Almost got scammed by a secret shopper offer

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I had been actively looking for a secret shopper (aka mystery shopper) type of job. Checked with many sites, tried doing my homework. So, I get a letter via snail mail, with an offer of a secrety shopper job on a trial basis. They enclosed a check, and instructions of what to do with the money, Keep some as a salary, spend $100 at a department store from a list they gave, send a wire transfer. A few bells went off, and my husband and I did discuss it for several days before I decided to follow through. So, I started out setting up a separate checking account..just for this check and any future "earnings". A few days later, I went to the bank to check, and they said that the check had cleared. For some reason I also deposited $150 of my own cash. The check they sent was almost $4000. So, I wrote a check for $200. For some spending money and to do the $100 shopping trip. For some reason I was very wary of the wire transfer of the large amount...Over $3200. So, I decided, wait til the ATM card comes, and use that to pay. I get the ATM card, try to activate it..and BANG..the stuff starts to fall apart. The account was put on hold as possible fraud, they were investigating etc, etc. It turns out the check was fraudulent. I was only responsible for $50..as I had deposited 150 dollars of my own, but withdrew 200 dollars. I lucked out. The guy at the bank said the best thing I could have done was to open a separate account...and to NOT with draw the larger amount just yet. So, I guess the jobs are out there, we just have to be aware.