Mystery Shopper

870 reports /

Unresolved

Text and E-mail Mystery Shop Scammer

by: sliston
#139
Jan 6, 2016
Monetary Loss: $0

Today I had received a text message from this scammer. He had apparently found my information through a mystery shopper search. I decided to check to see if it was legit. I had him message me back so that I would have the full name and to see what all of it was about. He sent me a text message about a supposed mystery shop which would involve him sending me $2450 telling me that I was to send $ 1750 to a yet to be disclosed receiver. The second task was that I was to buy $100 of any items of my choosing. Then I was to send an observation of the workers. This really sent up red flags. I check out the mystery shop companies I work for and I definitely did some checking up on this one because I found it fishy that he was sending a $2450 check. I began and online search seeing that this guy has scammed other people. It was under a different name, but it was similar to what has happened to other people.

http://www.kiplinger.com/article/credit/T048-C011-S001-don-t-fall-for-this-walmart-mystery-shopper-scam.html

I am even sending a couple print screen images of the e-mail. I made it seem like I was interested, but for him to give me details in order to look up whether or not this was a scam.

I just put a dollar on it so that I can post this, but did not lose any money. I just want people aware.

Names reported:: James Fidon
Phones reported:: 605-496-7758
Web/emails reported:: [email protected]
Identity Theft Risk:: HIGH RISK Click here for the explanation.

ATTENTION: If you've been contacted by secret-shopper scammers, your personal information may have been breached. #REPORTSCAM highly recommends that consumers whose information has been breached obtain identity theft protection service immediately. There are several companies that offer identity theft protection in the US. One of the most inexpensive options we were able to find is the protection offered by LifeLock. You can start your protection here.
Disclaimer: The information and opinions contained on this site are not endorsed by LifeLock. #REPORTSCAM receives compensation from LifeLock. This helps support our scam prevention efforts.

Unresolved

Try to make my fiance cash a check

by: Izzy0114
#175
Jan 8, 2016
Monetary Loss: $0

They send him a paper and check for 1997.20. And tell him that he need to send the number to money transfer.

Names reported:: Mark Antonio, Wayne Humphrey, Rafael Martinez
Phones reported:: 480-526-7525
Web/emails reported:: [email protected]
Identity Theft Risk:: HIGH RISK Click here for the explanation.

Unresolved

I have been scamed by Josh Steven

by: scam10000
#278
Jan 12, 2016
Monetary Loss: $2700

I sign up to be a mystery shopper online and got scam. I was send money orders to deposit in my account and evaluate my bank, western union, money gram. do a survey after sending the money to josh steven and reporting to mystery shopper.

Names reported:: Josh Steven
Web/emails reported:: [email protected]
Identity Theft Risk:: HIGH RISK Click here for the explanation.

Unresolved

Fraud

by: jacobsmelanie74
#280
Jan 12, 2016
Monetary Loss: $3080.00

I took on a job as a secret shopper. The company sent me a check for 3000.00 to purchase goods and give a report of how the transaction went including displays. I purchased 2 gift cards 500.00 and the check came back in sufficient and they stole the money from the cards.

Also reported:: PR Research Co
Names reported:: Paul E. Landrum
Web/emails reported:: No
Identity Theft Risk:: HIGH RISK Click here for the explanation.

Unresolved

Mystery Shopper

by: navy
#325
Jan 14, 2016
Monetary Loss: $0

Email invites you to participate which you reply to participate. In less than 2 weeks you receive a FedEx letter with instructions and a check for a large amount of money. Directions were to "shop" on a bank, deposit money, and wire transfer to Poland (after 24 hours).

Names reported:: Todd Hampton, Alexadra Beglo
Phones reported:: 347-695-0827
Web/emails reported:: [email protected]
Identity Theft Risk:: HIGH RISK Click here for the explanation.

