Las Vegas, NV (KTNV) -- Las Vegas unemployment is soaring just above 13% and con artists are working hard to come up with ways to take advantage. Contact 13's Tricia Kean has a consumer alert on a scam targeting the unemployed.
"I tried to provide for my family," says Art Jacobsen.
He couldn't wait to get back to work after being unemployed for three years.
"I received an email that said we got a position open. Your resume online looks exactly like what we're looking for," says Art.
So when he got a job offer as a secret shopper last August, it seemed like the perfect fit.
"It just sounded really great. I responded to the email and found out I was approved," says Art.
He says, as part of his first assignment, he got a letter in the mail with two checks for a total of about $1,900. Art says he was instructed to cash the checks and then visit a Western Union.
"I tried to provide for my family," says Art Jacobsen.
He couldn't wait to get back to work after being unemployed for three years.
"I received an email that said we got a position open. Your resume online looks exactly like what we're looking for," says Art.
So when he got a job offer as a secret shopper last August, it seemed like the perfect fit.
"It just sounded really great. I responded to the email and found out I was approved," says Art.
He says, as part of his first assignment, he got a letter in the mail with two checks for a total of about $1,900. Art says he was instructed to cash the checks and then visit a Western Union.
There he would wire some of the money and secretly grade the customer service.
"Were they friendly? How were they dressed? Was the place clean? You know all the things you would think," says Art.
So Art took the checks to his bank and cashed them. After that, Art says he shared the news about his secret shopper job with his fiance. But she sensed something was wrong.
"She says nobody is going to send you that much money, to go out and spend their money," says Art.
Art says he couldn't believe it. And after talking to his bank, they confirmed the news that the checks were counterfeit. And now Art was responsible for paying all that money back.
"It looks like something official that you would see from any place that you would receive a check, any corporation, company," says Art.
And the Better Business Bureau says that's the problem. Rhonda Mettler says these checks look very real, but it's people like Art who pay the consequences.
"As the consumer, who is not only out X amount of dollars they wanted you to wire, you also claim responsibility for that bogus check," says Rhonda.
She says, make sure to practice due diligence.
"It's definitely important for consumers to check with the Better Business Bureau, check with your bank, before depositing any kind of check," says Rhonda.
After paying all that money back, Art says its a lesson he learned a little too late.
"There are thousands of scams out there that use banks and unfortunately use our bank accounts for it," says Art.
So here's the Contact 13 bottom line. Be cautious about any work at home job opportunities.
"Were they friendly? How were they dressed? Was the place clean? You know all the things you would think," says Art.
So Art took the checks to his bank and cashed them. After that, Art says he shared the news about his secret shopper job with his fiance. But she sensed something was wrong.
"She says nobody is going to send you that much money, to go out and spend their money," says Art.
Art says he couldn't believe it. And after talking to his bank, they confirmed the news that the checks were counterfeit. And now Art was responsible for paying all that money back.
"It looks like something official that you would see from any place that you would receive a check, any corporation, company," says Art.
And the Better Business Bureau says that's the problem. Rhonda Mettler says these checks look very real, but it's people like Art who pay the consequences.
"As the consumer, who is not only out X amount of dollars they wanted you to wire, you also claim responsibility for that bogus check," says Rhonda.
She says, make sure to practice due diligence.
"It's definitely important for consumers to check with the Better Business Bureau, check with your bank, before depositing any kind of check," says Rhonda.
After paying all that money back, Art says its a lesson he learned a little too late.
"There are thousands of scams out there that use banks and unfortunately use our bank accounts for it," says Art.
So here's the Contact 13 bottom line. Be cautious about any work at home job opportunities.
The BBB says con artists get your attention by advertising big pay offs.
Remember, it's rare to receive such a large pay check, especially before you've done any work.
And if you're interested in legitimate secret shopping work, check out the Mystery Shopping Provider's Network.
No comments:
Post a Comment