Gloucester Township Resident Alerts Police To Gift Card Scam

GLOUCESTER TOWNSHIP, NJ — A Gloucester Township resident was suspicious of a FedEx package she recently received in the mail that was supposedly from Whole Foods. So she reported the package to Gloucester Township police, who praised her Monday morning for recognizing the scam.

“We have been sharing many ‘don't fall for scams, especially if they're requesting gift cards" posts, and this is a perfect example,” police said in an alert to the public. “Thank you to Danielle, who didn't fall for it, and reported the following narrative and photo.”

Police included a copy of the letter, in which the scammer attempts to trick their targets by saying they are being invited to participate in a “secret survey” at Whole Foods.

“The check included in this letter represents $1,850 that covers the assignment bills, evaluation costs and your survey service commission payment of $400,” the letter reads.

The scammer instructs the target to deposit $1,450 in the bank and keep $400 for themselves.The $400 is to be used to purchase gift cards that they take pictures of and send the information to the scammer.

“Obviously this is a scam as I'm sure the check will bounce," the resident said in her letter to police.

“No doubt the check will bounce, and a potential victim usually finds out after they submit the gift card numbers to the scammer (acting as if they are really Whole Foods Market) and the victim is out of $1,450,” police said. “Be vigilant, Gloucester Township, if it seems too good to be true then it usually is.”

Images of the package and the letter the resident received are embedded below.