Secret Shoppers Inc still going strong!
Photo by: Sebastian Fritzon
Sometime back I had written about a scam called Master Research Inc., a company that swindled money from people by promising them employment. Those who fell for the scam were given to understand that they would be working as secret shoppers testing the payment mechanisms of large shopping malls.
They had gone underground, it was believed, when the going got too hot. Now, it seems, they have resurfaced after a name-change as Secret Shoppers Inc.
Sign that the scam was alive and kicking were received last week. Nancy Timmerman, after responding to an employment ad in the local paper, received a job offer from a company calling itself Secret Shoppers Inc.
Part of the job, she was told was to check the effectiveness and efficiency of Wal-Mart’s money gram facility. For this, the company sent her a check for nearly $2,700 drawn on Pioneer Federal Credit Union, Nampa Branch.
She was told to cash the check and then send part of the money using Wal-Mart money grams back to the company.
Nancy confessed, for a moment she was almost taken in by the scam. She was out of work and desperately looking for a job. Under such circumstances, the company and its job offer looked so legitimate. Then, she had heard about such scams operating in the internet world. It took time for her to realize such scams can and were being run in the ‘real’ (read offline) world too.
She took the check to the Nampa Branch of the bank. They told her the check was a fraud. In fact, over a week they had collected three more such checks, two of them very similar to what Nancy had on hand.
Nancy wished others will be alerted by the incident:
“I just want people to know about this because I don’t want some else to be suckered by it that’s as desperate for work as I am,”
she said.
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June 12th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
I thought something was fishy! I did work legitimately years ago as a gualified secret shopper but I did not make nowhere near a $150.00 an hour! The light went off in my head on this secret research inc! So glad I researched the web before falling into the trap! That saying is so true…if it is too good to be true it probably is! I know everyday people are hurting for money but they really gotta step back and say wait a minute! thanks for your important website! sharon from Cape Cod!
June 12th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
@ Sharon…
This is what makes our efforts worthwhile!
Thank You for dropping by and taking time out to comment!
Best Wishes!
June 19th, 2008 at 11:28 am
I just got my check from these guys. And I thought this all seem real fishy as they send a check and a so called evaluation form and want me to do the Money Gram thing and I get paid $300.00 to do this. I’m thinking to myself yeah I put this into my checking account it comes back a fake and these guys are getting $2700.00 of my money. Not……….I’m heading straight to the police department. I came out on line just to see if this was a legit company and your information proved my suspisions. Thanks so much.
June 19th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
@ Jen:
Glad to have been of help!
Thank You Jen for dropping by and taking the time out to leave a comment!
Best Wishes!
July 2nd, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Well, i just recieved a check in the mail for 2,990.00. The name of this company is called “secret research inc”.
Well, after reading your story, I know that this is deffinately a fraud.
Thanks a bunch
July 3rd, 2008 at 2:14 pm
I cashed it, what do i do now? am i reliable and what can happen to me please respond asap
July 3rd, 2008 at 9:47 pm
@ Jesse…
1. Pls contact your bank, inform them of the scam and take steps to withdraw your check. They should be sympathetic towards you as they must be aware of the scam.
2. Did you give away any bank account or credit card details. If so, pls contact all 3 credit agencies and get credit account frozen.
3. Report matter to the police.
Best Wishes!
July 17th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
My little sister called me this afternoon becasue she knows I have dealth with alot of these online and “snail mail” type offers.
At one time I took it so far as to give the scammer my name and address and (I’m sure mistakenly) recieved over $400,000 in fraudulent American Express traveler’s checks. (I sent the checks and the scammers info to American Express)
As soon as she read the intro letter to me I knew it was a scam so I had her call the 800 number on three way. The woman “Christine Nielsen” gave her spiel and I asked her point blank what would happen if the chek wound up being discovered as fraudulent. She commneded me on being cautious and urged me to chekc out the company website. (I was laready logged in to this site so i was loaded for bear.
We waited about 10 minutes and called “Christine” back and told her we had done a little more searching and found out some details aof their shenanigans. she assured me the info was false and out me on hold. She never came back.
They are now issuing checks from Arizon Federal in Phoenix.
I love playing this game. It’s such a nice break in the day.
July 21st, 2008 at 12:33 pm
I just received similiar thing from secret research inc today, along with a 2890.00 check to “test” walmarts money gram also. Only this check is drawn off of Heritage community bank in south carolina. (I am sure its no good also.). Interesting thing thouch is the money was to be wired to a woman in Canada and the postmark was a canadian postmark, not the south carolina where the company is supposed to be located.
July 21st, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Well, this is the third time this canada based “Boiler Room” has sent me a check with no return address. These checks are bogus! there needs to be a way to get these people brought to justice! I can only threaten these people so much…
July 29th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
My wife responded to an ad in the local paper for a customer service rep. The ad ask her to call a long distance number. Not being sure about the conversation, she asked for more information about the job. She received a check for $2890 and letter. Being the smart lady she is, she recognized a scam and did nothing with the check. Is there something we can do to help stop this garbage?
I searched the Internet for the name of the Bank in South Carolina they were using and notified them of the scam using their name.
July 30th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Received a check from Secret Research Inc. to get paid training of $200 out of a check for $2890. It is for position: Customer Service Evaluator. And send a moneygram to the person named, in Canada for $2550.
The phone no., stamp and postmark are from Canada. Bank was in South Carolina.
Luckily it looked and sounded fishy, it is now in the wastebasket. Thank heavens I realized it before depositing it.
July 30th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
I just received a check in the exact same amount drawn on the exact same bank ($2890.00 drawn on Heritage Community Bank). Thanks to your wonderful website I will be making a trip to the police station first thing tomorrow.
