CHESAPEAKE – In these tough economic times, many people are looking to make a few extra bucks and some people are preying on that need.

Authorities are warning about a possible scheme that uses a "secret shopper" job as bait.

Video: "Secret shopping" scheme hits Hampton Roads

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A Chesapeake man applied to what he thought was a legitimate mystery shopping company. 

Authorities say he received a letter and a check for $4,000. He was told deposit the check, buy some things and then wire part of the money to the company’s address in Michigan.

The check bounced and the money was gone.

His bank garnished the man’s direct deposit paycheck to cover the insufficient funds.

Authorities say it’s difficult to track suspects in these kinds of schemes because they pack up and move quickly.

It's not a new scheme.

In December 2005, the Mystery Shopping Providers Association sent an advisory warning people to disregard letters or classified ads that promise fast cash and free gifts by performing mystery shopping and service evaluations.