Don't fall for the "Mystery Shopper" scam

The Erie County District Attorney's Office is investigating 10 cases since January 2018 where people have lost on average $3,000/person to a "Mystery Shopper" scam.

The scam starts with a person being contacted by phone or email about being a mystery shopper.  

If a victim agrees, the scammers will mail a packet of information with a check in the amount of $2,000 to $3,000.

Information in the packet instructs the mystery shopper to purchase items, or gift cards, and fill out a form with their comments about the store and customer service. 

In return for their participation, the mystery shopper can keep several hundred dollars as compensation.

The purchased items must them be sent to a specified address, with shipping supposedly covered by the check, or email the gift card numbers as proof of purchase.

The problem is the checks are counterfeit - even though they look real and may even have actual bank information printed on them.

Many legitimate companies do offer mystery shopper services to get feedback for businesses, making it harder for people to know what is actually a scam.

Erie County District Attorney John Flynn warns people to "not" cash checks from someone you don't know - until you have it checked by your bank or the Better Business Bureau. https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/upstate-new-york

If you feel that you are a victim of this scam, you should contact the Erie County District Attorney's Office: http://www2.erie.gov/da/

Tonight on 7 Eyewitness News, reporter Ed Reilly talks with targeted victim Mike Billoni.  Billoni is well know in the Buffalo community after doing public relations for the Buffalo Bisons and the Food Bank of WNY.  Scammers nearly took him for $2,985.

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