Thanks again!
mary
August 4th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
Omg, i got a check for $2890.00, and i knew it was to good to be true, but i went to a check place to cash it because i knew they would check it out and see if it was real. And of course it wasn’t they said it was counterfit, and actually called the cops on me and i explained to them what had happened and they decided not to take me to jail..But they did take me down to the station for questioning. Scared me to death…So i got on the internet and found this site, and hopefully no one will try to do what i did…Thanks Brooke
August 6th, 2008 at 7:50 pm
I got one of these letters today, with the $2890.00 check, say u are able to get the check cashed, why would anyone send a check for that amount of money and trust that your going to send all of it back but $200.00,
August 6th, 2008 at 11:11 pm
@ Sam…
Precisely!
Best wishes!
August 6th, 2008 at 11:16 pm
@ Veronika, Mary, Nicole, Wayne, Carol, Mary (burrell58aol.com) Brooke, and Sam…
Thank You for dropping by and taking the time out to leave a comment!
Best Wishes!
August 6th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
i also rec’d achech for
2890. from Canada, but the bank is south carolina. I am soooo
glad I found this website before doing anything with the check.
thanks again!!
August 7th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
I am supposed to receive a check for $2900. I will take it to the police station as soon as I get it. We must put a stop to these people!! Crooks, they are and should be caught… Let us all work together to STOP them… Take all checks to police and if possible notify the banks.
August 12th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
I just recieved a letter and a check for $2,890. I am supposed to send a monygram for 2,585 and keep 200.00 for myself. I brought it straight to the police..The name of the bank was Regional …I just wanted people to beware..
August 29th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
i received a check today for 4992.00 from Shopper research inc, i knew it was too good to be so, i got on line and did some research. i was so glad to have read the comments that others have made about the scams. I tore the check up but, if i had read comments earlier, i would have taken it to the police station.
August 30th, 2008 at 3:57 am
I received a check via mail on today for 4,992.00 from SHOPPERS RESEARCH. I was told to keep $350.00, make a purchase at Walmart $50.00,Gap $40.00,Western Union $1,558.00,$99.00 fee,and money Gram $2835.00 fee $60.00.I thank God for Jesus because it just didn’t appear to be good in spirit.I was asked to cash the check and call back on ext. 200.Which was an cell phone number in Canada…This didn’t agree with my husband Correctional Officer Daryl Henderson.The following day all money was returnned and reported to Secu in Baltimore,Md. Please be careful…Cry me a river build me bridge and get over it…return the money…Jail does exist…
September 5th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
I received mail from Shoppers Research, Inc with a check for $4,992 with instructions to keep $350.00, make a purchase at Walmart $50.00,Gap $40.00,Western Union $1,558.00,$99.00 fee,and money Gram $2835.00 fee $60.00.
It seemed too good to be true so I went to the web to check them out and found this site. Thank you guys so much for letting us know about this scam. The check was written against Bank of Gower of Gower, MO. I called the bank and of course the check was a fraud. I sent the check and letter to them at their request so they could open an investigation. Just think of the brain power it takes keep thinking up scams like this and keeping them going - just think if they put those brain cells and power to good use!!!
September 6th, 2008 at 11:21 am
I also received a check fpr 4,992 and I almost cashed it until I just read the comments. now I will be going to the police station.
Thanks you guys
September 12th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
Today I received the phony cashiers check on a Kansas bank for $3250 which I was supposed to cash, keep 10% and wire vs Western Union to a person in Kansas.
My husband insisted it was a fraud so we went to the bank to check it out. The check was a photocopy along with the signatures… the amount which should be embossed on a cashiers check was not. The bank reports that they have received several reports like this in the last week alone.
We all know that “if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is”.
September 12th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
Got the same letter and check today. Knew it was a scam right away. No legit compny is going to send out 4992.00. They would be out of business or locked up in an insane asylum. Called them anyway and after listening to the garbage informed them I was going to not only the police but also the post office as this does qualify as mail fraud. The postal inspectors were actually more interested than the local police.
September 15th, 2008 at 9:19 am
I received the $4992.00 check on the Bank of Gower also. Sent a copy to a policeman friend and to the bank of Gower. Shoppers research was the source.
Also received one for #3850.00 the other day and just tore it up. Don’t remember who it was from
September 15th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Just received letter from Canada, 340 50 Ave SE Vancouver BC T2G 2B1 and check for $2890 today, 9/15/08, from Secret Shoppers, Inc. with no return address on the mailing envelope. The letter indicates it is for the position of Customer Service Evaluator It is the Money Gram WalMart scam stating it was in response to my phone call to an 800# that gave no information except to ask for my mailing address. This cashiers check, are you ready for this…shows Sooper Credit Union in Denver Colorado! Duh, they aren’t too bright and no one gets paid $150/hr for doing a transaction that probably doesn’t take 5 minutes to complete! I really appreciate this website to vent and prevent others from getting scammed.
September 25th, 2008 at 9:25 pm
I received a check for $4,992.00…With the same instructions as the other people from Shoppers Research, Inc…But the bank in Gower, Mo. said the funds were available…My bank advised not to cash it..After reading all the comments I will take it to the police station…Yes, ANYTHING THAT SOUNDS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE IS NOT!!!! Thanks for your website
September 29th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
I received a check for $2,890.00 to test walmart’s moneygram as well. The letter says to send $2,535.00 to a “relative” in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. $55.00 was to be for the moneygram fee and then $300.00 was my “2 hour evaluation training” pay. This is a cashier’s check drawn on Sooper Credit Union in Denver, Colorado. The company letterhead indicates “Secret Shoppers Inc.“.
