*****SCAM & FRAUD**** Written all over it. Recently I was contacted by PEOPLE SOLUTIONS RESEARCH GROUP, and received a welcome package for a mystery shopper/Customer Service Evaluator part time position. They sent me a cheque for $1,295, which I have to say, looks legitimate. The first task was to evaluate the services of Western Union in my local area. Their instructions were to cash the cheque and transfer $1000 to an account they would give me over the phone. Funny, because when they "hire me" for the position of mystery shopper, they never ask me for my personal information or even my ID.
I found the following information about similar scam at:
[
corporate.walmart.com]
Here is an excerpt on how these scams work:
The scam artist sends a letter, e-mail solicitation or places an ad in a newspaper or on an electronic message board describing a paid, stay-at-home position in which the consumer will evaluate customer service at large retail stores—businesses with familiar names. In reality, these stores have no affiliation with the scam artist placing the ad.
After responding to the ad, the consumer receives an "employment packet" containing a training assignment, a list of products to purchase at different stores and a realistic-looking cashier's check, often for $2,000 to $4,000.
The "training assignment" is to deposit the check into the consumer's bank account, pose as a shopper and then use wire transfer to send the balance of the check's proceeds (minus the cost of the purchases and the consumer's "salary") to an address outside the United States, often in Canada.
The problem is that the check is fake; so when it bounces—which occurs after the money is wired—the consumer is accountable (in some cases, criminally) to the bank for the entire amount of the fake check, plus additional penalty fees. Also, in some instances, consumers are asked for personal bank account information. The company will then "deposit" money into their account for payment and funds with which to perform their Secret Shopper tasks. These consumers often then become victims of identity theft.
How to protect yourself:
Don't open or respond to unsolicited e-mails asking you to become a mystery shopper or secret shopper.
Never deposit a check you receive in the mail from a "mystery shopping" company. No legitimate business will pay in advance and ask you to send back a portion of the money.
If you have posted your resume to an online job site, verify with the site any job solicitations you receive.
Don't click on or respond to online ads or Web sites offering free gift cards.
Remember, if it sounds too good to believe, it is!
I hope this helps and it will keep you protected from falling into these scams.