Shoppers Market Research Mystery Shopper scam sent me a check for $3,970 and had me moneygram most of it back. Check bounced! New York, New York
I recieved a packet in the mail from Shoppers Market Research company to be one of their mystery shoppers with a starter check of $3970. I had applied to become a mystery shopper and thought that I had got the job. I deposited the check and called the number as I was instructed to do. They asked me to money gram $3400 to any one of these names: Lisa Williams, Aaron Thomas, or Jenny Rios all in a different city in New York, and then inform them if the clerk asked for the proper Ids as part of the study.
I found out last night that the check bounced and that my bank account is now $4152 overdrawn with the additional overdraft fees. I called the company as soon as I saw what happened then called the cops to file a report. A representative returned my call this morning and very shortly after I told the gentle man that their check bounced the line was disconnected. I waited a little while and called the second phone number that I have for them and a man answered and again right after I told him that their check bounced the line went dead.
Terie
san antonio, Texas
U.S.A.
5 Updates & Rebuttals
Edgeman
Chico,California,
U.S.A.
The check didn't bounce...
#6Consumer Comment
Wed, December 10, 2008
For a check to bounce it would have to be from an actual account. That check was a fake.
The scam works by getting the victim to send the money before the bank learns that the check is a counterfeit. I'm sorry to say that you will be held responsible for repaying the money to the bank.
Edgeman
Chico,California,
U.S.A.
The check didn't bounce...
#6Consumer Comment
Wed, December 10, 2008
For a check to bounce it would have to be from an actual account. That check was a fake.
The scam works by getting the victim to send the money before the bank learns that the check is a counterfeit. I'm sorry to say that you will be held responsible for repaying the money to the bank.
Edgeman
Chico,California,
U.S.A.
The check didn't bounce...
#6Consumer Comment
Wed, December 10, 2008
For a check to bounce it would have to be from an actual account. That check was a fake.
The scam works by getting the victim to send the money before the bank learns that the check is a counterfeit. I'm sorry to say that you will be held responsible for repaying the money to the bank.
Edgeman
Chico,California,
U.S.A.
The check didn't bounce...
#6Consumer Comment
Wed, December 10, 2008
For a check to bounce it would have to be from an actual account. That check was a fake.
The scam works by getting the victim to send the money before the bank learns that the check is a counterfeit. I'm sorry to say that you will be held responsible for repaying the money to the bank.
Laurie
Haslet,Texas,
U.S.A.
YOUR FAULT
#6Consumer Comment
Wed, December 10, 2008
That scam is all over the internet -a quick search on Mystery Shopping Scams would have prevented this. Including here on ROR - DID YOU EVEN LOOK BEFORE YOU POSTED?
They use legitimate company names and bogus addresses
There are a lot of ways to check this out
Search on company name.
Try to map the address provided
Brought the check to bank and asked them to verify it BEFORE YOU DEPOSIT IT
Called the bank the check was drawn on.
YOU CHOSE NOT TO CHECK IT OUT FIRST - YOU ALLOWED IT TO HAPPEN.
NEVER CASH CHECKS YOU WERE NOT EXPECTING - NEVER WIRE TRANSFER MONEY TO ANYONE YOU DO NOT KNOW.
No business is going to blindly send out checks for that amount to anyone with hte hopes they will do as instructed. You have to be affiliated with a legitimate Mystery Shopping Service, apply for and be hired to do the jobs. Legit Mystery Shopping jobs never send that amount of money.