September 30th, 2008 at 2:44 pm
I too received an interesting letter in the mail yesterday afternoon that was post marked from Canada. I received a check for $4,999.00 and a form that was asked to call a
905-599-8549 Ext 102 then I was to press 1. Letter stressed that I had to call right away or a stop payment would be placed on check. Unfortunately for these people I called the bank the Cashier’s Check was drawn on Intercity State Bank in Schofield, WI, the Bank is legit however, the check isn’t. Imagine that…..The remitter on the check is S.R Inc. I have since forwarded all of the documentation including the envelope to the authorities.
This is a great website. I plan to save you on my favorites and check in with you from time to time. REMEMBER IF SOMETHING IS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, THEN THERE’S SOMETHING WRONG….
October 1st, 2008 at 12:31 am
@ Beth, Barbara, Mary, Lou Mcilwain, Charmaine Henderson, Juanita L., Trina, Marcia F, Bob, Jerry, LW, Carolyn, Cheri, Yvonne…
Thank You for dropping by and taking the time out to leave a comment!
Best Wishes!
October 3rd, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Also received a check from Hallmark Resource Group with the address of 4141 Governor’s Row Austin , TX 78744 and 591 Willington Rd Suite 1130 London, ON NC 4R3 the check is for $970 and the address on the check is in Tucson, AZ the bank does exist, it’s Tucson Old Pueblo Credit union. The instructions also say to wire money thru Walmart money gram and just to keep $100 for my services, of course this is a scam, looks to good to be true.
October 8th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
OMG! They (secret Shoppers inc.) just sent me a check for 2,450$ and I went to dep. it this morning…I had never heard of the scam. The lady on the phone last night was so kind, I fell Hook line and sinker!
I had a funny feeling after sleeping on it though and decided to look up the Pres. of the co. Addy…Well; you’ll NEVER guess where it was! #600-608 East Blvd, Bismarck, ND…Look it up for a laugh! You’ll definitely be able to tell how I knew IMMEDIATELY it was crap! Anyhow, I knew the bank clerk and she was holding the check waiting for the “First Bank Of Asia”(which BTW WAS a REAL bank!) to open, where they then conf. we were right!
October 8th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
P.S. Don’t forget to put mapquest on Aerial, so you actually SEE the physical address!!
October 8th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
LOL! P>P>S: I attempted to call back the cust serv. # and for the first time I got a recording say the mach. was full and to leave a mess. it has been 4 hours now, with no return….couldn’t hardly get the phone hung up before it rang,(thier rep. calling back) before this
October 9th, 2008 at 10:24 pm
Hi, this is to alert of a new one. “New Vision Advertising” secret shopper testing, you guessed it, Money Gram/Western Union.
They are getting craftier. The mail was Postmarked Canada, The company is addressed in MA, the pick up people for the transfer are from NY, and the check is from a bank in Texas. Our check looks very real, and the person it’s “from” is also a prominent person from a motor company, of course, I don’t think he banks in Texas. This is an alert because if you google New Vision Advertising, there is nothing about scams.
Oh, it’s the same deal, check for $3895.00 We are supposed to keep $300 and wire the rest.
Taking it to fraud dept tomorrow. Thanks for the site. It looked crafty because if you needed to “test” a money gram place, you could send $20…
October 14th, 2008 at 11:51 pm
I got a letter from Mystery Shoppers Inc. No return address on envelope, stamp from Canada. Address on the letter was a legit address in NY, but a phony zip. The web pic of the building looks like a storage facility. The telephone number is Canadian, but the fax number is NY. Doesn’t tell you WHO to contact for more info. Three out of the 4 names listed in the letter (including who the letter was signed by) just happen to be low profile writers or actors from Hollywood. Check was for $4260.00 and was written off Citibank. I’ll be headed to the DA tomorrow.
Thanks for the info.
October 16th, 2008 at 8:46 am
I just received one of those checks the day before yesterday, for me to be an evaluator for money gram services at any walmart. The amount was 2889.00 and the send fee was 55.00 and I was suppose to keep 300.00. I knew this was too good to be true, and when you call the number the person do not explain any real information to you. He just said, did you read the letter? I said yes, He said did you cash the check, and I said no. He said well call me when you cash the check at your bank tomorrow. Something told me to do my research, and I am glad I did, because I won’t be looking crazy at my bank trying to cash a fraudelent check. This is a sick business, and a waste of time.
October 21st, 2008 at 5:18 pm
I got the same identical envelope and check as Chris and Aryn (#37) with the same “car dealer’s signature” and the Bank in Grand Prairie.
I have contacted the bank and I’m waiting on a reply from them.
October 22nd, 2008 at 6:55 pm
I got my paperwork today, from Secret Shoppers, Inc. (mailed from Canada). The cashiers check is drawn on an account at BB&T Bank, supposedly in Englewood, Colorado. The check is for $2885.00.
I got a similar one a few months ago, also out of Canada. For any Canadian ones, you can contact phonebusters.com with the info. It’s through the Royal Canadian Mounted Police website. You can also call the RCMP, they are very nice & helpful.
What should clue people in is, the phone #s on the paperwork they send you never matches the one you initally call.
Also, one piece of advice–KEEP ALL ORIGINAL COPIES OF PAPERWORK YOU RECEIVE!! ESPECIALLY THE CHECK!! Send copies only to whoever you contact.
November 10th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Well my girlfriend got this so called 2890 check also. we actually called the supposably bank that the check is from and they said that the check is a real check written to her and that the funds are available in that account now what.. … Help with some info please……..
November 10th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Oh yeah forgot to mention that she also called the number provided on the letter from the secret shoppers and the guy named peter johnson told her to cash the check and call her back for step by step details as to what to do…. this is in regards to that 2890.00 check for that secret shopper stuff. has any one really researched or is everyone assuming…….ps we havent done anything yet with the check because yes we are skeptical as well but after making the phone calls to the Sooper credit union with which the check is supposably the account holder they said the check is real…. dont know what to do….advise from the people what do you all think…..?????????????????
