A very serious and costly scam is currently targeting mystery shoppers right now. I have been contacted by several of my subscribers, who have been victimized by it. Unfortunately, some of my subscribers have informed me that someone is impersonating MysteryShopOnline.com in perpetrating the scam.
This is very serious: If anyone claiming to represent a mystery shopping company sends you a large check, DO NOT CASH IT. Even if the bank says it is OK. Even if they claim to represent a company you have worked with. Even if they claim to represent MysteryShopOnline.com. They are lying and out to steal your money. DO NOT CASH THE CHECK. Instead, contact the police, the Federal Trade Commission. Your state’s attorney general may also be a good person to contact.
When protecting yourself from scams in the mystery shopping world, there are two rules of thumb that I follow:
- Never cash a large check from any mystery shopping company, especially as part of an assignment.
- I never give my Social Security Number to any company until AFTER I have completed an assignment with them, and gotten paid for it.
There are plenty of legitimate mystery shopping companies out there, and if you’re a little careful it is relatively easy to avoid scams.
If anyone claiming to represent MysteryShopOnline.com has contacted you about completing a mystery shopping assignment, please send me an email or leave a comment. I would like to get to the bottom of this, and stop the person who is damaging my business. Thank you.
Yes I got one and I already knew better! I did not try and cash it and I will be reporting it as well. We need to keep trying to shut these people down. Not everyone knows better.
My mom received a large check in the mail for $7,000 dollars. She took it to the bank and they informed her that it was a bad check.
I also got one but, darn, I just shredded it. Next time I will contact someone. Darn, darn, darn, we need to stop these people.
Pat
yeah, my mom got one of those bogus checks and the first thing I thought was yeah easy money!! She recieved a check for $3950 on January 16, but the check was dated December 18 that what made me suspicious. The check came from Norwarlk OH 44857 and I know for a fact mail, even from OH, comes in 2-3 days. This check was designed to force its recipients to place the checks in their bank accounts becuase if taken to check cashing, too much time will have passed and you cannot cash it. thanks for the email confirming my suspision was valid.
I just received a check today for $4,998.00 from shopping jobs, inc. They want me to shop Walmart, Gap, and then do a Western Union and a money gram and I get to keep $350.00. I called the number on the information and they told me to deposit in my bank and wait for the check to clear 7-10 days. Once the check clears, I am suppose to do the shops. The check is a cashiers check drawn on Jourdanton State Bank in TX with a phone number of 1.877.446.3108 to verifiy the funds. I could really use the money and I wish that this was a true shop. The letter is from shopping disbursements, part of shopping jobs, inc. with a phone/fax number of 1.905.467.3634. Farther into the letter is another number to call to activate the cashiers check 1.905.467.3634 x102 then press 1. I have friends in the police force and they informed me to use a bank that I do not use and to inform them of what I am doing and believe to be happening. They will wait and see what happens and since we have their information, hopefully, they cannot go too far.
The envelope has no return address just my name and address hand written.
If anyone else out there has had this check please contact me-melissa
I received one of these bogus check a while back. I did not even sign up with any companies at that time. I took this check (in the amount of $3850) to my bank and had one of the officers look at it.
Someone sent her one too. I gave her the check. She informed me that I could have possibly faced jail time if i cashed that check and it was bogus. She then sent this information to other banks in my town so people don’t get scammed. The FBI was also informed of this. I’m grateful that you are sharing this information and I will be on the look out if I see anyone trying to imitate your website.
By the way, be aware of people phishing on paypal accouts too.
Jacob,
I have been warned about these checks and you beter believe it that happens to me I will let you know immediately believe me I will.
I will or rather all of us that subscribe to this will look out for our Jacob because Jacob you are the best we love you and I have learned so much reading what ever you talk to us about You are truly not boring and you are not selfish at all you tell us things that help all of us so we will stick by you Jacob I know we will. We all love you.
