- Report: #492879
Complaint Review: Part Time Job Invitation - Austin Texas
Reported By:
anonymous -
Commerce City, Colorado, USA
Submitted:
Updated:
-
Author Not Confirmed
Why?
Part Time Job Invitation
P.O. BOX 5668 Austin, Texas, United States of America
Phone:
5146493846
Web:
N/A
Categories:
Business Rating:
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Part Time Job Invitation They are posing as Interstate First Financial They sent a fruadulant check stating I was chosen to be a mystery shopper. Austin Texas
You get a letter along with a check for 3,490.00 stating you have been chosen to be a Mystery Shopper/Customer Service Evaluator in your area. You are to go to selected retail stores, restaurants and various establishments and make predetermined purchases and evaluating the consumer service level.
You are then to deposit the check to except the offer and fax back all receipts and exceptence form. And call your assigned agent (Cynthia Love 1-514-649-3846) back to let them know you deposited the check. Then when the funds are available you are to follow through with the assignments they give you.
The first assignment is to withdrawl $3,040.00 and go to a Western Union located in Walmart, JC Penny's, K-mart, Toysrus, Mcdonalds, Macy's, Sears, Ross, Hilton Inn and Target. Transfer $2,900 plus $140 fee = $3,040 to a receiving agent that they give you a list of and tell you wich one to send it to. Once you do that you are to fill out the evaluation form and fax with all receipts and the MTCN #. Then you are to spend $100.00 in one of the same stores. And fax all receipts.
What is left is $340.00 wich is supposed to be your first weeks pay. After this training assignment your salary is to increase to $500.00 per week for three months. And then will increase to $700.00. If you choose to stay with them.
The check is issued from CDX Gas LLC wich is a legitimate corporation. It actually had the correct routing number on it. I also called the bank Harris N.A. in Chicago, IL and gave them the routing number and that is how I found out that the account is real.
But the bank could not give me information like if the check had cleared or not, just that is was an actual business account. And said I needed the company's permission to see if it cleared.
So I googled CDX Gas LLC and spoke with the treasurer, and she comfirmed that it was a fraudulent check and was returned along with quit a few others.
So now I'm out $3,490.00 plus the fee of a returned check. I feel really stupid, I thought sense they were not asking for any personal information that how risky could it be? Well what I didn't take into account is that just because the funds are availabe, dosen't mean the check has cleared!
I just don't want this to happen to anyone else, I hope it helps somebody.
Anonymous - Commerce City, CO
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Laurie
Haslet,Texas,
U.S.A.
ITS A KNOWN SCAM WITH FRAUDULENT CHECKS
#2
Thu, September 10, 2009
NO Mystery Shopping service sends checks for SEVERAL THOUSAND Dollars 1ST RED FLAG WIRING MOST OF BACK 2ND RED FLAG. You have to apply for and be hired by the INDIVIDUAL RETAILER - not the service. So you will never be told to go to Walmart, Target and Western Union in the same assignment. You do not get paid by the service - you get paid the retailer that HIRED you to do the shop which you have to apply for directly with the retailer. If Target hires you - THEY TELL YOU WHAT TARGET STORES TO SHOP - you do not chose. THE SCAMMERS CLAIM OF AMOUNT OF PAY IS GROSSLY MORE THAN THE $20 PER SHOP YOU ACTUALLY GET PAID IN LEGITIMATE MYSTERY SHOPPING. More experienced Mystery Shoppers get more per shop.. THIS IS A CASE IF IT LOOKS TO BE GOOD TO BE TRUE - IT USUALLY IS NOT TRUE! The Secrets of Mystery Shopping Revealed Do you love to shop? If so, you may be tempted by unsolicited emails or newspaper ads that claim you can earn a living as a secret or mystery shopper by dining at elegant restaurants, shopping at pricey stores, or checking into luxurious hotels. But, according to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nations consumer protection agency, marketers who promise lucrative jobs as mystery shoppers often do not deliver bona fide opportunities. What is Mystery Shopping? Some retailers hire marketing research companies to evaluate the quality of service in their stores; these companies use mystery shoppers to get the information anonymously. They assign a mystery shopper to make a particular purchase in a store or restaurant, for example, and then report on the experience. Typically, the shopper is reimbursed, and can keep the product or service. Many professionals in the field consider mystery shopping a part-time activity, at best. And, they add, opportunities generally are posted online by marketing research or merchandising companies. Nevertheless, fraudulent mystery shopping promoters are using newspaper ads and emails to create the impression that theyre a gateway to lucrative mystery shopper jobs with reputable companies. These solicitations usually promote a website where consumers can register to become mystery shoppers after they pay a fee for information about a certification program, a directory of mystery shopping companies, or a guarantee of a mystery shopping job The truth is that it is unnecessary to pay money to anyone to get into the mystery shopper business. The shopping certification offered in advertising or unsolicited email is almost always worthless. A list of companies that hire mystery shoppers is available for free; and legitimate mystery shopper jobs are on the Internet for free. Consumers who try to get a refund from promoters of mystery shopping jobs usually are out of luck. Either the business doesnt return the phone calls, or if it does, its to try another pitch. The Facts of Mystery Shopping Becoming a legitimate mystery shopper for a legitimate company doesnt cost anything. Heres how to do it: Search the Internet for mystery shopping companies that are accepting applications. Legitimate companies dont charge an application fee. Many accept applications online. Do some homework about mystery shopping. Check libraries or bookstores for tips on how to find companies hiring mystery shoppers, as well as how to do the job effectively. You can visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) website at www.mysteryshop.org for information on how to register to be a mystery shopper with a MSPA-member company, a database of available jobs, and additional information on the industry in general. The MSPA also offers certification programs for a fee. In the meantime, the FTC says consumers should be skeptical of mystery shopping promoters who: Advertise for mystery shoppers in a newspapers help wanted section or by email. While it may appear as if these companies are hiring mystery shoppers, its much more likely that theyre pitching unnecessary and possibly bogus mystery shopping services. Sell certification. Companies that use mystery shoppers generally do not require certification. Guarantee a job as a mystery shopper. Charge a fee for access to mystery shopping opportunities. Sell directories of companies that provide mystery shoppers. If you think you have encountered a mystery shopping scam, file a complaint with your local consumer protection agency, the Better Business Bureau, your State Attorney General, or the FTC. The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues , visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network , a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad. January 2009
