- Report: #513410
Complaint Review: winthrop marketing group - minnetonka Minnesota
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winthrop marketing group
11100 wayatza blvd minnetonka, 55305 Minnesota, United States of America
Phone:
9529360226
Web:
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winthrop marketing group, winthrop resources corp also victims of fraud minnetonka, Minnesota
A mystery shopping scam using the name and false (but very legitimate looking) forged check from Winthrop Marketing Group/Winthrop Resources Corp. of Minnetonka, MN in the amount of $3,485.00.
Instructing "mystery shopper" to deposit check, wait to clear then proceed with 2 assignments. Assignment #1 being the evaluation of any Western Union (RED FLAG!!) location by sending $2,840.00 + service charge of $135.00 to Sheraun Price London England United Kingdom. Evaluate services, fax market response and proceed with assignment #2. Assignment #2 instructs mystery shopper to shop @ Kmart, GAP, JC Penney, Wal Mart or Sears. Spend $100.00...fill out and fax market response form to 1-954-206-0175. The remaining $410.00 is your salary for promptly completing both assignments. Once all forms and receipts have been faxed approx. 10 days later the check is returned as refer to payee.
Later I found that the address, name and checks are being used illegitimately by UNKNOWN individual(s) with a phone # that is actually listed in Canada (Sophia)1-514-663-0245 and now no longer available. The fax # still works, but who knows where it is located. Making Winthrop (which is an actual legitimate co.) also victims. I have spoken to the real Winthrops Jeff Ripperton 953-936-0226 and he advised me that they are aware of the scam, but fortunately (for them) they have not suffered any monetary damages. They also filed a report w/ local Minnetonka Police, but say that nothing more will actually happen!
I have filed reports with BBB of Grand Rapids MN, The Office of Minnesota Attorney General, Lori Swanson 800-657-3787, my local Police station, being Carmel Police 845-628-1300 in Mahopac, NY 10541, formal complaint with Western Union 800-325-6000 , A report to Minnetonka Police officer, Shelley Peterson @ 952-939-8574, a fraud complaint with my bank 800-935-9935 Chase Manhattan, and the bank on which the check had been drawn, TCF National Bank Ann Arbor MI 48104. NOBODY can do anything!
I am urging any victims to contact me, Jill directly @ (((redacted))) so that maybe the more victims that get together the better chance we may have to locate and prosecute these THIEVES!!
Jill K. Mahopac, NY
1 Updates & Rebuttals
Giselle
Any city,North Carolina,
U.S.A.
Mystery Shoppers
#2Consumer Comment
Sat, October 31, 2009
Well, it looks like you are taking the right steps. This scam, unfortunately, has been going on for a few years and doesn't look like its stopping. I read all the time about people getting surprise checks in the mail for 2-5 grand and cashing them and wiring the money and then being shocked when the bank holds them responsible for a forged and stolen check. If people would only stop and use common sense and ask themselves "would someone really send a large check to a person they don't know and expect that stranger to return the majority of the money"? (the answer is no).
RE: mystery shopping. If you sign up with a company and are sent anymore checks, void them immediately. If a mystery shopping company wants you to send THEM money, in order to get started (like a sign up fee), run in the opposite direction. Just remember, as with any job, the employer should be paying YOU and not the other way around.
