What appears to be a check scam made its way to an Exline teenager. But wait said the companies director of operations, we're legitimate.

Jessica Wilkins, 19, received a three page letter and a $2,940 check from Shoppers Market Research on Monday, Dec. 29. The cover letter informs Wilkins she has been "selected to participate in a paid Consumer Research Program in your area of reference as a 'Mystery Shopper.'"

The letter offers the Exline teen part-time employment as a "Consumer Service Evaluator of the selected merchant outlets and service providers." For those who "distinguish themselves in the course of the program" the position becomes a permanent part-time job with the potential to earn up to $800 per week.

The first week of training Wilkins would be required to do two evaluations. She would first evaluate one of seven different large retailers and the second evaluation would be of Money Gram or Western Union.

"This is a hands on self training designed to equip you with the right tools necessary for you to effectively carry out your assignment as an experienced research personnel under this program," states the cover letter dated Dec. 23 and signed by Bolton Phillips, director of operations for Shoppers Market Research. "The objective of this assignment will be to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of a payment system called Money Gram."

The catch, as it were, is Wilkins was asked to deposit the $2,940 check in her bank account and then pay herself $100 per hour to go on a three-hour shopping trip spending $100 at any one of the seven listed merchants. Following a $140 service charge deduction, the remaining $2,400 was to be sent by Western Union or Money Gram to one of two different individuals living in New York.

"Also as part of your training, the merchandises you buy are yours as a bonus and the funds needed to complete the transaction assignment has been arranged and enclosed with this letter," the letter states. "For our verification of assignment completions, please call back with the Western Union Money Transfer Control Number or the Money Gram Reference Number immediately after completion."

Yet something wasn't sitting right with Wilkin's mother, Lisa, and Lora Clayworth, Fast Cash in Centerville manager, where the teen took the check to be cashed.

"She was headed to the bank with the check and I had to call her on her cell phone and say,'You know, you need to slow down and take a breathe, because I don't think this is real,'" Lisa said. "She was out the door before I had the letter and finished reading it."

Jessica's response at first was she couldn't believe her good luck.

"She said, 'Oh my God Mom, I'm going to to go do this. I've made some money.' And I was, oh Lord, Jessie."

Lisa said her daughter may have been targeted because of her online attempts to find "easy at home make a lot of money jobs."

"Young kids going to school think that they can find some good job online and do a little bit of work for a whole lot of money," Lisa said.

The check Wilkins received was drawn on J.P. Morgan Chase Bank out of Dallas, Texas. So Clayworth at Fast Cash called them to verify funds were available to cover the check.

"And this one, J. P. Morgan, is an automated system, so they tell you that it is an active and open account, but they will not tell you if there is funds in the account," Clayworth said.