I also have recieved numerous moneygrams in the mail ( 6 in all ) I got 4 the other day, at $850.00 for each one and they came by UPS! I got these kind of checks a few month’s ago and I deposited these into my back account. A few days later the branch manager called me and said they where fake, so this time I called the bank that they where written on in another state and they told me that they where all cashed weeks ealier. After a couple of days go by I received an e-mail stating from this company that I was to send them the remaining balance through western union to a place in the UK and I reported this all to the FBI and they are investigating it further! I am glad that I checked into this before hand because if I did’nt I would have lost $3400.00 dollars of my hard earned money! And I would like to thank everyone involved that warned me ahead of time.
Cash
I too had this experience. A check came and they wanted it cashed and then a type of mail a gram was to be purchased at Wal-Marts. This check was written on a Canadian bank but the telephone number that I had to call was in New Jersey. I was going on a couple of days trip so I didn’t do anything with it at first. Then I did take it to the bank in my deposit and then called the bank both days following and both days I was told that it was good. Then on the third day I called the bank and was told that no, it wasn’t any good and had been sent back. They said that I was being charged $20 against my account but I told them that $20 was cheap just to find out. I haven’t received any since but if I do I will call the authorities. I might still have the letter around.
I have recieved several of these checks and deals. I recieved 5 Travelers Checks in the mail last week each for $500.00. I called the number that I was suppose to call to verify funds and was told yes they were good. I then looked up the bank they were from (Citicorp)and was told they were fake and to destroy them. The trouble is there are so many of these scams going right now that the law enforcement and attoney generals and others are overwhelmed with them. I called and filed reports with my local police department on 3 of these and they started investigating me because they thought I was part of it and trying to scam people and filing reports to cover my butt and throw them off. So be careful in calling the authorities and filing reports. If you get a large check all you have to do is call the bank or company it is written on and and tell them you want to “verify the funds” they will ask for the “routing number” (the first set of numbers at the bottom), then the “account number” (second set of numbers at the bottom) and they will tell you if the check is good or bad before you put it in your bank or cash it and end up having to pay back hundreds or thousands of dollars that you don’t have or even worse being charged with a crime that you didn’t know you were committing. I recieved one for $6000.00 a month ago and did what I just wrote and was told to send them a copy because it was fake. It was for a mystery shop for “Mysteryshoponline” and involved the Walmart and MoneyGram scam. There was an 800 number on the check and when I called it they said it was good but then when I called the bank it was written on I was told it was bad and to send them a copy of it which I did. I was told that I was the 15th person that had called in the last week about the same scam. If everyone stiocks together we won’t get these people shut down and eventually they will get tired and go somewhere else. If you recive anything from Morrison Craig or Fred Holmes these are two of the fakes going right now. If anyone knows of any others and post them on the sight then maybe we can put a dent in there scams. Sorry for being so long winded but I wanted to post what I know so that maybe someone else doesn’t get caught and loose their money.
Darrell
My boyfriend just yesterday got a check in the mail for $4,200. It has the intructions to cash the check, spend $100.00 at WAL MART and send two other money grams, leaving him with $400.00 as a payment. We are not sure if it’s a scam or not. The phone number listed on the letter head in located in Canada, with an actual person answering the phone. The check is drawn from a bank in Georgia. The internet search shows an actual bank does exist, I will be calling to verify the funds. My one concern is that the check is drawn off of a different company, (a resort actually) with information available on the internet about them as well. It was explained by Datum Research Group “MysteryShopOnline.com” there are different sponsors that help pay for the “mystery shoppers”, but why would we get something from Canada all the way to California. The check is dated just last week. We haven’t decided what to do just yet, except not cash it at this point! This firm also states they will send funds with instructions on a weekly basis with payment included. Is this REAL easy money???? SCAM OR NOT????
Sherrie,
Do NOT cash the check. Look up the phone number for the bank it is issued from and talk to that bank directly. Do NOT use any phone number that may be on the check. YES, IT IS A SCAM.
MysteryShopOnline.com is NOT associated with ANY other company. Anyone who claims we are “sponsoring” them is lying.
Jacob
Thanks for the heads up,Pray the thiefs are caught directly.
Thank you so much for this information, I have yet to receive a check from anyone like this but I will be on the look out for them, will let you know, and report them immediately.
