I received a money order today from the USPS for $975 from Research Master's Inc. they want me to keep $175 and buy 8 $100 itunes cards and shop the setup. Is this s legit company or a scam?? Anybody?? Thank you so much in advance for the feedback!

It sounds like a scam because legitimate companies do not send you money BEFORE you do the work. Would you send money to somebody about whom you knew nothing before they performed whatever service you requested was done? A money order? Take it to the Post Office and mention your concerns. I am willing to wager that it is a money order that has been tampered with if not just outright forged for both the document blank and the imprinting. Under no circumstances should you deposit the money order to your bank.

See these posts: [www.mysteryshopforum.com]

This was discussed here on the forum last year.

And the year before that, and this year...

We really need a separate section for scams....

The only time I have received money before a shop was when I was buying up items that had outdated promotions on them... but it was certainly a much more modest amount. I was sent something like $175 on a prepaid visa card to purchase the canned food with.

Think about it. If indeed "Research Master's Inc.," with incorrect use of the apostrophe in their name, was legitimate, don't you think that they would send the money order to one of their own family members or to a good friend? Why would a "legitimate" company send such a large amount of money--out of the blue--to you? The VERY FIRST red flag to me would be receipt of such funds from a company who doesn't even care that their name does not sound legitimate, as demonstrated by the faulty apostrophe. There is no free lunch.

Take it to the postmaster. It is mail fraud.

OP: Would YOU send someone you never met before a check for $950? Think about that for a minute. The check is fake, you are going to cash it, send off a large amount of it in gift cards? Who does that? NOBODY.

SCAM!!!!!!

Did the letter look like this: If so: SCAM!!

From: Paul - Research Masters Inc <paul.landrum@outlook.com>

Subject: ASSIGNMENT NO:1

Your first assignment check has been posted to you via USPS Priority Mail.
mystery shopping assignment as stated below:

Kindly see attached PDF file for your assignment guideline and commission instruction.

[ASSIGNMENT GUIDELINE]

1: Proceed to your bank or credit union to have the check deposited. Funds will be available immediately or in 24 hours.

2: Deduct USD $350 as your commission and logistics fee.

3: Proceed to nearest Store with Onevanilla Prepaid Cards.

(The cards are available at CVS Pharmacy, Dollar General, Family Dollar, 7-Eleven, Walmart etc.)

4: Purchase 4 Onevanilla Prepaid Cards (Visa or Mastercard) at store. (See below “Samples”).

5: Go to the register and add cash of $500 to each card. $500 X 4 = $2000

6: Evaluate the quality of customer service delivery, condition and arrangement of cards at the store and fill out your
observation in the Feedback Section below (Page 2).
Note: Under no circumstance should you acknowledge that you are evaluating their services as that will deter the purpose of
the program. If asked if you are a mystery shopper, kindly answer NO.
AFTER PURCHASE OF CARDS

7: Open the pack, remove the label in front of the cards and capture clear image of front and back of each card and email to us
along with Page 2 of this document. (Phone camera accepted)
The cards are required for the next assignment. You will also use the funds to carry out future assignments.
This eliminates the need of posting you checks for other upcoming assignments.
Note, after removing label from the front of the cards, do not use them until we instruct you to do so.



FEEDBACK FORM
FILL IN BLOCK LETTERS


YOUR NAME STORE NAME AND ADDRESS DATE AND TIME OF VISIT
Comments:

Three (3) things that could be improved in this store (Services).
1.
……………………………………………………………………………………..
2.
……………………………………………………………………………………..
3.
……………………………………………………………………………………..
4. How long did it take to purchase the cards?
……………………………………………………………………………………..

Thank you for your services.

RESEARCH MASTER’S INC
3524 Yadkinville Road #358
Winston Salem, NC 27106

Yes... almost exactly that type of letter. No letterhead as if I had just typed it myself. Along with a USPS money order for $975

Please take the USPS money order to the post office and turn it over to the postal inspectors.

Here is the contact information we give out when a shopper calls about scams:
• Contact your local (non-emergency) number for the police.
• Report to the FTC at 877-382-4357 or www.ftc.gov
• File a complaint with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center www.ic3.gov
• If you are in Canada, report to the Canadian PhoneBusters at 888-495-8501.

Unfortunately, many victims do not do a google search until after the check is cashed. Then they google mystery shopping and start contacting MSPs. It's always a heart-breaking conversation. These scams hurt the whole industry.

I've received the same thing. it was a usps money order, so there was no risk of it bouncing. what have you learned? i'm suspicious about the next assignment

I got the exact same letter. Payment was a post office money order, so I deposited it without complications. I now see that what I photographed for them is how they make money. They're supposed to send me another "assignment" this week with a bigger payout. If its another postal money order, I'll take it to the mgr of post office. So glad I did some research before I continued with this " company"

Tigerlily,
It is a counterfeit money order. When it does not clear, it will be charged back to your account from your bank.

@Tigerlily wrote:

I've received the same thing. it was a usps money order, so there was no risk of it bouncing. what have you learned? i'm suspicious about the next assignment

Yes there is a risk of it bouncing! It is fake. I pray you STOP before you get ripped off!

@Tigerlily wrote:

I got the exact same letter. Payment was a post office money order, so I deposited it without complications. I now see that what I photographed for them is how they make money. They're supposed to send me another "assignment" this week with a bigger payout. If its another postal money order, I'll take it to the mgr of post office. So glad I did some research before I continued with this " company"

NO NEXT assignment. Please tell me you did NOT send ANY money to ANYONE! That is NOT how mystery shopping works. Please tell me you have not cashed any checks and send ANY money!

Tigerlily, when you initially deposited it, your bank did not realize it was fake. It takes several days for them to discover that it isn't real. What is real is the amount of financial trouble you are going to be in if you wrote any checks against it or sent to the scammers. It's really heartbreaking to think you fell for it and don't seem to realize it.

Poor tiger lily!