Complaint Review: Consumer Research Company

On March 3, 2008 I received in the mail a letter from Consumer Research Company a member of American Survey Research ORG. The letter stated that because I filled out a survey online with another company called Consumer survey Specialitst indication that I was interested in additional income part-time I qualified to be a mystery shopper with Consumer Research Company.

The official title was Consumer Service Evaluator. Evalutaions would take place in specific stores in my area Gap, Walmart, Macy's, K-mart, Jc Penny and Target, but no specific addresses were given for these stores.

It said I would have one week to complete my assignments as follows:
Spend a hundred dollars in three different stores from the list. Then I would need to send a money gram to someone in the amount of $3,079.50 and pay the $350.00 service fee charged by money gram. Then I would need to fax all receipts to the fax number provided and call David Rogers to confirm assignment completion.

There was a check for the amount of 3,699.50 the letter explained that I needed to cash this check and then spelled out exactly where to allocate the funds:
$130.00 for 2 hours of work shopping at the stores and sending the money gram. $3,079.50 Required funds to be sent. $150.00 Service charge by Money Gram. $300.00 funds for shopping. $40.00 for misc. expenses.

The check looks a 100% real and says its from Market Strategies and comes from an account with Wells Fargo Bank it is signed by Mary Beth Marins.
The only reason I didn't cash the check was I could not reach anyone to confirm that this was legal and I was worried about sending a Money Gram and finding out I was involved with money laundering.

WATCH OUT FOR THIS SCAM

Jennifer
Gresham, Oregon
U.S.A.