks following the checks being sent to the bank, the account comes back closed or non-existent. The checks are then returned to the consumers banks and over draft fees are incurred.

Laurel Police are requesting anyone who receives these letters and checks in the mail to please use caution and report the incident to your local police, and if you decide to cash the checks, they ask recipients to please ensure their bank is aware of the circumstances and obtain their advice prior to depositing them to avoid any over draft fees.

Laurel Police can be reached at 302-875-2244 .