Fraud comes in various ways but you would never suspect a company like Walmart. I answered an email that said Walmart needs you for a mystery shopper. It supplied all the details, my name, address, phone number and email. Walmart would pay me a commission of $300 and a $100 to shop. I replied and was accepted as a mystery shopper. I received a money order for half the amount promised. The money order was written for $994.20. My commission was $150 and there was a shopping fee of $30, along with instructions. Deposit the money in the bank ASAP, then go to Walmart to evaluate an employee, get the name, her position, address of store, how long did it take for the clerk to wait on you and was the person confiadent about the job.

At Walmart I bought a Moneygram money order for Daniel Samy of Greenville, TX 75401 for $814. After purchasing the money order I was ordered to send the receipt and the money order number, along with the clerk’s evaluation to James Carr’s email:checkwalmart@outlook.com.

A few days later James Carr informed me that Daniel Samy could not pick up the money because he had a problem with Moneygram. He asked me if I would I go get the money? When I arrived at Walmart to retrieve the money, the clerk said there was a hold on it. I asked why and the clerk did not know but she gave me a number for Moneygram, (800) 666-3947. I called the number and the Moneygram clerk said “there have been a lot of problems coming from this area and we are checking to find out who is doing it because it is laundering.” I cried “what” and she said “that’s what you are doing.” The clerk really grilled me and after grilling me she released the money. After I received the money I went home to tell my husband what happened. But you know, he hit the ceiling when I told him.

I did not know that the money order was counterfeit right away because I cashed it instead of depositing it in the bank. A few days later I received a letter from the bank stating the money order was counterfeit and the bank was charging my account. I was crying. I did everything I was asked to do and now I was out of $994.20. Not only was my husband angry, I was too.

I was delighted I was going to buy Christmas gifts for my 40 grand and great-grand-children, without putting them on a card this year. This Christmas I could pay for everything and save my card. I was starting a new career and doing something I really love; shopping.

I reported it to the Victoria’s Police Department and CS3 (Internet Crime Complaint Center). I heard Tuesday, Nov. 14, on the evening news about the scam of sending money. I sure wish I had heard it before I got involved.

I was in South Hill Walmart Saturday, Nov. 18, when I overheard a man talking on the phone. It caught my attention when he said “walmart2walmart.” I wanted to tell him that’s a scam because I got caught up too, but I was afraid. I did not know if he was the victim or what.

The Victoria Police Department is aware of it.

The next time something sounds too good be true be careful because it could be fraud.

Be Bless in Jesus’ Name

Mary Simmons is a columnist for the K-V Dispatch. She can be reached at ABoxoflovekvd.com