For car owners, the costs can quickly add up. Between gas, maintenance, and parking, it’s a constant expense. The idea of getting paid to simply drive your car, something you’re likely already doing, by displaying company branding can sound incredibly appealing. Perhaps you’ve even come across offers mentioning a “Sysco Car Decal Promotion Program” or similar opportunities, promising easy income. However, it’s crucial to be aware of potential scams lurking within these seemingly attractive deals.
Unfortunately, car wrap scams are a real issue, and they often target individuals looking for extra income. These scams typically operate by sending emails with enticing subject lines like “GET PAID TO DRIVE.” They lure you in with the promise of substantial weekly payments, often ranging from $250 to $350, just for driving your usual routes with your car, truck, or even motorcycle wrapped in advertisements for well-known brands or events. Sometimes these might even be disguised to look like legitimate programs related to major companies.
The scam unfolds once you express interest. You’ll receive a check, instructed to deposit it into your bank account. Crucially, this is where the deception deepens. You’ll then be instructed to use a portion of these funds to pay a supposed “specialist” who will handle the car wrap installation. The scammers will insist on payment methods that are difficult to trace or reverse, such as money orders, Walmart money services, or direct cash deposits into the “specialist’s” bank account.
It’s only after your money is sent – and no car wrap materializes – that the harsh reality sets in: the “specialist” is the scammer themselves. And that check you deposited? It’s fake. The bank will eventually realize this and deduct the amount of the fraudulent check from your account, leaving you significantly out of pocket. This is how these fake check scams operate:
Have you encountered a scam that resembles this, perhaps even one mentioning a “Sysco car decal promotion program”? It’s important to report it. You can share your experience and help protect others by filing a complaint at FTC.gov/complaint.
