A little over a month and a half ago, Jonathan Ryan Hemrick received an unexpected check from Colonial Electric Supply in the amount of $3,850 for a position as a customer service evaluator.

Hemrick’s parents, Greg and Jennifer Hemrick, were a little skeptical of a company that would send their son such an extravagant check. Part of the reason for their hesitancy to believe that the check was legitimate was because their son is only 14 months old.

When the Hemricks called the company to inquire about the check, they were told that Jonathan would have to cash the check in person. Jennifer Hemrick then asked how he was supposed to do this considering that Jonathan is only a toddler.

“They told me that they could send me a check in my name as well if I wanted one,” Hemrick recalled.

At this point a red flag immediately went up at the Hemrick home.

The letter that came with Jonathan’s check explained that he had been chosen as a mystery shopper based on his application and the content of his resume. A mystery shopper’s job description, the letter explained, required that Jonathan complete a Walmart and Money-Gram transaction within 48 hours. Upon completion, he was required to notify the office of the purchase by citing the Walmart receipt number and the Money-Gram reference number. These numbers would then be used to verify the completion of the assignments, the letter stated.

A Customer Service Evaluation Tool was also attached. The CSET, essentially, is a form that is provided so the shopper can note their opinions on the shopping experience in terms of the location’s promptness and attention to customer service. The ‘official check’ that was included with the letter was to be used to assist the mystery shopper with the assignment.

Although the Hemricks said that they were tempted to cash the check, they decided to first speak with their bank representative. An official from their bank told Greg Hemrick that if he did proceed to deposit the check not only would the check itself bounce but all subsequent checks would bounce as well. The Hemricks said that they decided to come forward with this information to caution others of similar scams that may be taking place in the county.

“I would really hate to see someone railroaded like that,” Greg Hemrick explained. “The old saying is true, if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is.”

Sheriff James Williams said that this is not the first report that has surfaced of local citizens encountering mail scams. In fact, Williams said that the trend is growing, “I’ve got a pile of them on my desk.”

Williams said that he has seen scammers use a variety of angles to try to solicit funds from unsuspecting citizens but there are a few simple guidelines to follow when someone comes in contact with suspicious material.

“First off,” Williams explained. “You have to ask yourself did I enter anything?

“It is impossible to win a prize if you did not enter a contest.”

Williams also urges recipients to check the postmark of the letter. The majority of the ‘scam mail’ originates outside the continental United States such as in Nigeria and Canada. If these letters are from an international location, the grammar and spelling within the letter will often look jumbled and confusing, prompting further suspicion.

Williams also stressed vigilance when encountering suspicious emails and Internet messages as several local citizens have also become the victims of Web scams. The bottom line, Williams said, is to never under any circumstance send a check or money order to the alleged company and always contact local authorities when dealing with suspicious media.