'Secret shopper' job was fraud scheme

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"Now Hiring in Your Area," read the advertisement. "Customer service, other general positions, no experience required. Paid Training. Call us Now!"

Medford resident Pam Schalow said she lost almost $3,000 after responding to the ad in the "Employment Opportunities" section of the Mail Tribune three weeks ago.

It is one of many scams that pop up on a regular basis, said Medford police Deputy Chief Tim George.

"Every day there's a new one born, and every day someone falls for it," George said. "Bottom line, you don't get something for nothing."

Schalow said she called the phone number listed in the advertisement and the company said it was looking for "secret shoppers" to rate customer service at Wal-Mart and other national franchises. She was sent a packet that included a $2,775 cashier's check and was instructed to go to the Medford Wal-Mart and buy a $2,420 MoneyGram to test the store's ability to handle the transaction.

Schalow, who was in need of income because the Medford Quik Check she worked at was preparing to close its doors, said the letterhead looked official, with logos from national franchises such as Wal-Mart, McDonald's and Pizza Hut filling the margins at the bottom of one of the pages. Schalow took the letter and its contents to her soon-to-be former boss in search of advice.

"My boss said her friend in Texas actually worked for them and it was legit," Schalow recalled.

Slightly suspicious, but still in need of income to pay for the home she had just moved into with her husband, Schalow proceeded on July 25 to cash the check at her bank as she was instructed by the company, before going to Wal-Mart to transfer the money to an address in Canada. The packet instructed her to keep $300 for herself as compensation.

Schalow's son, Andrew Brooks, became curious about his mother's new employment and spent an entire night researching the "secret shopper" operation.

When Schalow awoke on July 26, her son had bad news — she had been scammed.

"I feel so stupid for falling for it," Schalow said. "The letter and everything, I didn't have any reason not to believe it."

Schalow has since been informed by her bank that she must repay the full amount of the $2,775 check.

She said she feels let down by her bank.

"All the girl asked was if I wanted it in large bills," Schalow said. "If she had verified the funds I wouldn't be in this mess."

George said that the likely strategy behind this scam is to reach as many potential victims as possible. He said that by sending out a million employment offers, even receiving 5,000 responses would yield several million dollars for the company.

"It's a numbers game," George said. "When you throw that big of a net out there, you catch a few fish."

The advertisement is no longer being run by the newspaper.

Schalow said the company was vague about its whereabouts, mentioning Vancouver, Ontario and Alberta in Canada.

George said he would advise anyone who comes across a document offering money as part of a sweepstakes, secret shopper or other program to put it into a fireplace or paper shredder.

The Medford Police Department is in frequent communication with financial institutions to make sure they are caught up on the latest scams, George said.

"Financial institutions are certainly wise to it," he added.

Schalow said she has learned her lesson.

"I'm still looking for a job," Schalow said, "but I'm not calling anymore long-distance numbers."

Reach intern Bob Albrecht at 776-8791 or e-mail intern1@mailtribune.com.

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