Complaint Review: Michael Friedman - WA Surveys

If you are looking for a job, please watch out for this one!

This person/company says that it is hiring Mystery Shoppers (Secret Shoppers) and while it all looks and sounds somewhat official, it appears to be yet another wire-transfer scam. Below is the actual email in which 'Mr. Friedman" gives the first "assignment."

The individual calling himself "Michael Friedman of WA surveys" is using the address of 4140 NE Roosevelt Way, Seattle, WA 98105 - this is the address of a hotel in the University District of Seattle. When I called this hotel they stated that "Michael Friedman was using the hotel's address without the hotel's authorization."

Please note that this individual also refers to "Shoppers Guide" as if it is also a company name.


Actual email explaining the first "assignment":

-----Original Message-----

From: "Michael Friedman [WA Surveys]"
Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 13:01:55 +0100
Subject: Re: MysteryShopper

Mystery Shopper Position.
Shopper's Guide wants you to run surveys on a few prominent western union
locations in your area (the locations are within 10 miles
from your zip code, you will be filled with the exact details).
The Western Union location was reported for evaluation for the following
reasons:
1) Customers have reported their money missing.
2) Slow services.
3) Unbalanced transfer charges.
4) Rudeness to customers.
5) Late opening time and Closing before time.
Your Evaluation at the first western union location would be:
1) To make a transfer of funds from this western union location to another
mystery shopper (we will provide with the needed
funds).
2) You will have to record the time you spend sending the transfer.
3) You will also provide the name of the cashier that attended to you.
4) Make a detailed report about your personal impressions as an average
customer.
To complete the surveys we will send you the money to cover your $100
commission and the money you need to use at the western
union location.
Upon receiving the funds, the exact instructions of the survey will be
forwarded to you.
There is no specific time to do a survey, however the report is to be ready
same day you receive the funds from us.
You will have to keep a comprehensive report on every activity you carry out
and send it by fax to our office.
If you are interested in becoming a mystery shopper confirm that you are
ready by replying to this message with "I AGREE".

Thank you,
Michael Friedman
WA Surveys
4140 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105


He must be getting smarter - another email explaining the 1st assignment:

-----Original Message-----
From: Michael Friedman [WA Surveys] [mailto:michael-friedman@XXXXXXX.net]
Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2008 5:22 AM
Subject: Re: Mystery Shopper Position

The training consists in three evaluations which are to be made over a period of time of one week. The training surveys are also
paid with $100 each.
Being accepted for the training doesn't mean you're already hired, it all depends on the quality of your reports.
After the training period you will receive all the needed documents to fill and sign including the tax form, and from that point
you will receive assignments on regular basis.
The maximum is one assignment per day, seven per week. You will have to let us know your optimal times available.
During your one week training period, the first set of surveys you have to do is at a few western union locations in your area,
within 10 miles from your zip code, you will receive the exact address and instructions at the right time.
The task is to go there as a customer and tell them you want to use their service to send money to a friend.
The funds will be received by another mystery shopper who is also making an evaluation.
You have to be very natural but at the same time focus on small details as we need a comprehensive report from you.
Your report should include:
-how courteous the attendant is.
-how clean the location is.
-whether or not your presence was acknowledged within a short time of arrival and if you were greeted in a friendly manner.
-description of the attendant's clothes, whether they are professional or not.
-how well they know their services.
-exact amount of minutes you spend at the location.
-any other strange or unusual thing you may notice while you are there and worth mentioning.
-how would you rate them (Excellent, Good, Fair, Poor).
Make sure you start writing down notes as soon as you finish the survey so you don't forget important details.
To complete this first task we will be transferring you the funds needed for the survey($889) plus your $100 commission.
Since we are banking with Citibank, as our employee you also have to open an account with Citibank so we could wire transfer the
funds to you in no time.
Dealing through other banks would cause delays, that's why a Citibank account is required for the Mystery Shopper position.
You will be the only person able to access the account. We will wire transfer the funds needed for your first survey as soon as
you have the account ready.
Please confirm that you understand the above requirements.

Thank you,
Michael Friedman
4140 Roosevelt Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105


What the WA state Attorney General's office states about this type of "employment":


Secret shopper programs: After responding to a help wanted ad to work as secret shopper, your first assignment is to wire money. You are sent a phony check with instructions to keep some for payment for your work and wire the rest. Residents in Oak Harbor, Aberdeen and Ocean Shores have recently been tricked by this scam.

How to protect yourself: Never accept a mystery shopping job that requires a wire transfer or one that requires that you pay money or use your own bank account. Also be skeptical of mystery shopping promoters who guarantee a job, charge a fee, sell directories of companies that provide mystery shoppers, or advertise in a help wanted section or by e-mail. Find information about legitimate companies on the Mystery Shopping Provider's Association Web site at www.mysteryshop.org .

Work at home schemes: Consumers are offered part-time jobs as international relayers. Their task is to deposit checks into their personal bank accounts, keep a small percentage as a commission, and relay the rest by wire transfer to their new employer. The checks are often worthless. Other times, they are written by victims who purchased merchandise from an online auction but never got the goods. These same thieves, now armed with your banking information, can use the numbers to create a demand draft to make an unauthorized debit from your account.

How to protect yourself: Avoid job listings that use the terms money transfers, wiring funds, and foreign agent agreements. Never forward or transfer money from any of your personal accounts on behalf of an employer. If a legitimate job requires you to make money transfers, the money should be withdrawn from the employer's business account. Never provide your bank account information until you are hired, and then only to a legitimate employer if you choose to have your paycheck deposited electronically.

Nigerian fund-transfer scams: Claiming to be Nigerian officials, businesspeople or the survivors of former royalty, scam artists offer to transfer millions of dollars into your bank account in exchange for a fee. Other times, they offer to let you keep a portion of the money or donate it to the charity of your choice. If you fall for the initial pitch, you may be asked to provide your bank account numbers. You'll also be asked to send some money to cover transfer costs and attorney's fees. In the end, you get nothing. Meanwhile, the con has vanished with your money and personal information that may be used to steal your identity.

How to protect yourself: Never send money or personal information to a stranger. Ask yourself, Why would this person want to trust me with their money? If something seems to good to be true, it usually is. Washington and other states negotiated an agreement last year with Western Union to help reduce fraud. Under the agreement, Western Union now displays warnings on the front page of its Send Form, which is used for wire transfers except those to Mexico. The company also will pay nearly $8.2 million toward a national consumer awareness program.


http://www.atg.wa.gov/askcolumn.aspx?&id=11962



Tired of getting scammed
Portland, Oregon
U.S.A.