Secret Shopper Scam Costs Solon Man $2,600

SOLON, OH — The so-called "ghost shopper" scam hit Solon this week. The ploy convinces a victim that they've been hired as a secret shopper who needs to buy gift cards at local businesses, to check the quality of service. Of course, the gift cards are then given to another person, who drains them of funds and does not pay the victim for their "work."

The scam ensnared a 61-year-old in Solon on October 9. The resident was told they were now a "ghost shopper." They then received a check for $2,922 with instructions to deposit the check and use the money to buy $2,600 in Walmart gift cards.

The resident bought the gift cards and then sent images of the cards to a phone number in New Jersey. The cards were drained of their money.

On October 9, the resident was told the check that he had deposited had bounced. There were insufficient funds in the account. Police said there are no suspects in the case.

A similar scam hit a Westlake resident in the past month, too. On September 29, a Westlake resident got an unsolicited email offering to pay her to become a secret shopper. She was to go out and quietly evaluate local companies. The victim was sent a check to deposit in her account. Using those funds, she was to buy gift cards from the various stores. She would then send the activation codes on the cards to her "employer."

The woman bought several gift cards before her bank called her and said the initial check had been fraudulent. Police said the company that "hired" the woman was called See Level Human Experience.

Residents should always be skeptical of these "secret shopper" ploys. If anyone reaches out and offers to make you a secret shopper, contact local police, a relative, or the Cuyahoga County Department of Consumer Affairs.

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