My wife and I got a check in the mail for ( $ 3,900.00 ) from a company called ( THE WEISSMAN RESEARCH GROUP ) and it even said a division of MysteryShopOnLine.com. I called the phone numbers on the paperwork and they ask me for my reference number and then told me to cash the check go to wal-mart spend $100.00 then go to 2 different money grams and send them $ 1,650.00 to a Beth Smith in Canada. Then fill out the evaluation sheet they had provided for meI even called the girl named Beth Smith in Canada and she said she was human resorces for the company and in order for me to get paid I had to finish the asssinment first. They sounded very professional to and said to make sure I didnt just go out and blow the money that the funds for the check would not be released until they recieved the money grams. To make a long story short i’m still paying back the bank. I have called the police and the F.B.I. is looking into it also. They have even contacted the authorities in Canada to help Hopefully they will be caught soon. I have all the paperwork with all the numbers if it will help put and end to all of this fraud.
Like I said if there is anything I can do to help please let me know.
Have a nice day
Steven
Thank you,
I was sent a 980.00 check from Global Solutions Inc. I was told to take it cash it, then take it to Wal-Mart and see if the Money Gram place was willing to sent it to a fictional Relative.
Since I only use Money Orders and do not do bank accounts. I was not able to cash it, voided it and mailed it back.
I do not know if it is a scam or not.
After I read all of this I just filed a complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
I received a check from Informa Research Services, (which is a New York Company), mailed from Canada, with an Illinois address on the check that is a Citibank in Delaware. It purports to be a division of MysteryShopOnline.com. It arrived while I had been traveling, so I called when I got it, two weeks later than the dated check of 01/17/08. Long story short, I did deposit it, waited, called back, got an assignment to send a Money Gram to a person in Canada, got really suspicious anc called the real company in NY and was told no, they don’t send checks with letters. The check was rejected by Citibank, but I haven’t sent any money and the AG for my state as well as my bank are now aware of the scam. You know the old saying… if it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t. The contact phone in the letter was 613-263-5056 (an Ontario, Canada phone number) and the name was James Hailey (but he sounded foreign, hard to understand.)
got a letter and a check from monster market place for mystery shooping is this a legit company …. are they scammers
just received a letter today in response to my “application for part time work as a mystery shopper” and a check for $3,850.00. I called the number listed in the letter as required- the man told me to deposit the check in my account and wait 2 days for it to clear. I asked if I could just cash it, he said no it had to go into my account. I went to chase bank, the bank it was written on, and an hour later was dealing with their fraud department. I was to keep $500.00 of the money, spend $20.00 at walmart and $20.00 at mcdonalds the last shopper task was to go to western union and send $3,110.00 to “their agent”. The bank said the check was stolen and copied. When I looked into this the check turned out to be from an unrelated exporter for the airlines in Phoenix, AZ–their letterhead said Golder consumer research, Inc. A division of mysteryshoponline.com.New York, NY, the envelope it all came in was post marked from Canada, and I was to western union the money to someone in atlanta, GA. I called the original number back and asked the man why he would ask me to deposit a fraudulent check into my bank account. He seemed very surprised and told me they would look into it and call me back. I asked how he would do that without my name and phone number, he only wanted the check number, he said “”we have your number!!”
I received the exact same information!!! This is rediculous! There is no return address on my envelope from canada…… What should I do next?
Amooney,
Call the bank that the check is issued from. Don’t use any phone number that might be on the check. That banks fraud department will want your information. Also, reporting it to the FBI is also a good idea.
Jacob
I received the EXACT same letter as Tami with the same adresses! It’s really frustrating. Before reading this, my husband and I both commented on how realistic the letter looks. Thanks for the warning Jacob.
I got one today too–for “Omega Research & Development”. $4000.
Yes, I got one too.. It was funny- not return address, and and very large check. I glad we have the internet- it works GREAT!..
Hope to have this stop, before it get too bad. There are really nice company’s out there getting there image damage.
But what to, call someone- report to FBI? I like some info..
