SCAM
Here is the protocol I received awhile ago, when I forwarded a scam email to a real company whose name was used:
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If a fraudulent mystery shop company gets in touch with you, we suggest you make contact with one or all of the following.
1. Your local police department. Ask for the Cyber Crimes department or an investigator.
2. The FBI. Go to [www.ic3.gov].
3. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which handles complaints about deceptive or unfair business practices. To file a complaint, visit [www.ftc.gov], call 1-877-FTC-HELP, or write to Federal Trade Commission, CRC-240, Washington, DC 20580.
4. E-mail service provider such as AOL, Google, Yahoo, MSN. Go to the "Contact Us" page to file a complaint. Remember to provide accurate information about the person or persons perpetuating the fraud so that the authorities can assist you in stopping this activity.
5. If the party is impersonating a legitimate Mystery Shopping Company, contact the real company, and provide as much information as you can. Attaching scanned images of checks or letters is helpful.
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If a fraudulent mystery shop company gets in touch with you, we suggest you make contact with one or all of the following.
1. Your local police department. Ask for the Cyber Crimes department or an investigator.
2. The FBI. Go to [www.ic3.gov].
3. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which handles complaints about deceptive or unfair business practices. To file a complaint, visit [www.ftc.gov], call 1-877-FTC-HELP, or write to Federal Trade Commission, CRC-240, Washington, DC 20580.
4. E-mail service provider such as AOL, Google, Yahoo, MSN. Go to the "Contact Us" page to file a complaint. Remember to provide accurate information about the person or persons perpetuating the fraud so that the authorities can assist you in stopping this activity.
5. If the party is impersonating a legitimate Mystery Shopping Company, contact the real company, and provide as much information as you can. Attaching scanned images of checks or letters is helpful.
May I humbly suggest something here. Maybe a sticky note under the new mystery shoppers thread? Something that could easily be searched and would provide the options available.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
Jacob, help...Lisa your right, we need to renew this every once in awhile.
Live consciously....
We all get this spam/scam. You can try the above contacts but my guess is none of these agencies have time to investigate this type of thing.
Send it to spam and if there is a legit email write them and tell them you are aware of their scam and not to send you anymore and that you are posting it to forums.
Come on Irene you know what to do.
Send it to spam and if there is a legit email write them and tell them you are aware of their scam and not to send you anymore and that you are posting it to forums.
Come on Irene you know what to do.
Oh, my attitude is completely the opposite. The more the applicable agencies are made aware of the problem, the more likely they are to regard it AS a problem! Irene may know what to do, but most of the people who are taken by these scams do not. Many are desperate, and have faced enormous hardships -- we've seen stories right here in this forum.
I've never gotten anything in the mail, but if I do, you can bet I'm taking the action suggested above. If there's even the remotest possibility I can help bring attention to the problem, it's worth my time and effort.
I've never gotten anything in the mail, but if I do, you can bet I'm taking the action suggested above. If there's even the remotest possibility I can help bring attention to the problem, it's worth my time and effort.
You seem to have misinturpeted my post, the check, which was actually sent
in the mail not email. The check in hand should defititely go to
the correct people, and I am now following up...how would you suggest
I send it to spam? New shoppers need to be reminded of this, Nicely said it best..... what good would it do to write the thiefs, would I want them to get my address....just asking. New shoppers come here to find out about these things, and not be drawn into scams. This is important info. as I see it.
cynb Wrote:
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> We all get this spam/scam. You can try the above
> contacts but my guess is none of these agencies
> have time to investigate this type of thing.
> Send it to spam and if there is a legit email
> write them and tell them you are aware of their
> scam and not to send you anymore and that you are
> posting it to forums.
> Come on Irene you know what to do.
in the mail not email. The check in hand should defititely go to
the correct people, and I am now following up...how would you suggest
I send it to spam? New shoppers need to be reminded of this, Nicely said it best..... what good would it do to write the thiefs, would I want them to get my address....just asking. New shoppers come here to find out about these things, and not be drawn into scams. This is important info. as I see it.
cynb Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> We all get this spam/scam. You can try the above
> contacts but my guess is none of these agencies
> have time to investigate this type of thing.
> Send it to spam and if there is a legit email
> write them and tell them you are aware of their
> scam and not to send you anymore and that you are
> posting it to forums.
> Come on Irene you know what to do.
Live consciously....
I think taking anything to local authorities is probably going to be a waste of time. It is not within their jurisdiction. However, the FBI does have a section devoted to these crimes and some have suggested the Postal Inspectors will take action as well.
Equal rights for others does not mean fewer rights for you. It's not pie.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
"I prefer someone who burns the flag and then wraps themselves up in the Constitution over someone who burns the Constitution and then wraps themselves up in the flag." -Molly Ivins
Never try to teach a pig to sing. It's a waste of your time and it really annoys the pig.
I recall Doug Rector was collecting the checks at one point to present to the authorities. Why not contact him?
....and Doug, it you are reading this, can you repost info on the best approach if one receives a check?
....and Doug, it you are reading this, can you repost info on the best approach if one receives a check?
I was looking for Doug's thread on this but couldn't find it. I would gladly
mail Doug the check, I know he is on top of this....thanks Steve.
mail Doug the check, I know he is on top of this....thanks Steve.
Live consciously....
Search all dates using the word "ziplock" and you will find his post. That seems to be the only way I can find it and I remembered he had mentioned putting the stuff in a "ziplock" bag. Ignore all the posts from me with "ziplock" as they were just quoting what he had indicated.
Edited to add: For a while he was collecting the materials but I think "ziplock" was his most recent post on the matter.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/17/2012 07:41PM by Flash.
Edited to add: For a while he was collecting the materials but I think "ziplock" was his most recent post on the matter.
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 03/17/2012 07:41PM by Flash.
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