November 10th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Just got confirmation its a fraud ladies and gents it is a fraud. We got touch with the real sooper credit union and they have been dealing with this since may and if any else has a letter from this secret shopper with a check from some bank out of your state get a hold of them asap and they will ask you to send them that letter with that check um um excuse me that fraudulent check to them for their records and ongoing investigation in trying to stop these people from fooling with are hearts and minds and most of all our emotions especially when money is so hard to come by in this slowly deterioration economy…. May God Bless Us All
November 21st, 2008 at 12:43 am
Hi I would like to know if you have heard anything on a Dr. Peter Johnson Secret shopper. They sent me a check for $3500.00 and want me to send $2850.00 back to this lady and spend $200.00 in two Wal-Mart’s and send them a report on them and keep $450.00 fo my Time. Thank You
November 21st, 2008 at 3:05 am
Hi Daniel!
Smells like a scam, even from a distance.
Also, Jose (Comment #’s 42-44) has independently verified the offer as fraudulent. (Thanks, Jose!)
Pls don’t waste your time and money over them.
Best Wishes!
November 24th, 2008 at 8:53 pm
Thanks for posting this as a scam. We just opened today’s mail and suspected this to be a scam. It took three tries at typing in search words before your site popped up. I typed in “secret shopper sooper credit union” to find the fraud listing. Fact that it came out of British Columbia was suspect as well. When will the FBI and other U.S. agencies start to crack down on these scams?
Blessings!
November 25th, 2008 at 2:28 am
@ Liz, Robin, Chris-Aryn, Elizabeth, MJ, Willy Webb, Randy, Jose, Daniel and Ann…
Thank You for dropping by and taking the time out to leave a comment!
Best Wishes!
November 28th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I just got a check from “Business Research Inc.“, a proported Mystery Shopper company… the amount was for $4,996.ooo for various services, including transfer fees and various Western Union charges. The check was Canadian post-marked, the bank is in Georgia and the dummy corp seems to be somewhere in South Dakota. Just figured I would post the little info I have as I am grateful that this site is here to help me see clearly the scam that landed on my doorstep. Thanks!
December 4th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
i got the same letter…but unlike some of you.i was stupid..what was i thinking..i deposited this check..went too get it out ..thank god the bank said there was a waiting period ..got online and found this site..then i called mystery shoppers back told them who i was and that i knew they were fruad and cussed them out..he said miss you dont have to call me back..i said of couse not yayaya..lol..he hung up on me..but i am stupid..but i wont be stupid again..
December 6th, 2008 at 5:19 am
I also received a check from “Secret Shopper”. I’m curious to find out what happened when you went to the police department and reported this scam. What did they say? Is there anything they can do?
December 9th, 2008 at 12:51 am
I know BestMark was working with the FBI to track down a scammer that was targeting shoppers using the BestMark name.
Huge win 2 days ago though. The US Federal Trade Commission prosecuted a handful of people that were running a mystery shopping scam and the total penalty was somewhere around $20 million (although they may have to pay only $850,000 of it).
December 10th, 2008 at 2:03 am
I got one yesterday!
I called my aunt, she told me it was a scam. I called Colorado National Bank. They told me it was a fraudulent Company. I am so broke right now, I want to cash the check and plead temporary insanity. Please pray God will deliver me from the temptation. Praise God for not letting me fall for it.
I am at work now. When I go home I better tear it up, before I do something stupid.
December 15th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
I received a check in the mail for 2900.00.
The letter said that I have been selected to be a secret shopper. Unfortunately I cashed the check and went to Walmart to get a money gram and sent the money to Canada. I did this twice before realizing that this was a scam.
I was given a 1 866 number to call and talked with a man named Peter Johnson. When I called him back to tell him that the check had been returned he said that someone in the finance department would call me.
No call has come as of yet. He tried to assure me that the check was good and it would be rectified. There is another one on the way and I will tear it up. Some lessons are hard.
This one was.
December 16th, 2008 at 6:16 pm
I just received one.
the cheque is sent by Xog Corp in Texas, the letter is sent by Fidelity Investments in NYC, the letter is postmarked in Canada. It’s like some really smart adolescents are really really bored.
I wonder if your bank has fraud insurance, Paul C…? Maybe they can help you out of this one, right at the holidays too!
It’s a well written letter with only a couple errors, not like the Nigerian scammers, and the addresses for all the coporations check out. I’m sorry for the people who got scammed, but hopefully, these people will get theirs.
I’m really glad about sites like these because if this hadn’t been here, I would have been tempted, especially because it says to cash the cheque and go send cash.
December 18th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
just got a check from mystery shoppers inc; guys name is Harry Mcdonald from ny.
taking to the bank today, more than likely it is fraud, don’t get into this as I am sure if it is then you will be on the hook to repay the bank.
December 19th, 2008 at 11:38 am
My husband got his letter yesterday, but didn’t open it until this morning. Thank God I am such a skeptic!!
It all looked so real until I looked and compared addresses and postmarks. The postmark and stamp are from Canada, the check is from S3 Inc. from Wellington, CO - but drawn on Western States Bank: a division of Valley Bank & Trust of Scottsbluff, NE, and the company is Holiday Mystery Shopping & Incentive Programs from Bradenton, FL.
The check is for the amount $3,639.00 and the letter states that he was chosen to participate and must call for instructions after depositing the check in our savings account.
He is to make a $100.00 purchase, complete the questionnaire, wire $2990.00 to an agent to test the efficiency of the Western Union service (they even included $149.99 for Western Union fees), and keep the purchases and the remainder of the money for his payment.
It all looked so real and my husband was so happy because we are essentially flat broke, but I knew there had to be catch.
December 23rd, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Same thing here folks. Same letter.