Yup, I got one today from Omega Research & Development for $4200.00… i should have turned it over to the feds. But I called the number back and said I was going to be in TN the next day so I would just cash it at the bank where it was drawn from BB&T. He got a little pissed and I could not help but to laugh him. no answer since. well there goes another $10 throw away cell into the garbage. lol
Hi. I just got a letter with a check from Omega Research & Development, INC. for $ 4200 with instructions to spend it in Wal-mart and Money Gram + $ 400 for me. After readind your website I know it is a scam. It is from Canada with address in Georgia.Once I invested in canadian lottery over $5000 and I lost it.So I know they can not be trusted again jerks. Please let me know where exactly report these thieves.
Tom
I was so excited being a single parent who could really use an extra income. Unfortunately the check I recieved for $3,950.00
was not good and I was charged $5.00 by my bank for the returned check. True words to live by . . . . “If it’s too good to be true it probably isn’t!.” I found out today and will be picking up a faxed copy of the fraudulant check to turn over to the proper authorities.
I just recieved a letter and a check The address on the letter is :
Golder Consumer Research Inc. (it says it’s)
a Division of MysteryShopOnline.com
P.O Box 7212, New York NY 10015 Unit 7,8 Scurfied Boulevard t.204.9526471 f.204272.3370
The address on the check itself is :
CleanBrands LLC
400 Massasoit Ave Ste 300
East Providence, RI 02914-2012
The check is for 3,850.00 40.00 to spend at McDonalds, 40.00 to spend at Tim Hortons/ Walmart.
3110.00 to send a western union or Money Gram along with 200 for the fee of the western union or Money Gram
The said to send the check to :
Amy Woodward
454 River Ave
Winnipeg Manitoba
Canada R3L0C7
I hope this is helpful.
Just for everyone, I received a similar deal which Jacob and Flash helped me out a great deal with. I actually worked for Wal Mart at one time and went in there earlier today and they have never heard of the companies listed doing the scams. So if you get one…DON’T CASH IT!!
Ireceived a check for $4710.0. Name of company - Premier Research Services - a divisionof MysteryShopsOnline. com. Gave me a contact name to call - checked out the phone # and it is a cell phone out of Hamilton, On. The fax number to fax the application to is out of Bellevue, Wash. Not going to cash the check. I am in Fla. - who is the best person to contac. Thanks. jc
I got one from huffman research & development, $4500. check is from clark brothers sales company. i’m supposed to go to walmart and get money grams and send elsewhere. the law doesn’t care when u report this. i will contact clark bro. to let them know about the check and chase bank. i have counterfeit wal-mart money orders sent to me from another scam that i would love to send them instead of the ones i was supposed to buy. they sent me a counterfeit check, so i’ll send counterfeit back!
I recieved a check for 4500 today, took it to Police Department and was told they didn’t have the man power to handle this. Should I contact FBI? This company was Cementex mysteryshoperonline.com phone # 1-519-694-4382
Eric,
you should contact the Secret Service, as well as the FBI. You should also contact http://www.phonebusters.com
Jacob
Hi, just came upon your blog while doing a search on this company who sent me a check this last week. Thank you and all the others for the input. I will be reporting them to the Post Master, FBI, BBB, and who ever else I can find. This is getting way, way out of hand. The check I received was for $4,500, They want me to shop at Walmart, and send two Money Grams. The weird thing was when I looked up the Company that was on the check (Cementex Products, Inc.), it showed up as a company selling Large Power equipment, tools and the such. Then on the letter which came along with the check and the survey I was to fill out, it had a similar name (Cementex Research Group, A Division of MysteryShopOnline.com) The letter and the Check had two different addresses, phone numbers………I am not sure if all of this will help you, but I sure Hope so….
i just recieved one today in the mail and went to a check cashing establishment,and was told it was more than likely a bad check.i had not heard of this scam and quickly found out.we wil be reporting this and hope it will help to stop all the scams so that we can concentrate on the legitiment ones.the one i recieved was from Mintel Consumer Research Inc. i recieved a check for the amount of 3990.00,and was instructed to make copies of the formes and do the research at 3 locations,send the info back to them and to also send them back 3200.00 by money gram.and when we took the check to a check cashing location,i was informed that it was very possible to be a bad check and that they were going to research it the next day and get back to me,if it is,they will also be reporting it.
