Beware not all Mystery Shoppers is logit. I am on my way to the bank since I was sent $3940.00 stating it was from a Consumer Research Program. I was to shop at Walmart and one restaurant and to send a money gram to someone in Canada. It looked legit but the check bounced.

I now owe the bank the money. I put the money in the bank and the bank held the check for 7 days. I contacted the bank and asked if it was good to go and they said ok. Then Friday, 3 days later, I received a letter from the bank the check was counterfeit.

I truely believed it was from my online signups for mystery shopping. Every thing about this seemed real.

Beware and do not get into something like this

We keep hearing things like this. Thanks for letting other know. Sorry this happened to you!

This is interesting. While I am reading these posts, I get "The Phone Call" too from a gal named Allison. My husband took the message and the area code is 678. Exactly one week ago today I got "The Check". I noticed the paperwork that it came with was flimsy, and plenty of type-os. The check was from an insurance comapany and the mail came out of Canada. My bank seized the check after I made copies from home. I did not get scammed. My bank knew the difference. They pointed out to me the numbers at the bottom of the check were not in the right place. Although it was an actual check, it had been tampered with. I feel terrible for the folks who did get scammed and I fault the banks for that. I can only hope these posts get to people in time. And I thank the ones who sent the addresses of the places to contact when these things pop up.
Rule of thumb:
*Legitimate companies do not send checks in that amount of money
*They don't ask for money back
*And they don't come out of a foreign country

My son was recently in the grocery store and overheard the manager explaining to a customer that he could NOT wire money to Nigeria because Western Union had flagged the recipient's address as being fraudulent. The customer was irate because he HAD to get the money to his "friend". The manager did find out that the "friend" had sent him a third party check to be cashed to wire the money, and no the customer had never met the "friend" who sent him the check but they had been emailing for several months. There was no way that the manager could persuade this guy to even consider that he might be being scammed.

When times are tough (and even when they aren't), people want so much to believe that the have caught a lucky break that they want to believe anything.

If you have been scammed or if someone has attempted to scam you, then please report it to the US SECRET SERVICE:

[www.secretservice.gov]

And also, PhoneBusters:

[www.phonebusters.com]

Jacob

The Federal Trade Commission has posted general guidelines about how to avoid
scams, which can be viewed here:
[www.ftc.gov]

No legitimate mystery shop company will send you a check and ask you to spend some and send some back. This is no different than the Nigerian scams and others claiming someone died and they will give you XXX dollars if you give them your bank acct #. I am signed w/170 companies for almost 4 years and have never received this scam. I don't know how they got your name and address but I don't believe it is from legit ms companies.

Many legit companies have put warnings on their sites about this.

Here is a recent article where they caught some that were doing this scam:
Feb 21, 2008 17:51 ET
Competition Bureau and Toronto Strategic Partnership Investigation Leads to Arrests in Secret Shopper Scam
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 21, 2008) - The Competition Bureau announced today that following a search conducted yesterday with its law enforcement partners in the Toronto Strategic Partnership, two operators of an alleged "Secret Shopper" scam have been arrested.

Christopher Nduka and Alicia Obermuller of Brampton, Ontario, operated an alleged counterfeit cheque scam out of their home by mailing letters to U.S. residents stating they had won a lottery or were selected to be a secret shopper. The recipients were instructed to deposit enclosed cheques and wire a portion of the funds back to the operators of the alleged scam. However, after the victims deposited the counterfeit cheques and sent the funds, the cheques bounced and victims lost their money. It is estimated that hundreds of U.S. residents have fallen victim to this alleged scam, and have been bilked at least $150,000 in total to date.

Nduka and Obermuller were arrested yesterday after officers found shredded copies of the "Secret Shopper" solicitation letters in their home. A cheque printer and blank cheque stock were also found. The two accused have been allegedly operating fraudulent schemes such as "The Advance Fee Lottery" and "The Secret Shoppers" since January 2005.

"The Bureau is pleased to have undertaken this enforcement initiative against mass marketing fraud in conjunction with its partners," said Andrea Rosen, Acting Deputy Commissioner of Competition.

The Bureau is one of the founding members of the Toronto Strategic Partnership, which also includes the Ontario Provincial Police, the Toronto Police Service, the RCMP, Ontario's Ministry of Government and Consumer Services, PhoneBusters, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, the United States Postal Inspection Service and the UK's Office of Fair Trading. The partnership is a multi-law enforcement agency, formed in response to ever increasing cross-border mass fraudulent marketing schemes.

