Crime and Fire

'Secret Shopper' Claim Was a Scam, Police Say

Lower Macungie woman reported her suspicion before it cost her, troopers report.

Credit a Lower Macungie woman and her bank for realizing that a "secret shopper" claim had a few more secrets to it than met the eye, according to police. Wanda Ivette Valle of the 7400 block of Spring Creek Road took a check that she was to be paid to her bank for deposit and was told it was no good, according to state police at Fogelsville. Valle had received a letter and the check in the mail from Survey America to be paid to become a "secret shopper," a program in which -- when legitimate -- undisclosed participants evaluate the goods and services provided by a business and report their findings. She was sent a check by the company for first assignment, meaning the value and responsibility of guaranteeing the check would be transferred…

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