I was sent a check as well and told to do deposit the check and shop send 3800.00 back to two different people by money gram or western union. The bank did not put a hold on the check and so the next day I withdrew 3800 out of the 4450.00 check and sent by western union to these people.
i am now out of 3800.00, cannot pay my mortgage for that was all the money I had. I wish I had gone here first.
The bank did not put a hold on the check and made no reference that it may be counterfiet.
Hi. I received a letter from Mintel Consumer Research Inc. and a check for $3998 with my 1st pay of $500 and after that $750. There is still a hold on the check, should I cancel it ASAP or wait to see what bank says? I have been reading all of the scam warnings and well, it appears to be a scam, but I noticed under the mysteryshoponline legitimate listings, Mintel Services was listed. What is the best way to know when it is the actual legitimate company contacting me and when it is a scam?
Angel,
unfortunately, the scammers often impersonate real businesses. Mintel is a legitimagte company — but the check you recieve IS FAKE.
Real mystery shopping companies will give you low paying assignments($5-$20 per assignment), and will never trust you with a large amount of money.
Jacob
Hi,
I received yet again another one of these scam letters today.
The so-called Mystery shopping company is indeed using your website in the letter, and has a bogus check enclosed for $4,500.00
They are using a different name from the last one I received:
People Research Group
A Division of MysteryShopOnline.com
66 Alexandria Bay Morden, MB R6M 2c4
3609 Liberty LN Hiram GA 30141
TEL: 1-306-880-0317: 1-866-445-9341
The name on the check is Jack Chen CPA, P.C based in Dallas TX (probably another unfortunate person whose name has been used).
Last one I got had a check supposedly issued by “Taco Bell” (what a riot)!
These scammers will try anything!
I hope you find out who is behind this.
I just got a letter from “Monster Market Place” in a non-return addressed envelope postmarked from Canada, with pretty much the same stuff that Tami got up there on Feb 12th, except I was supposed to spend $130 at Wal-mart or a few other stores. The check was from Banknorth Massachusetts issued under LaMarche Associates, Inc.
It sounded really fishy and I searched the web and found this site. I’ve contacted the Postal Service and the FBI and have been told to surrender the letter to the Postal Service.
So, yeah. Interesting.
Yea, I received one post marked from Canada. I have received other scams so I am completely aware of such foolishness. I have reported other to the police and this will be attached as well.
Hi,I received a check for $3850.00 from Ranger Joe’s,Columbus Army Surplus Co. And it also was posted from Canada, The letter head is ACET Consumer Research Inc.,a division of Mysteryshoponline.com P.O.Box 9188 Atlanta, Georgia 30322. I was to spend $20 at McDonalds, $30 at Wal-Mart, and Western Union or Money gram for $3300.00. I was to keep $500. I did call the #204*951*2323, and it was a foreign speaking man, hard to understand. I am so glad I waited to cash the check. Something in me told me to wait, and I am thankful I listened, and thankful for your website for finding this information.
Hi,I received the same check that Leslie did. The check was for the amount of $3,850.00. The check was mailed in a envelope that had Canada as it’s postmark. The check had Ranger Joe’s, Columbus Army Surplus Co, 325 Farr Road, Columbus, Georgia 31907. It also had Columbus Bank & Trust Company as the bank. The letterhead on the check was Acet Consumer Research Inc.I called the number on the letter and it said that the mailbox was full, I knew then that this was not real. I am glad that I research this on the internet. Jacob thanks for warning consumers about these scams.
I received a letter from Alcon Consumer Research Inc. a divison of Mysteryshoponline.com from atlanta GA
The check that they sent me is for 3,800 and i am supposed to spend 40 at 2 different wal-mart locations and 10 at 2 different mcdonalds locations and then money gram or western union 2,890 and keep 600 for myself. and then fill out a form called a Customer Service Evaluation tool and then fax the results of my evaluation over to 636 787 9567. The letter that I got was from Patricia Richardson the Director of Operations. also they want me to call with conformation upon receipt of the check. The bank say its a real check but you say that there is no other divisions of mysteryshoponline.com and the number that I call is 204 887 5929 and every time that I call it says that the mailbox is full and cannot receive any new messages. The person I am supposed to send the western union or money gram to is Adre Choette. So I don’t know if this information helps but I just thought I would let you know.