The Competition Bureau is an independent law enforcement agency. We contribute to the prosperity of Canadians by protecting and promoting competitive markets and enabling informed consumer choice.


AND THIS IS FROM A LEGIT MYSTERY SHOPPING COMPANY SITE:
SPECIAL Fraud Notification
TrendSource, Inc. has absolutely NO affiliation with Shoppers TrendSource, inc.


We have been contacted by numerous persons regarding a national mystery shopper scam involving cashing fraudulent checks. Apparently, a person receives an unsolicited notice stating they have the opportunity to become a mystery shopper. Instructions are provided to make certain purchases, cash a check (usually a very high amount) and wire a portion to a third party. Unfortunately, the checks are bogus, and they are returned NSF leaving the "mystery shopper" who cashed the check liable for the amount.

Shoppers TrendSource, inc. has used a PO Box in Pasadena, TX with a Canadian telephone number (area code 780), but may be using others addresses as well.

TrendSource, Inc. is located in San Diego, CA and has absolutely no affiliation with Shoppers TrendSource, inc. We are a legally registered business providing legitimate Mystery Shopping Services to Fortune 1000 companies.

For further information, please visit:

Consumer Watch - WHAS11.com
OCC - Washington, DC
[www.marketwire.com]

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/01/2008 12:35AM by bugspost.

I signed up for a company and noticed that I had transposed two of the letters in my last name. I went back in and fixed it. I later started getting bombarded with spam and offers similar to the ones you described or ones telling me I won a lottery, etc. I usually get two of each one of these emails - in one my name is spelled correctly and in the second one, my last name is spelled with the same two transposed letters. Hmmmmmmmmmmm . . . .

What company was it you signed up for with the transposed letters in your name?
Just curious to see if I am with them.........I receive emails like that in my spam folder but because I am such a freebie junkie and go to so many freebie sites...I imagined my email address was obtained that way. Of course, Comcast has told me that spammers can simply pick a letter like B and spam every user on Comcast that starts w/ a b.......I get emails not even my name every day but at least it is in my spam folder.

I just received an email about my WAMU account security alert........to click on the link to fix the problem...this is obviously a phishing scam........thing is I don't have a WAMU account........HA HA!! Just like we get those damn paypal and ebay emails about updating our accounts or security alert.

Nowadays, we all have to be so careful..........scary stuff....

FYI to all

I received this today. It had a very official IRS logo at the top of the email. Notice the punctuation in the $ amount.
I went to the IRS website and learned that they NEVER INITIATE communication via email. I promptly forwarded it to their phishing link.
PS I did not open the link shown in the email.

From: "service@irs.gov" <service@irs.gov> Alert
Subject: 2007 Fiscal Activity - $2839,49 Refund
Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 15:11:34 -0400


After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have
determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $2839,49.
Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 3-9 days in order to
process it.
A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons.
For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.

To access your tax refund, please click here


Best Regards,
Tax Refund Deparment
Internal Revenue Service

© Copyright 2008, Internal Revenue Service U.S.A. All rights reserved.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 04/01/2008 03:11AM by JoanG.

IRS does communicate by email but ONLY if you have posed a question to them through their website. When we were settling my Mom's estate we had a few questions and they were very clear in their responses. I have seen the random emails in the hotmail email account I use for signing up for non-MS stuff. I have had my gmail account open for MSing for several years and receive no spam (unless you want to count the shops that pay too little ). My hotmail account gets phoney "notices" from banks and credit cards where I don't have accounts that someone has been trying to access my account with a "handy" link for me to supposedly go verify my transactions. Phishing for Paypal and eBay information also seem to be favorites

I stand corrected. What I should have said is that the IRS does not INITIATE contact through email.
Yeah, I get at least one PP phishing email a week too. I added their phishing addy to my contacts and forward them.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/01/2008 03:11AM by JoanG.

I stand little chance of falling for a phishing scheme because my hotmail account is not linked to anything I care about. So when emails show up about "my account" I immediately know it is a phish. But if I am registering for a contest or doing a hotel reservation as part of a shop etc. it is the address I give. It is also the address I give friends and relatives who insist on forwarding jokes to their nearest and dearest 50 friends, including the email addresses of all recipients who have previously received the joke as well as the current recipient list. I figure those kinds of "live" address lists are a huge source for spamming and scamming.

I recieved the same two checks like Pat's last week and took one to the bank and asked the teller, she said they were scam's and this little hick bank is noe recieveing about 2 counterfeit checks a day. When times are tough we want to think that a little prayer has been answered, just think for those of us that quailify on May 1st we will get some help.

