Your Guide to Advertising Decal Scams [Part 1 of 4]

Are advertising decals a scam? What about other get-rich-quick job opportunities? Unfortunately, the answer is usually yes. Discover why these opportunities are usually scams and how to protect yourself from a get-rich-quick scam.

What is an Advertising Decal Scam?*This is part one of four posts about common scams in our area.

This is a get-rich-quick scam that targets people looking for work or extra money. You are offered money in exchange for placing a decal on your car for a business.  Do not fall for this scam!

Here’s an advertising decal scam example:

1. You respond to a job listing or are contacted directly by a company.
2. They tell you that you can earn $300 a week by placing their advertising decal on your car.
3. If you agree, they send you a large check of $3,000 to deposit.
4. You are instructed to keep your $300 wage and transfer the rest of the deposited money to the graphic artist who will be putting the decal on your car.
5. After you send the money, your bank tells you that the check was fake. The $3,000 never existed and you just sent $2,700 of your own money to a scammer.

This scam gives you upfront money to deposit in your bank account and convinces you to send some of the money to another person. Then the check bounces. It is pretty much impossible to get your money back from a scammer after you transferred it to them.

Advertising decals are not the only get-rich-quick scam out there. Another example involves a work-from-home job listing. They tell you that you can work from home, but you will need to buy their equipment. The scammer sends you a large check that you can use to pay for the equipment you need. Once you send the money to the person they requested, the check bounces.

There have also been reports of scammers asking you to invest or buy into their business. They promise you’ll make back your money plus a profit. However, they will take your investment money and never pay you back.

How to Avoid a Get-Rich-Quick Scam

Look for these signs that the job opportunity is a scam.

• The email or job listing has many spelling errors
• They offer to pay you with cash or a wire transfer
• You received a job offer without applying for anything
• They ask you to deposit a check and then wire the money
• The business name on the check doesn’t match the company who contacted you

If you are ever unsure if someone is trying to scam you, call your bank or credit union! Experts will be available to answer your questions and help you identify a scam.

Learn More About Common Scams

If you are worried about being scammed, read our additional articles about fraud below!

How to Avoid Consumer Fraud for PA Residents

What’s the #1 Riskiest Scam in the U.S. Today? [2017 BBB Report Findings]

Read our infographic about how to spot scams.

Next week, we’ll talk about another common scam – gambling and sweepstakes scams! Enter your email to be notified when the next article is up. Sign up now!Stick Around for Part 2!