Widow warns others of work-at-home scam

It is one of the fastest growing scams in the nation with losses totaling almost $100 million.

"I didn't have a lot. I'm a widow, my money is limited. I watch every penny I have, I know where every penny goes," said Diana McKay.

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McKay was on unemployment and constantly applying for jobs online. She was thrilled when she was offered a job as a mystery shopper. Initially, she received a few money orders in the mail and was told to deposit them into her account.

"Take out 20 dollars to purchase anything I wanted at the Wal-Mart and to report back on how the transaction was handled," McKay explained.

She was then told to go to the Western Union counter in the store and wire back the rest of the money to her employer immediately. Then she was sent a new batch of money orders.

"They didn't realize these were counterfeit money orders they were receiving and the whole job is a scam," said U.S. Postal Inspector Brian Plants.

Inspectors say McKay began feeling something wasn't quite right, so for the next round she proceeded with caution.

"I deposited the $3,400 in money orders at that time. I called him and I told him, 'Until these money orders clear, I can nott carry out this assignment. I do not have $3400 in my bank account,'" said McKay.

After several days, her bank told her the money orders were fraudulent. Inspectors say this scam is on the rise.

"The USPS, UPS and FedEx seized $96 million in counterfeit money orders or fake checks coming into the US," added Plants.

Inspectors warn all consumers to be especially careful when they're offered a job online.  Always be wary of any offer that requires you to deposit a check or money order into your account and send money back to an employer. It's usually a sure sign of a scam. McKay learned her lesson.

"Be cautious. Don't trust everything you see," she said.