It's sad but "if it seems too good to be true, then it probably isn't!" applies to everyone everywhere. If someone offers more than 50 dollars be wary. Check the Better Buisness Bureau or post on here to get feedback! $3940 is a little bit too much. I am so sorry to hear about all the scams. One site to report scams to is spam@uce.gov.

I want to sign up with this company PRO SHOPPERS has anyone heard anything bad or good about them? They also want $9.95 a month to have access to there web site to select shops is this common practice?

thanks

Never heard of them. My initial reaction was that you were talking about PRO REVIEW (REVIEW not SHOPPERS) which is legitimate. Paying to shop is NOT a common practice. Satisfaction Services suggests you pay a membership "to get better shops" but what I have heard from fee paying members is the same as the shops non fee paying members are seeing. There was one legitimate company, I think it was Solomon??, that wanted to charge $75 for their training to join, but I know no one who signed up with them and I don't even see them on the Volition.com list.

There are a whole lot of folks out there who would like to relieve you of some of your cash and IT IS JUST NOT NECESSARY TO PAY TO SHOP or to pay for leads or to pay for training. If you choose to buy these services, that is a choice and not a requirement. There are too many companies to shop for that do not charge and that freely post their jobs to spend your money.

I get monthy emails from (supposingly) Bank of America where my account is, stating I need to update account info. I send them to Abuse@bankofamerica like they told me too. This is a huge scam to get your info., and get into your account. Email addresses are easy to get, but, do not respond or open, once you open them, they know they have a valid address. I have never been scammed by a ms, try to be careful....and aware.

I recieved a check today from a MS and at the top it is sponsered by "SASSIE", the check is for 5,000$ and is sent ny Tanya Reeves, my "scheduler" for this area. The letter is post msked from France, well its in frech anyway. It has law codes listed and everything. They are getting fancy, it really shocks me that people say this stuff ins't new news, but, This month is the first time I have ever been sent these letters or emails. It seems that once tey get your email address they can get all your info. off the address. How else do they know your phone number and address?

I wonder how a msp could be "sponsored" by a software program?????LOL

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/05/2008 01:43AM by JoanG.

My mind is turning off...too much out of body experiences on this forum.

Hey yall the FBI emailed again this morning...........LOL I have demo's and shopping to do today, talk to yall later. Bye
Shop 4 u, feeling some dejuvou? LOL

Kristee, I don't know what your talking about, feeling dejuvou...the FNI never emailed me.

I received these emails in my spam folder todayI get at least one a day)


Goodday,

My name is Mr Jack Parkinson, I work in the Euro Lottery. I am soliciting your assistance for a swift transfer of 4,528,000 GBP, should you be willing to assist me in this project you will be giving me just 10% of your winnings.


Just as a brief, due to my position in the company I can make it happen that you would be a winner of the above stated amount, naturally every body would like to play a lottery if they are assured of winning. I am assuring you today to be a winner, please do not take for granted this once in a life time opportunity as we both stand to collectively gain from this at the success of the transaction.
Should you be willing to assist me in this transaction please do respond to my secure e-mail: jackparkinson65@yahoo.co.uk

