A scammer sent Charles Gouge a check for almost $2,000 that looked real, complete with Walmart's logo, watermarks, a perforated edge and routing and account numbers.

There were some red flags, though, on the check.  It said Wachovia, a bank that ceased to exist eight years ago.

>> Read more trending stories

The check came with a convoluted letter, saying Gouge got the job to be a secret shopper for Walmart.

The letter told him to go to a certain website and create an account, which appeared to be a scam phishing for personal information.

Walmart told WSOC reporter Jason Stoogenke it never hires secret shoppers.
 
Not to mention the fact that Gouge wasn't looking for a job. 
 
"I don't remember signing up for anything or doing anything," he said. 
 
Gouge didn't pursue it, but is worried others will.
 
"Nobody likes to pass up on a check that's sent in the mail to you," Gouge said. 
 
Scammers try variations of this con all the time.

About the Author

Featured

The city of Brookhaven's mayor and City Council last week decided to remove the colored panes of glass from the dome of Brookhaven's new City Centre after residents objected to the brightness of the colors, seen here Friday, June 27, 2025. (Reed Williams/AJC)

Credit: Reed Williams/AJC