New scam ‘hires’ you to be a secret shopper, aims to steal money from you

LITTLE ROCK — The Better Business Bureau is warning people of a new scam that will mail fake checks after “hiring” you to be a secret shopper in an attempt to steal money from you. They are calling it the “Secret Shopper Scam.”

The BBB has received calls from consumers stating they received a check in amounts of $1,200 to $3,500 or more.

Along with the check, which is delivered by “priority mail,” there are instructions for the “Customer Service Evaluation Assignment.”

BBB is warning consumers to be cautious when contacted by an unknown individual or company offering a way to make easy money.

How the scam works: Victims may receive a message through LikedIn, Facebook, or by text suggesting they applied for a secret shopping job. Once “hired,” they are sent a check to deposit in their banking account and told to deduct their commission.

They are then instructed to purchase Walmart gift cards of varying amounts, so they may “evaluate” the store’s customer service. To prove they performed the task they must provide the code on the back of the gift cards to the company. This allows the scammers to drain the accounts on the gift cards.

Soon, the victim discovers the check deposited in their account for payment is bogus and has bounced, leaving the victim to cover any monies spent from the check.

Avoid falling for this type of scam with these tips:

• Don’t cash the check.

Look for discrepancies, such as misspelled words, different addresses, etc. If you receive a check and are asked to make purchases before the check clears, you will most likely have to refund the financial institution that deposited the check.

• Be skeptical if you are recruited. Is secret shopping legit? There are companies that hire secret shoppers; however, they will never reach out to you and send a check. Scammers will often disguise themselves as recruiters or create fake profiles pretending to be someone you know.

• Don’t pay for a job. Legitimate companies don’t charge people to work for them they pay people to work for them.

• When in doubt, check it out! If you receive an unsolicited check or money order, contact your BBB to investigate before getting involved.

If you feel you have been a victim of a scam, report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.IC3.gov and BBB Scam tracker at www.

bbb.org/scamtracker. ***

LITTLE ROCK — Dangerous heat is forecast for the rest of the workweek. On Thursday, air temperatures will be in the middle to upper 90s with heat index values from 100 to as high as 120 degrees statewide.

“It is very important that if you must be outside, avoid long periods of strenuous activity, take plenty of breaks, stay cool and hydrated,” said a notice issued by the Arkansas Department of Health.

“Be sure that all outdoor animals have a place to stay cool as well as hydrated.”

Some may ask why is the heat index number so important. The two graphics below should help explain that. The first image shows the difference between the air temperature (yellow line) and the heat index (orange line).

Notice that the air temperature only gets high enough (90s) to reach the caution range with the heat level.

When you factor in the high dewpoint (measure of moisture in the atmosphere) values, it feels much hotter than the air temperature and to our body. The heat index value reaches the danger to extreme range. At that level, you have a higher chance to have heat exhaustion and/ or a heat stroke if you do not exercise proper precaution.

That is why the heat index value is so important. There is a big difference between 90 degrees with dry air versus 90 degrees and very moist air.

Our body attempts to regulate our body temperature by sweating when we get too warm. When it is very humid, the sweating function does not work as well so our core temperature will stay elevated and or be slower to cool which can increase health risks.