Regards,

Mr Jack Parkinson


# 2

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENCY
ALHAJI UMARU MUSA YAR'ADUA (GCFR)
ASO- ROCK, GARKI ABUJA
NIGERIA.
Our ref: ATM/13470/IDR Your ref: .....................
Attention:
SUBJECT: NEW SWIFT CARD PAYMENT OF YOUR CONTRACT/INHERITANCE
FUNDS.
This is to officially inform you that we have verified your contract/inheritance
payment
file and discovered that the reason why you have not been able to receive your
contract/inheritance payment after fulfilling all stipulated obligations and
documentations is because you have been dealing with impostors and none staff of
the
CBN. To this end, all your efforts to secure the release of your fund failed. We
therefore wish to advise that continuing with such illegal acts to claim your
contract/inheritance funds will further frustrate and stop your payment claim.
We have received the express mandate and instructions of the President, Federal
Republic
of Nigeria: Alhaji Umaru Yar'Adua GCFR together with the EFCC Nigeria, the
Interpol and
the FBI to commence the immediate release of your funds through our swift card
payment
center.
Based on the President's directive, we have concluded arrangements for the
release of
your payment. The payment will be concluded through our card center which will
send to
you an ATM CARD that you will use to withdraw your contract/inheritance funds in
any ATM
MACHINE CENTRE in the world with a maximum of $500 to $1,000 United States
Dollars
daily.
However, Note that this method of payment will be granted if it is acceptable to
you for
the release of your contract/inheritance entitlement.
In View of this, you are advised to contact the Director (CBN, IRD, and ATM)
BARR.OHAMBA
ALFRED for further information with the following contact details;
Email: barr_alfredohamba@yahoo.ca
You are required to provide the following information:
1. Your full name.
2. Phone and fax number.
3. Address were you want the ATM Card to be sent. (P.O Box not Acceptable)
4. Your age and current occupation
5. Attach copy of your identification.
The ATM CARD PAYMENT CENTER has been mandated to issue out
$5,000,000.00 (Five Million, United States Dollars) only as part payment of your
Contract/inheritance entitlement for the 2008 fiscal year.
TAKE NOTICE: That you are warned to stop further communications with any Other
person(s)
or office(s) different from the staff of the ATM Card payment center or
BARR.OHAMBA
ALFRED to avoid delays in receiving your contract/inheritance payment claims.
This
measure is intended to stop the Impostors you have erroneously been dealing
with. You
are to adhere strictly to our code of conduct, which is (ATM-13470) which you
will have
to indicate when contacting the card center or BARR.OHAMBA ALFRED, by using it
as your
subject.
Finally, for further discussions, you are advised to email the Director CBN,
IRD, ATM,
BARR.OHAMBA ALFRED on:
Email: barr_alfredohamba@yahoo.ca
As soon as you receive this message for further update.
Regards,
Dr. Andy Uwazuike ( HON )
Secretary to the Presidency.

#3

Pleasant day,
If you have access to a computer, you can get paid.
Would you like to work online from home and get paid weekly? If yes,
MercadoLibre Limited is glad to offer you a job position in our
company,You can easily make $700-$2000 weekly.
Contact Mr. Claude Jackson for more details.
mercadolibrelimitedjoboffer111@googlemail.com
==========================================
Thanks for your Co-operation

Gosh Bugs, you get some really special stuff Claim it all and you will be able to retire! And here most of my spam is for $1 per pill Viagra without a prescription; that lovely young girl all alone in an internet cafe in Eastern Europe who wants to make the acquaintance of a nice gentleman like me; potions, creams and pills to enhance my manhood. All very useful things for a gal . . .

Can you imagine how many ATM machines I will have to go to with that card to collect my $5,000,000.00 (Five Million, United States Dollars) ?? especially since I can only withdraw a maximum of $500 to $1,000 United States
Dollars daily. Prolly take the rest of my life to get my money...DARN IT!!

Such suffering! But you could probably survive on $500 per day. (Don't know why, but that reminded me of the books of my youth about "Europe on $5 a day"--wonder what those books are titled now?)

Shop 4 you, you said out of body experience.
Hey, I get the same letters Via snail mail amd email. I too am a millionaire, we can tour the world together ATM to ATM. LOL I am sure I could live off of 500$ a day. 500 times 30 = 15,000 a month. WOW Maybe that isn't that much, a friend of ours was a construction supervisior, and thats what he made. Now he is back driving a truck, avergeing 1,000 a week. His wife calls me everytime she writes out the checks for the bills and says things like "I hate being poor, this ___ is for the birds." We spent New Years with them and we sat and listened while they told us thier plan on what goes first, (back to the bank) due to the recession. They have a single wide trailor on 30 acres, that goes last. First are the 4 wheelers and ATV's. At 15,000 grand a month I can't believe they owe any money? When she calls I try real hard to have sympathy, but it physically makes me ill to be nice. She went and applied for foodstamps, and when they told her, her husband made too much (1,000 weekly) she called raising hel#. Can someone email me back and help me get impathy? I tried to open up the world of shopping, but she was not receptive. She says its sounds like more trouble than its worth.

It is a national plight that most Americans live beyond their means. There is much more emphasis on "having" than on "saving" and so many folks who may have been barely living within their means are in trouble now that they have less. Those who have been living beyond their means are doubly in trouble now that they have less. I feel blessed that I grew up in a household where money was "tight" but I never felt we were "poor", but with the mindset of my parents, if there had been half as much money coming in or twice as much money coming in that same sense of "tight but not poor" would have been maintained. It taught a lot about the value of saving, the value of delayed gratification and the notion that, "If you can't make both ends meat, make one vegetable." [Yes, I know that is a perversion of the saying.]

I could live on $1,000 a week and do quite well. I have been fortunate to have lived on both sides of the scales. After saving for many years and losing everything when the real estate market crashed in the early 90's, I now have a different outlook. We never need as much as we want but we should always need what we get.