VISTA (NEWS 8) - A North County family is out $2,000 after falling for secret shopper scam involving wiring money from Walmart.
It started with an email to the mother of two little boys.
Carissa Looney and her husband are just trying to make ends meet while living in their Vista apartment.
“I never would have usually fallen for anything like this,” she said.
The email appeared legitimate and offered a tempting $300 to be a secret shopper at Walmart.
“They wanted us to survey our local Walmart – the one we would go to most often – and take note of the professionalism of the employees,” said Looney.
As you might have guessed, the email had no affiliation with Walmart. And, the check the young mother received in the mail a few weeks later was also a fake.
“The check came in the amount of $2250.56 and of that $300 was (supposedly) our compensation,” Looney said.
Once the check was deposited in the couple’s bank, the scam involved going to Walmart and making wire transfers under the guise of evaluating customer service.
“Make two wire transfers, one using the Money Gram service and the other using the Walmart to Walmart service, $900 for each of (the transfers),” Looney said.
Days later, the check bounced and now the family is on the hook for $2,000.
“I guess I trusted them. It’s very hard for me to say that,” said Looney.
Talking on television about being scammed isn't easy but for Looney it’s the right thing to do.
“I don't want anybody else to fall for this because now we're stuck with this to pay off and that's very difficult for us,” she said.
A lesson learned the hard way.
“Nothing is free and especially for secret shoppers,” said Looney. “You just have to work for your money the old fashioned way and you won't have to worry about it. Just don't let it temp you.”
The couple reported the fraud to authorities but she may never see her money again.
These types of scams often involve receiving a check in the mail and then a request to wire transfer money. Experts say that be a red flag not to get involved