LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Gig and remote jobs can be a great way to earn extra money, but some of those opportunities are a scam.

Consumer reporter, John Matarese, explains that holiday bills are coming in, and most people could use some extra money. 

So becoming a secret shopper job might sound like an ideal way to start the year, but beware. 

Cindy Senour was getting ready to take down her Christmas tree for the new year, when she received an urgent mailing.

"I'm thinking gosh did I pay my taxes? What did I do?," she said. 

Inside was a letter with Walmart's logo that said she'd been chosen to be a secret shopper, and it came with a check -- a big check. 

"The first thing I saw was the $4,000 check. I thought oh wow, jackpot!"

The letter told her to deposit the check and then buy Walmart gift cards to test the store's cashiers. But something seemed off.

"People are not going to randomly send me a $4,000 check," Senour said. 

The same thing happened last summer to Julie Bright, who received an email and check in the mail inviting her to be a mystery shopper at a variety of stores.

"It tells me to go to Walgreens or CVS. Don't let the cashier know what I am doing," Bright said. 

By now, you may start seeing some red flags like a check in the mail, buying gift cards and not telling anyone what you're doing. 

The Better Business Bureau said any job offer that sends you a check upfront is almost always a scam. 

The check will bounce, and you lose a thousand dollars or more of your own money. 

Want to mystery shop? Check with the Mystery Shopping Providers Association, and rip up that unsolicited check. 

"They are trying to make it look very professional. And I know there are a lot of people who will fall for it. I think that's terribly sad," Matarese said. 

He warns people not to waste their money and to remember that legitimate companies don't pay before you start work. 

To read more Don't Waste Your Money stories, click here. 

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