Thanks
Matt
Jacob,
Got your e-mail and I would like to thank you for the swift response.The check I recived is from JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. and payable at Melon Bank, Pittsburg PA. I am going to turn the check and a copy of your notification to the Montague Police Dept. tommorow morning. Thank you for your assistance!!!
I also recently received a check from Tersylbran Reseach Inc. a divison of Mysteryshoponline.com in the amount of $3750.00 written off of BB&T bank dated for 05/02/2008. I was suppose to deposit the check into my account wait for it to clear, send $15.00 at McDonald’s, $50.00 at Wal-Mart and send $3035.00 plus a fee of $150.00 through Western Union or Money Gram. $500 was for me to keep for salary and training pay. I wasn’t sure if this was a legitimate company or check so I called the company so I was told to do when I received the check and I told the man that I didn’t have a checking account, but I would go to the bank it was written on to cash it out. He then told me that the check doesn’t work that way and that it would have to be deposit into an account and if I didn’t have an account I would need to open one but I could not use the check to open the account. He said I would have to use my money to open the account first then as a second transaction cash out the mysteryshoponline check. This had sound to crazy to me so I went online to do some research on the company and couldn’t find it. So I google search the website and a lot of rip off reports were filed.
I recieved one of these scam checks about a month ago. I reseached the company Consumer Research Group out of canada and could not find any information on them. The check was said to be drawn from Wacovia bank by Walmart. It was for $3920.00 i deposited it into an account I did not use much and watched it for 7 days. Sure enough on the 6th day the check was found to be bogus. I knew it was too good to be true! Scammers will stop at nothing. I read somewhere that banks cannot put a hold on cashiers checks like these because they are obligated to make the finds available, but for some it is too late because they start to use the funds before the check is found to be fraud. What a racket scammers have going on!
I received a check for 4500.00 with instructions to cash it, spend 100.00 at Wal-Mart, wire 3800.00 to an individual named Scott Foster thru any local Money Gram office. I went to my bank and they would not cash it, but said that they had to deposit it with a hold until they could verify funds. I am truly upset as I am genuinely interested in this line of work while I finish school, and feel that it goes against all common decency to scam another in such a horrific way. I have read a lot of the previous comments and am so sorry for the heartache and troubles some have been through and am just grateful that I have not found myself out 4500 bucks!
The company represented to me is “GOLDMAN RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT”, A DIVISON OF MYSTERYSHOPONLINE.COM.
I also received a check for $ 4,998.oo on 05/21/2008. Thank you for the advice. I always deposit the check.
Mazinha
Thank you Sarah I just received a check from the exact same place, wondering if it was a scam or not i did some research read everybody comments on this page, no one had the same research group until I got to yours. Thank you again, Sincerely James.
I just got the same type of offer in the mail. The company was called Prime State Research and Development. A division of MysteryShopOnline.com. It was for $4,500 dollars and wanted me to buy something at Wal-Mart then send money through money gram. I am glad I did the research and found out that it was a scam before I moved forward on it.
Thanks,
Alex
I recently got a letter from prime state research&development.same thing 4500.00 spend 100.00 at walmart send the rest back in a money gram.Thank you all for making it clear that it is a scam
june 9, 2008
i recieved that same scam from prime state.
very official looking letter but how can they say
“a division of mystershoponline.com”?
what if you just cashed it? what would happen to me if it were not real?
I received a 4500.00 check from Prime State REsearch and Development. The bank could not get in touch with the bank it was drawn upon. This threw up a red flag immediately with me. I was supposed to do a money gram to Kevin Hayes in High Point North Carolina for 3800.00 and mystery shop at Walmart and keep the merchandise.
