i am not going to that website. Other information confirms that mystery shopping has been around for decades and that some people were mystery shopping in the 1940's.

. JM Ridgway was established in 1924. Were they handling mystery shops then?

I received the checks! They sent 2 cashier's checks for $950 each. The bank is GECU, out of El Paso, TX. They sent written guidelines to purchase 3 $500 Wal-Mart gift cards. They are offering an additional $100 if the "shop" is completed in 24 hours.

I took the checks to the local USPS. This location is "special." They gave me a number to call for the IG. I called the number, and they told me to submit online: [www.uspsoig.gov].

I sent a text to the scammers asking for their mailing address to send the gift cards. I didn't buy the gift cards, I just want their address.

Honny, you're brave. Be careful.

Thanks. Nothing can be traced back to me.

I agree that a lot of people are helping to perpetuate this type of scam by allowing their greed to overcome any common sense that they may have. A friend of a friend got one of those $2500 checks, with the instructions to deposit it, shop a local discount store, then send the receipt and $2000 to the address given. Keep the rest as pay. You know the drill. Well, said friend got me on the phone and had me speak with the other person. I told her repeatedly that this was a well known scam and that she would be out not only the $2500, but would also be accountable for all the overdraft fees when the bank did a charge-back on that fraudulent check. Friend of friend kept explaining to me that the check had a watermark and that she was going to deposit it. Why the heck call me then? Of course she lost lots of money when the check came back as phony. She had already written checks (actually ATM payments) to the grocery store, utility company, tv service, etc. She ended up with several hundred dollars in overdraft fees and was out over $5000 in total, all because she couldn't take the informed advice of someone who knew the check was phony. I had a hard time trying to feel sorry for her. The worst part is that people who get ripped off like this spread the word far and wide that mystery shopping is a scam, poisoning the waters for legit companies and shoppers.

The checks I received looked legitimate. There were watermarks and Docugard items on the back. I called the bank they were drawn on to verify them. Of course they were fake.

I wonder if there is a $1,000 limit on check scams.

@HonnyBrown wrote:

The checks I received looked legitimate. There were watermarks and Docugard items on the back. I called the bank they were drawn on to verify them. Of course they were fake.

I wonder if there is a $1,000 limit on check scams.

Many companies print their own checks on secure paper. The scammers steal or otherwise aquire the secure paper. They just have to print their illegal checks using a real routing number. They might even use a real account number. Once you have a companies real check you have everything you need information wise. The special printers that use magnetic ink are easy to acquire.

The numbers at the bottom of this check were so wrong. They put the routing number where the account number should be. Otherwise, the check looked authentic.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/31/2019 09:36AM by HonnyBrown.

Oh, Honny! As Sestra said, be careful!!!!!!!

The secure paper--it is available from specialty paper stores. I once bought a ream of it for a shop i did some years back. It's still in my supplies cabinet, as i have not figured out a use for it yet.

I have been wondering if a bunch of us responded to this scam like HonnyBrown if it would have any effect. Maybe if the time and expense of following false leads would cause the scammer to try something else. Can you imagine hundreds of us leading them on? However just one successful mark for them probably overcomes many dead ends. Maybe we could start a campaign. Safety has to be a big issue though. Any thoughts?

@HonnyBrown wrote:

Thanks. Nothing can be traced back to me.

Maybe I just watch too many crime dramas but I was under the impression that EVERYTHING on the internet is traceable. I worry for you!

I used my former married name, almost address and Google Voice number for text.

@Madetoshop wrote:

Oh, Honny! As Sestra said, be careful!!!!!!!

@HonnyBrown wrote:

I used my former married name, almost address and Google Voice number for text.

@Madetoshop wrote:

Oh, Honny! As Sestra said, be careful!!!!!!!

But the check found you at the “almost” address so the scammer could conceivably too.

What would they do? Call the police?

Sell your info to someone else for whatever they might want it for.

Then those scammers would get reported as well.

Most of these scammers live outside of North America, probably right next to that delightful Nigerian prince who just discovered that I am related to him and wants to give me bushels of money, right after I give him my social security number as ID. (cue the sarcasm music)

The post marks are usually in the USA because there are remailers who will mail hundreds of pre-addressed, pre-stamped letters for around $10 total. So that letter you got from Friendly Small Town, USA probably originated in ScamCity, Somewhere Else. That's why they operate with impunity. They are outside of US jurisdictions, they have very little invested per person duped, and they are absolutely heartless and despicable.

Exactly. The return address on the envelope was from someone in GA. She probably had no idea her account was used as a part of a scam.

I see you are one of Charlie's Angels. Would you please resign? Ugghhhh. I have led telephone scammers on, but that's about it. It's scary enough to know they know my address. FWIW, please use a public computer with a bogus info.

If I were trying to be a fictional tv character, the scammers would be in jail.

Duh

^^^^^^ I was attempting to inflect humor.

I just got a call from Texas saying my SOCIAL SECURITY account is under investigation, and I need to talk to someone immediately, press 1.....his voice was odd, a definite pre-recording, yet scary. The computer has all your numbers, and I'd be careful if I were honny, my mind doesn't go in their direction...if they have your phone, they can get your address, and sell to others, one person can't break the majority of scammers, be very careful.

Irene, I've gotten those calls as well. I reported it to SSA and they are aware of it. I ask the scammer for the code word that is on my SSA account, and they magically get disconnected.