Complaint Review: Spectrum Research Group

I also received this letter:

I recieved a check on January 28th, 2009 in the amount of $3,934.00. Below you will find all the information that I had recieved along with this check. It is a scam be aware!

Spectrum Research Group
Make a Difference: Become a Market Force Information Shopper!
232 Sandringham Drive North Moraga CA 94556 Fax: 1-888-789-0799

Date: 01/12/2009

Position: Customer Service Evaluator
Representative ID: LK-2398

This is to infrom you that based on previous survey by our affiliate Consumer Survey Specialist you indicated to be interested in an additional income on part-time basis. You are hereby selected to particpate in a paid Consumer Research Program in you area of residence as a Mystery Shopper. As on of the Research personnel selected under this program, you will be a Consumer Service Evaluator of selected retail stors, restaurants and various establishments, amking predetermined purchases and evaluating the Consumer Service level of the stores and service providers.

This research program is a fully paid program and would become a permanent part-time position for a selected few who are able to distinguish themselves int eh course of this prgram. After this training assignment, your salary will be increased to $500.00 per week for the first three months. Additionalincrement of $600.00 per week will follow after another three months if you choose to stay with us.

Upon acceptance of this offer, your paid training assignment begins immediately. This self-training assignment is designed to equip you with the right information necessary to effectively carry out your assaignment as Research Personnel under this program. This assignment has been put together to be completed in two different locations. The first evaluation will take place in on the these Locations Wal-mart, K-mart, Macy's, JC Penn, McDonald's, Sears, or Target. The second evaluation will take place in one of the Money gram locations. The objective of this assignment till be to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the payment system called Money Gram or any spceified Financial Institution.

Enclosed are the required funds to cover you assignment. Below is the breakdown of the enclosed check.

Probation training first week pay.....................$374.00
Money Gram including service fees..................$3,500.00
Required funds for shopping Wal-mart.............$ 40.00
Sears..................$20.00
Total........................................................$ 3934.00

Please call your Assined Agent, Michael Summers or Laura More at 1-888-681-7963 to confirm the receipt of your check. And fax all copies of your evaluation sheet to 1-888-789-0799.

Sincerely,

Frank Buffalo
Director, Human Resources




I deposited the check into my account, but was smart enough not to touch it until I was certain it cleared....which it never did. The bank ended up debiting my account and for the $3934.00, and I was at the same spot as I initially started.

Alize
el paso, Texas
U.S.A.