Unresolved

Job Scam

by: ajstexas
#341
Jan 14, 2016
Monetary Loss: $2875.00

I filled out an application for a retail secret shopper position which seems legit I had someone email me saying that I was hired and they would send me a check in the mail I received the $2,875 check from Fulton bank in my name which was signed off by Kimberly Schaefer remember was Jenny Hargrave and the letter states welcome estimated secret shopper we're happy to inform you that your first secret survey assignment included with this letter is this funding for the assignment and survey read the instructions carefully have fun make money and help us improve customer service on a global level and then it says my first assignment was to cash at your bank or deposit the check in your bank account and wait for it to clear it should clear within 24 hours after you have deposited and it stated that my budget was $2,875 check to see if my salary was $250 Western Union charges 125 amount to be sent to Turkey $2,500amount to be sent to Turkey under (Gerrick ROGELIO) CITY OF ISTANBUL , TURKEY.so basically they wanted me to send this money to a Western Union after it cleared in my bank account postcode 34000 but I found it suspicious to have just a minimal amount of information like no phone number no clear title no thanks to contact so I proceeded to look on the internet and look up scams under retail secret shopper lo and behold they came up with an email Jonathan Daniel s at secret [email protected] like the scam had said they will let these fake checks clear because by law they have to have to have 24 hours to clear but me being me I didn't go through with it I contact the local authorities and reported them because all they ask me what to do this and tell me to email them back with the western union MTCN number and i would be done and id make 250.00 off doing just that. which I found to be very odd no one gives money away these days I wanted to warn others about this scam thats going on and below you will see the letter and the check looks legit its not what will happen you will cash the check it will go through it's already through in your bank so when they found that its fraud you will be the victim and you will owe the bank the money because the check will bounce and you will get stuck paying them back so please be aware of this game.

Added by ajstexas on Jan 14, 2016 16:37 EST

The address the package came from..... Name Tina Silvestre
ADDRESS KIRKS AUTO
3811 HORIZON HILL DRIVE
LAKELAND FL 33813

Also reported:: Retail Secret Shoppers
Names reported:: Herrick Rogelio
Web/emails reported:: [email protected]
Identity Theft Risk:: HIGH RISK Click here for the explanation.

comments powered by Disqus.Comments:

Author: Matt MusicJunky

Message: you are aiding somebody to scam people. He has created degrees of separation from himself and not revealed his location because he doesn't want to get arrested. You could be facing legal problems, as it could appear to the court that the "I didn't know" excuse is just a lie. You need to be a "secret employee" and get as much information on this guy as you can and pass it along to the FBI. You are our only hope of catching this criminal ring that is devastating people; causing them to miss mortgage and rent payments, not afford medical care, etc because he steals thousands from them. Come, join the good guys and help us take him down. YOu can feel free to reach me personally for help.

Author: retail expert

Message: (Certain the following are Scam details) I received contact from : Daniel Lawrence via online. I was sent via USPS a money order made out with the sum of $998.00 w/remitter's name : Angela Moore. The money order is from PL$ Republic Bank, Oak Brook, Illinoise, 60523. The sender's name/address is : Stacy Johnson, Carmel Banking Center, 613 E. Carmel Dr, Carmel, IN 46032. The enclosed letter with instructions to keep $150 (+ $20 to cover the transfer costs) and send the balance of $818 via Moneygram Money Transer to their affiliate in Texas by the name of Robert Heisler, 9522 Horserace, San Antonio TX 78251 (I googled that mailing address and discovered the house is up for sale and was able to tour the interior and saw a photograph of the owners displayed above their fireplace). After following instructions completely I am to text Daniel Lawrence via 6195774882.

Author: Thrasher

Message: Where did you get the money orders? What kind of money orders are they? They are most likely counterfeit. You need to take the rest of them to the post office. Your savings account? That is a scam. The money could be stolen. It looks like you need to file a police report. File a police report for your protection. I could get you help. Email me at baitj26@hushmail.com Let me know everything.

Author: Linda Bremer Hampton

Message: I just received Contact from James Carr From Online It is a copy leter telling me how to go be a Wal Mart Secret Shopper.I have a $2,950.35 check from a bank the address is correct and the name of the bank and everything so they are smarter.But they want me to put the check in my bank then draw the money out the next day and keep $300 for myself plus 50 to shop and keep and then Moneygram to 2 locations in Tx.$1300. each Really This is a Scam They sent this Priority Mail.

Author: Bonnie

Message: I have been working for Mr. Jim Carr or Jim Giles, he uses both names. I have been printing checks to mail out to secret shoppers and also mailing out money orders to secret shoppers for this individual. He says he is in Paris and he is using me to print and mail these items because it is cheaper than mailing it from Paris. He is paying me $400 every two weeks as promised, and also he reimburses me for the supplies I am using. I am worried that this may be a scam though. It really bothers me. He has also had some one, I don't know who, deposit money in my savings account and then had me send Money Grams and Western Union to individuals over seas. I gave him my savings account number because I do not use that account any longer. I send out second and third secret shopper letters to some of the same individuals, so I assumed that the checks & money orders must be good or these people wouldn't be foolish enough to be dupped a second or third time. But after reading all the information on this website I am very concerned that I may be helping to scam others. Is there any way to verify that this an up and up business? I do not want any part of it if it is a scam.