Fidelity Investments, Wall Street NYC. $4750 .. $2000 for Western Union, $2000 for Moneygram, $250 for wiring fees, $100 to shop at either Walmart, Home Depot, Victoria’s Secret, JCPenny, KMart, ToysRUs, Dillard’s or Macy’s. $400 for my payment.
Then after this my pay would increase to $600 per week and after 3 months it would increase to $800 per week if I stayed with them. It looks entirely legit.
I went in to the bank to deposit, but asked the clerk to verify the check is valid. I told her the entire story, after calling the bank listed on the check, I was told it was not a valid check and that they had to keep it for investigation.
I thanked them profusely for helping me. Was a little bummed that this was not a legit thing. Like many of you, could really have used this change of luck!
I came home called a few times to the number of assigned agent, DONNA HILL, whom I never could reach, she is never in the office, but the manager, BARRY SANDERS, I talked with a total of 3 times.
When I called him after the bank incident, he sounded shocked and couldn’t inderstand, this never happened, etc. He said they would investigate and get back to me in a day or two.
Not holding my breath. F***ers!
December 28th, 2008 at 8:47 am
my wife received this check. I wonder if anyone would actually do this without making sure the check cleared before sending your own money??
Many of these scams originate in Nigeria where this seems to be the main source of employment
. They are very smooth, but a little common sense will cut them off…
they are so slick they even disguised themselves behind at&t system for deaf and mute people whereby they never reveal their voice and foreign accents….when contacted by phone…
they use stolen credit cards which will actually credit to your account but later when found to be stolen will charge back against you…report these sob’s to the police.
December 29th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
I bet the Costa Coffee is also a scam, isn’t it?
December 30th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
HELLO OUT THERE…MY NAME IS ERIKA AND THERE IS A SCAM THAT IS GOING AROUND…
I RECEVIED A CHECK FOR 39870.00 AND Was told to cash the check and follow some direction that they gave me to do. AFTER I CASH THE CHECK KEEP 300.00 FOR TRAINING.
NEXT GO SPENT 150.00 SHOPPING @ FEW STORE THEY LISTED FOR ME LIKE WAL-MART, J.C.PENNY, HOMEPOT. NEXT 150.00 FOR HOTEL TO GO STAY AT; NEXT 170.00 MONEY GRAM AND THAN WIRE THEM 3,390 BACK TO THEM .
THAT IS BULL SHIT I HOPE THEY CATCH UP WITH THE PEOPLE WHO IS DOING THIS AND ESPECIALLY USING BANK NAMES LIKE THAT THE BANK I HAD ON THE CHECK WAS SANTA BARBAR AND TRUST PLEASE DO NOT FALL FOR THIS ,
THANKS ERIKA
January 7th, 2009 at 3:32 pm
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR PREVENTING ME FROM MAKING A HUGE MISTAKE.
I AM CURRENTLY OUT OF WORK AND I GOT THIS LETTER IN THE MAIL FROM A COMPANY CALLED QUALITY METRICS LTD. SHOPPING BUSINESS SOLUTIONS WITH A CHECK FOR 4,940.00
I WAS SUPPOSED TO SEND THEM BACK WESTERN UNION 2,800.00 WITH 150.00 FEE THEN MONEY GRAM 1540.00 WITH A 60.00 FEE SPEND 50.00 AT WALMART AND 40.00 AT GAP AND KEEP 300.00 FOR MYSELF.
THANK GOD I DID MY RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS SITE BEFORE I MADE A HUGE MISTAKE. THE CHECK WAS DRAWN FROM THE COOPER STATE BANK IN DUBLIN OHIO.
AGAIN THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TESTIMONY. ALL I WANT TO KNOW IS IT WORTH TAKING THIS TO THE POLICE OR AM I JUST WASTING MY TIME?
THANK YOU
ADAM
January 9th, 2009 at 7:51 am
Thank you all for your posts!
I just received a letter from Holiday Mystery Shopping & Incentive Programs. It seem too good to be true, and it is!
Here are some of the things that tiped me off:
-no return address
-no telephone number of the bank on the check
-my address was incorrect (the mail man knows me - not too many Saymith’s)
-the company’s name not printed on the check
-signature on the check is blurry
-routing number only printed at the bottom of the check
I called the branch of the bank (first bank in houston tx)
I will take it to the police today and
I will educate those around me. Hopefully we catch these guys!
February 5th, 2009 at 1:51 pm
Its a scam!!! The company’s name is Shoppers Anonymous, INC. Just has everybody has indicated you get a big check, this one was $4998 and you would have to do assignments at Wal-Mart, Gap, Western Union and Money Gram. I called the number on the letter and it the lady told me to deposit then call her back, once the check clears. I ended up doing some research and found this site. Glad I did! I ended up calling the the bank the check was drawn off, Eiberfel State Bank. The stated that the check was vaild. She then asked me if it was date for 1/28/2009 in the amount of $4998. How would she know the check info if I did not cash it? Banks do not know how much a check is for until it is cashed. I called my bank and they asked if I was instructed to wire money. I said yes, my bank said it is a fraud!!!!If it is too good to be true it is. Be careful
February 5th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
My letter just came from Shoppers Inc. Located in Richmond, VA, with a check for $3875 drawn on S & T Bank in Indiana, PA. The same story to evaluate WalMart’s service using a MoneyGram. I contacted the bank and they were aware that these people were using their bank to perpatrate fraud. I plan to give the check to the police
February 5th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!!
Please help, I just found this Website, and I feel so stupid….. I cashed the check and sent it to Canada, from Wal – Mart as requested… I did not use my bank but I did use a check cashing store. I applied for a Secret Shopper job a few months back and though this was a legit job, I am going to the police, what else I can do…what is going to happen to me.