Author: Vanessa Campos

Message: Mine was even worst when i checked it from where it came didn't say my last name on the package and whats sad about it they know my information because apparently they know i do market researching online and they falsely used a company i work for . their check looked legit till i noticed the astroid was off and too . All that trouble they went to type a paper its funny what these people do ...fool me not twice for victim of check fraud again*

Author: speaktruthe

Message: i am the most recent person to get this scam. Got a check for $2420. Buy gift cards from Walmart, yada yada yada. The cashier's check looks real, but i am a skeptic. I called the bank it's drawn on and they say they can't comment over the phone. Of course, the bank is out of state. Then I think: "why would they send me a big check? how do they know I will not keep all the $$$$$? Still have the check, and am calling police and postal authorities tomorrow. This will only stop if WE act.

Author: speaktruthe

Message: Got this check through priority mail USPS. Anderson Hunt

Author: GOD'S PLAN NOT MINES🙌🙏📖

Message: I have received 3 different scam artist checks and letters. Consumer Research Network. Kenny Risak is the signature.They basically want you to go and buy all these EBAY gift cards scratch the m off and take pictures of them and send them back to them. They want you to put the money in your bank acct. 1st and keep $400.00. The rest of th money I will would spend buying these EBAY gift cards from Best Buy, Target, and any place that sales them. They want you to think you are a secret shopper and that you will be evaluating if they: Said thank you, your over all experience and how long did your transactions take. They are getting better and better. This was my 1st one that came with a letter and a professional appearance. No way to stop them and they say we are safe in the US from warfare of any kind. Yeah right.

Author: Anne Lankford

Message: You all are obviously smarter than me ☹️ I answered an email for a mystery shopper ad from my college email so I thought it was legit. I got my package in the mail - a check, instructions, and survey to fill out. No request for personal information, no investment of money from me so again I thought it was legit. The cashier's check looked real and my bank deposited it. That is until today when they took the money back. Of course now I'm out $2600 and pissed! I feel so stupid for falling for this.

Author: Jacqueline Farmer

Message: I just got a letter with a check for 2890.00. His name is Paul Westbrooke and the company he appears to be working for is Greenlit Research. He said to deposit the check and the money would be there in 24 hours if I wanted to wait for the cash to be in my account. I told him that until the actual money is in my account, I will not touch it. He said that the cashiers check was purchased with cash, so it would be there. My bank told me that it take up to 10 days for the actual cash to get in the bank. I am supposed to get a 20.00 cashier's check make out to AMERICAN KIDNEY FUNDS. Then get some WalMart cards and scratch to show the numbers. This is the second one I have got. The first one has been taken out of my account, because I refused to touch it until the bank it was drawn on had sent the cash to my bank. Don't like this one, and when I applied for the Secret Shopper job, I told them if this was a check to be deposited and taken out in a day, that I would not do it, so don't send it, and they sent it anyway. However, I think it is a scam still.

Author: April Nie

Message: Well first of all in case you don't already know which sounds like you're not familiar a cashier's check is the same as cash the whole point of someone paying to have a cashier's check from their Bank is so the person receiving the check knows that it's a good check and have access to it immediately which is why a lot of landlords mortgage companies etc ask for a cashier's check because anyone can write a check and as we know you can deposit the check and it can get returned for non-sufficient funds but when you get a cashier's check you can only get it from your bank you pay your bank whatever their fee is and it's as if the money has already been taken out of the account so whatever the amount of the cashier's check is will already be deducted from your account so that when the cashier's check is deposited the funds are immediately available as a cashier's check works a lot like a money order when you deposit a money order there is no holding period Because it's the same as cash well that's the best way I can explain a cashier's check because it works exactly the same way only instead of going to a store and giving somebody cash to get a money order you go to your bank and they do it directly from your account.

Author: April

Message: Well your first tip it was fraud should be the money order because money orders can't be made out for anything over $500 which is why if something cost let's say 1700 you need to buy four different money orders