February 6th, 2009 at 1:57 pm
Hi. I recieved a check in the mail for $2975.00 along with the Evaluation form and time sheet. The letter was from Secret Shopper Inc and instructed me to keep $300 for the Evaluation Training. The assignment was to go to any Walmart and send a Money Gram to Hamilton, Ontario Canada. I wnt to know what I can do to further u=invwetigate this and bring these people to justice. I did take the check to have it cashed but it was put on an extended hold. I was told that the check wsa fraudulent.
February 9th, 2009 at 8:58 pm
2/9/2009 I received a cashier’s check for $2875.00 in an unmarked envelope with a Canadian postage stamp. It indicates that it was issued by “integrated payment systems, inc engelwood, co, First Corporate Credite Union, Cypress, CA - and then it has First Credit Union 1232 East Baseline, Tempe AZ 85283. The letter congratulates me for my online application with them. I haven’t applied online to anyone. I intend to alert our County’s DA, so they can get the word out via the local media.
February 13th, 2009 at 7:51 am
I have to give you props for starting this website. I was really worried last night that there are people out there desperate enough to believe this scam. My first reaction was, “why do they need me to sent $3,300 through western union, when $50 would suffice?” I will be getting ahold of the bank so they can start an investigation.
It takes a good person to not just get mad about this scam, but to put up a website to help others. Thanks.
February 13th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
I just got the same scam in the mail. A cashier’s check for $4998.00 through Elberfeld State Bank signed by Robert Smith.
The letter is from Shoppers Anonymous, Inc with an address of suite #108 - 121 E Highway 46, Wagner, SD 57380.
The phone number on the check was 866-786-4956 and on the letter it was 905-606-0808.
The letter was signed by Jack A. Dill.
THIS IS A TOTAL SCAM - PLEASE DO NOT FALL FOR IT!!!
February 14th, 2009 at 8:09 pm
We got ours today in the mail. Our sister in law used to be a Secret Shopper a long time ago, but she did’t receive checks like this one(4000.00). I couldn’t reach her, but checked it oot on Dogpile and found this website. We were very leery of the letter and found out we had reason to be. Thanks to everyone who wrote in.
February 21st, 2009 at 3:34 pm
I’m glad I decided to check this out before I cashed the check. I’ve actually received 2: 1 for $3500 & 1 for $3470. I was going to take them to the bank on Monday, but something just didn’t feel right. The e-mails I received were from the same company, the checks were from 2 different places (& 2 different banks), and the address on the envelopes didn’t match the names on the checks. I’ve already gone to http://www.bbb.org to submit a query, I’m glad I did.
If anyone knows any real mystery shopper companies, please e-mail me: gemma_ninnie@hotmail.com.
Thanks,
Jennifer
February 23rd, 2009 at 5:00 pm
i received a check today for $3760 from Waco Federal Credit Union. I knew it was a scam, but wish it wasn’t
February 23rd, 2009 at 6:43 pm
My husband recieved a letter today with a check from Secret Shoppers they told him to cash the $2975.00 check at a bank then got to Walmart & get a money order in the sum of $2620.00 mail it to them keeping $300.00 they they would get him started , Ya right when upon trying to cash it no bank in Plattsburgh would touch . when calling the place thats sent it they said to go to a cheak cashing place , Ok not !!! I told my husband it looks like a money laundring thing , the check was from Canada but the bank on it was from TX , go figure ,, I think it is a scam we will know I am turning it over to the Attourny general .. PLEASE do not give your checking account Please .
February 24th, 2009 at 3:30 pm
I received that check also. amount $3,760.00
from Waco Texas.
There is no way that it’s real watch out please don’t
cash that check. From canada, the phone number is a cell phone, the address is someone elses.
Please be careful.
February 25th, 2009 at 11:27 am
I just recieved one of these scams today. Frirst Thank You for the site. The check they sent me was for 3,760.00. It was fishy to me because first there was no return on the envelope. then I thought I heard about something like this before so I looked on line and found this site and reading everyones replys I see my thoughts were right my questen is should I do some theing or just throw it away? Reading all these replys I fear it may get someone.
February 27th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
My wife received a 2700 check from secret shoppers inc. It said to keep 300 spend 100 and send the rest moneygram. we put the check into the bank not thinking….it cleared. I say again, the check cleared. Now what???? someone please email me and help before we spend the money. billgorsky@hotmail.com
February 28th, 2009 at 4:48 am
I just received a check from this Secret Shoppers Inc. it was for 3,760.00 I knew it was too good to be true. Waco,Tx my ass…..I hope yall catch these people and throw the BOOK at them!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
February 28th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
I just received a letter today from a coming called extreme secrete shoppers, if you have heard of them and they are part of the scamers, please let me know. everything of it makes it feel really sketchy to me. I have done a reverse look up on the phone numbers all listed on here, i got a 905-598-**** that is in Canada, the fax number i would have to fax to is 206-337-**** which is Seattle. Every fiber of my being says that this is a scam, but then again i don’t know because of the fact that i would only keep in general 130 of it, and everything goes back to them. so can you please help me out. tomorrow i am calling the FDIC to check out the bank account that this cashier check came from before i do anything else with it. because i might just burn the 2950 check they sent me. i read your article and i am thoroughly intrigued by it.
March 2nd, 2009 at 7:39 pm
I just got a check today from Manpower. On the check is Sullivan Singers Booster Clung, INC. The check is wrote off Scott State Bank which is a real FDIC approved bank. This company gave me the same instructions as many of you and asked that I wire money to who I don’t know yet because I have yet to call the number. But I’m promised $200 out of the $2,975.00 Is this coming from the same people you speak of? Are they now using a popular temp-agency to try and swindle us who are in such need of a few extra bucks? Thanks for all your help.
March 3rd, 2009 at 9:44 pm
i am another victim of the mystery shopper scam. i would like to know the number of the people and the web site
anyone please help me
my email
medelashley09@gmail.com
March 5th, 2009 at 11:44 am
yeah i got the same letter but wheni was looking at it i had noticed that the phone number was in canada and the fax was long island, it made no sence that the check be from brownsville texas and some lady vicki halteman wanted to send me money with out any thing signed for it. hell i actuly thought about cashing it and not doing the money gram. glad i didnt. i took a copy of it and gave it to the bank.
March 5th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Just opened a letter from Secret Shoppers, Vancouver, BC. Enclosed was a cashier’s check for $3785.00 to test the Money Gram system at Wal-Mart. Instructions are to pose as a potential customer sending a money gram payment to a relative in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. I am to be paid $300.00, send $3430.00 in a money gram and pay the $55.00 fee for the money gram. I knew as soon as I opened the letter that it was a scam. The check is drawn on the South West Community Federal Credit Union in Plano. TX, with a phone number of 1-888-262-0332. Remitter was Lashun Cole. Geeze…people use your brain…if it sounds too good to be true…you’re going to get scammed!
March 7th, 2009 at 10:12 am
ANCE Check Product research sent me a check for over $3000.000. I call all the numbers on the enclosed letters to see what this was all about- and a lady answered and told me it was all legitimate and to deposit the check. So I did.
My bank is holding it for 5 days to verify that it is real. But I’m going back to my bank on Monday and let them know what this really is.
I”m hoping they will help me press charges and find out who these people are.
The check looked VERY real, even the bank teller didn’t spot any thing odd. I will do what I can to help catch these greedy bastards.
Letter had no return address and postmarked Canada.
March 9th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
I almost fell for a scam on Craigslist…from Michael Mason and “fidelity evaluations.” I’m just worried because I gave them some information! ahhh! They wanted to send me money orders to cash and then evaluate Wal-Mart taking $500 out of it for myself….but something just struck me as odd after I sent them some info. I got more information on the “job” and was like….this isn’t right. I emailed them back and told them to never contact me again…and then decided to do some research and found this sight and know that my gut was right, I only wish i would have realized it before i gave them my contact info….BEWARE!
March 14th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
We just got one today for $3500 and the check looks SO real! In fact the back of the check has DOCUGARD thinly printed on it and the Waco Federal Credit Union address matches up with their website.
The one wrong thing is the routing number. They want me to wire money to New York within 7 days after cashing the check. I’m thinking about taking it to a check cashing place here in Arizona (there are HUNDREDS due to all the illegal aliens)just to see if they’ll cash it.
Also after working at a bank (Bank One) and seeing how much they throw away money, it wouldn’t suprise me at all in SOME cases if they let people cash them and not do anything to the customer but rather focus on the perpetrators.
March 15th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
The evolution of their tactics is the problem. No one seems to want to stop this scam and now ANCE Check Product research sent my son a letter off of a jpmorgan chase bank. The check has been done professionally and for chase to look the other way is as sick as the financial crisis itself. When a fraud continues like this for so long you have to ask yourself do they want to stop it, ever?
March 16th, 2009 at 10:45 am
hi, Anonneemus so u did CASH the cheque? See i dont understand why it is a scam ? Here me out first.. There are innocent people who think this is real, so they sign up for it, and they get a cheque for 3500$ and ya it seems alot but you never know.. But still, my friend got a check for that amount, and all she did was keep it. she never sent any money back to them , she knew after that point it was a scam, but she didnt know, she spent the money right away, therfor she couldnt send any back to them. And all her accuse was, i didnt know, but now i do, how could she be held responsible for that when she was just innocent and didnt know any better. She cashed it threw her bank and everything and it cleared, and then she just went on a shoppin spree. Now she knows but at that time she didnt..
March 16th, 2009 at 9:06 pm
I received a check for $2,975.00 I followed throught with all of the actions because I am a college student desperate for money. What type of action can I take to help me get my money back? Please help.
I am now it debt over $3000.00.
March 24th, 2009 at 12:02 am
I received a letter with a check for $4,000 to visit Sears or Walmart for a money gram. Am going to work with the police in my area to get these scum arrested in Canada. Thank you for having this wonderful web site here. I knew it was a fake, but there may be others that aren’t as intellient as we are. Am still wondering how they got my name and address since I’m not listed in our local phone book.
March 30th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
Hi! I wished that I’ve discovered this site before I deposited that check amounting to $3888.18 Check came from Venture 2000 Consumer Research Group and the contact person I’ve been speaking to is a Ms. Dorothy Montoya. I’ve tried to research online about the validity of this company or this person and found nothing. The check was drawn under a schools name in Georgia, Clayton County Public School, Jonesboro, Georgia. I plan to call this school tomorrow and see what they have to say.Also, I’m going to call my bank to see what they can do about it.
I’ve been checking my bank if the check had cleared already and so far, not yet. Now that the check has been deposited, can I still stop it?
Please advise by sending me an email.
Thank You,
Erna
neonurse163@yahoo.com
March 31st, 2009 at 11:55 am
i got a travlers check for 500.00 was told to go to jc pennys and spend 50.00 then go to walmart spend 25.00 send rest westrern union and keep the products i got arrested it was from secret shoppers the police felt no symphany for me. i did several days in jail before i could be bomded out
March 31st, 2009 at 11:57 am
also why does ups and fed ex keep on delivering after you show them 500 blank united states postal money orders. and take them to d,a, office why do they not go after them we are the ones scammed they only make it worse for us not better
March 31st, 2009 at 12:01 pm
they keep coming more and more ever day every day i go to d,a, office been coming for a year now
April 1st, 2009 at 3:29 am
i got a check today for1380.00 and as you all have stated they wanted me to do these tasks and then do a money gram. im not stupid hopeful maybe not stupid. this is a small town and they have sent these checks to friends of mine. mine is from holland management services inc. and it must have eight different phone numbers. but they wanted me to send the money to a donna johnson in canada and the check isfrom a bank in boston mass. state street bank. the managment service is in denver co. god when will these people get whats coming to them? i got scammed by a letter stuffing group. a year later i got my money order back cause they got busted and then the money order people riped me off. so there you go cant trust any of them.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Yeah…got a letter in the mail today from SECRET SHOPPERS TM. Postmarked in Canada. Included an OBVIOUSLY fake check for $3560. Southwest Community Federal Credit Union. After checking online, I found the bank in UTAH, but the check has the address for Southwest CORPORATE Federal Credit Union in Plano, Texas. The Remiter says Lashun Cole.
You really have to be silly if you fall for one of these things. It’s so common now!
April 17th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
My Mother was sent this in the mail. She probably signed up for something on the internet, but I want to let everyone know about this one.
They send you a check for $1,900. Looks like a real check … they then tell you to deposit into your bank account. Spend $100 at any of the 7 stores they list. You get to keep what you buy, your also supposed to keep $100 out of the 1,900. The rest you are supposed to Money Gram back to them. The money gram thing is to let them know you can handle money transactions.
HOAX!!!
Just wanting to shed light on the subject. My mother also fell for this if it wasn’t for myself, my father and my boyfriend. She’d been out Monday morning getting arrested at the bank. LOL
April 17th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
OH BY THE WAY - I forget to mention, the name of the company is Mega Market Inc. Out of Buffalo NY according to the letter.
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:51 pm
They are going strong I had just received the same letter on Tuesday. It told me to go to Wal-mart and money gram this check to Canada and grade them on there customer service. They was offering me $150.00 a hour for training. I had called and they told me to take it to the bank and cash it and I had asked what if they put a hold on the check and they said call them back and tell them how long the hold will be. When I had called it told me to call back because the line was busy and when I had called the next day at 8:30 in the morning and it had sound like the guy was sleeping. I am in Cleveland, OH and this was just wrong!!! It is hard times out here and it is just wrong!!! I had jobs at check cashing places and at banks and I know what to look for. Always, Always check the bank where it is coming from. Call the bank and also check the internet. I hope that other people that get this will know to do there research before cashing!!!!
April 22nd, 2009 at 4:36 pm
I just received similiar thing from secret Shoppers today, along with a 2990.00 check to “test” walmarts money gram also. Only this check is drawn off of South West Community Federal Credit Union. (I am sure its no good also.). I Google the bank and got there contact # and call them the are in UT. The check had the address 6801 Parkwood Blvd Plano, Tx 75024. the letter had Vancouver BC on on it. So be careful people always Google it.
These are the # on the check 1-888-262-0332 Letter 1888-271-3705 -1-866-465-7613-1-289-892-3047
April 28th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
I recieved an email inviting me to do all this, but being caught by a previous internet scam (that I managed to get out of) I was being causious and found your site! Thanks a million!
May 4th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
I GOT A CHECK IN THE MAIL FROM ANCE CHECK PRODUCT RESEARCH FOR 3.300.00 FOR A MYSTERY SHOPPER JOB I WAS FIRED FROM M Y JOB TWO DAYS AFTER XMAS.AND COULD REALLY USE SOME MONEY .I WAS TO SHOP WALLMART WINNDIXIE; ALSO USING WESTERN UNION. SENDING 3.100.00 TO ADRIAN EVANS ESSEX.NY.I PUT THE CHECK IN THE BANK FOR ONE WEEK TO CLEAR. THEN IT CLEARED SO I FINISHED THE JOB. TO FIND OUT TWO WEEKS LATTER THAT THE CHECK WAS NO GOOD.AND BOUNCHED.I CALLED JUDITH ELLIOT THE COORDINATOR AT 1-514-572-0263 AND TOLD HER WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD GET BACK WITH ME AND SHE NEVER DID.NOW IM SHORT OVER 3.000.00 IN MY CHECKING ACCOUNT… CAN ANY ONE HELP? IM IN BAD NEEDED OF MY MONEY BACK I CALLED WESTERN UNION AND THEY THANKED ME FOR USING THERE SERVICES AND WROTE A FRAD REPORT UP BUT COULDENT REALLY HEIP ME… IF ANY ONE CAN I WOULD REALLY THANK YOU…
May 12th, 2009 at 11:08 am
I received a letter with a check included for $2,950.66 from Fidelity Financial Group, Inc. out of Rochester, NY 14621 informing me that I had been selected from their database offering me the chance to work for them as a “Secret Shopper”. I was suspicious so I did some research and found out that it was fradulent. I was advise everyone to check these supposedly good offers out with the Better Business Bureau, make some phone calls and do your own research online. There are answers out there, we just have to take the time to pursue them.
May 21st, 2009 at 5:02 pm
may 19th 2009
hi, I guess it is still happening Only more so, I received 2 cheques today for $3,100, each, so I immediatly headed for the computer these were from secret shopper inc. I am you are doing a good job of informing about the scams thank you
Lyn
May 31st, 2009 at 2:44 pm
I received one of these checks for $1200 i did deposit it and my wife and i went and did the shopping and the wire transfer. then they sent another check for $2000 i deposited that one and the bank told me that they had to put a hold on it. I became suspicious and I started looking into the other check sure enough it had bounce like rubber. They continued to call me to see if i had received the second check i led them on and sent them some fake numbers for the wire transfer. they called me and said they had a problem I told them I do to. they said the check should clear and they insisted they were for real. the police weren’t any help. they said that this has been going on for years. and they kept passing my call along to someone else. Money gram and western union should take some measures to stop this. I feel that it all gets throw back on the person who deposits the check. well you should have known, if it looks to good to be true. whatever ive learned and it wont happen again. but these people need to get caught!!!!