I just recieved yesterday a letter from:
The Park Hill,
Consuner Research Center
A Division of MysteryShopOnline.com
7 Elk Street,New York,Ny 1007
Head Office;504 Munroe st Abby,SK
Tel;1-514-699-5813 Fax;1-403-775-4378
This letter was sent from;
1220 Sheppard Ave E,
Suit#300
Toronto,ON M2K OA2 this dosent give a name of the company on the evnvelope,,,,,The check they sent is for 4,500.00,and it has an assighnment and a #1-514-699-5813 to call with my rep ID# and you said this is a scam so please feel free to use this info to sop the scamming ,,,,tnx Melanie B.
Well mine came today…Better Service Research Groupo, a dividion of Mysteryshoponline.com with both a NY and an ON address…phone numbers not traceable to anything. I called one, rang endlessly to a disconnect.
My check is for $3950 as well…the breakdown was my salary of $300, walmart purchase for me to keep of $100, a $2500 wire gram, an $850 wire gram, and $200 in fees.
I contacted the bank which is local to me, Bank America and they said they cannot verify funds over the phone, that I need to bring the check in.
I am going to do such, simply because if this is a scam, I will do anything in my power to assist in stopping it!
What if I were to have deposited this in my account? What if I had cashed it at a check cashing business? What if the bank tells me that they WILL cash it, but I am not their customer?
Oh…and bottom of letter says to ONLY cash/deposit the check after you have faxed your completed the form and faxed it. The “form” does not ask for ANY personal info such as SS# or bank info though.
Will update after I speak to the bank.
Mother Recieved a letter from:
The Park Hill
Consummer Research Center
The Park Hill Concumer Research Center
A Division of MysteryShopOnline.com
7Elk Street New York,NY 1007
Hedad Office: 504 Munroe St Abbey, SK
Tel 1-514-699-5813 Fax 1-403-775-4378
She called the number spoke to a woman who said her name was laura wilson was told to deposit the check for 4500. Shop walmart for 100.00 and keep merchandise and send 3800.00 money gram to the 504 munroe address. She was waiting for the fund to clear before doing this. this laura also told her once she was done to fax report and reciets then call the human resource person jeremy white at 1-514-572-1651. My mothers bank called her said the4500.00 check was returned fund unavailable and she was charged a 10.00 fee. when she tried to call this laura back for 4 hours there was know answer. so she then called Mr. White once she started to explain her problem he hung up and would not answer so she tried calling from her cell when he realized it was her he again hung up and has not answered again.
I believe I have you all beat!! Recd a letter similar to Kat E with my check being for $5950.00-of course being new to the internet I couldn’t believe my eyes but had been trying to get into ‘mystery shopping’ for quite some time so I thought “my ship finally came in” but of course was advised by 2 people ‘if it sounds too good to be true it usually is’ but at this point decided what do I have to lose?
@1 to fax the acceptance form back to Toronto and if the check does not clear as it should (within 24 hours(?) then it is a scam. Deposited the check on the 24th and received a letter from my bank today (26th) that they are delaying releasing the funds until August 8 as they feel this may be a bogus check. Since the ‘assignment’ needs to be completed within one week will be calling ‘Toronto’ on Monday to let them know assignment won’t be completed as requested bt have to tell you really did look ‘real’ and in speaking with ‘rep’ in Toronto sure sounded ‘real’!! Obviously I neeed to ‘get real’ and keep looking for another ‘in home’ job. Thanks for your expertise and info.
I can’t believe I’m saying this,but yes I was scammed to.Now usually I get scams like this in my email.But a week ago,I received a letter in the mail from,THE PARK HILL CONSUMER RESARCH CENTER.7 Elk street,NEW YORK,NY 10007. THE HEAD OFFICE:45 DUNCAN ST GLACE BAY,NS. TELEPHONE number is 1-514-699-5846, and FAX number is 1-403-775-4378. AND THE HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER SUPPOSE TO BE STEVEN BROWN. THE AMOUNT OF THE CHECK WAS 4,500.BOGAS CHECK,MY SALARY AND TRAINING PAY WAS $400 DOLLORS and was SUPPOSE TO BE RAISE TO $650 EVERY WEEK,AND AFTER 3 MONTHS $800.THEN I WAS SUPPOSE TO SPEND $100 DOLLARS AT WALMART AND THEN SEND 3,800 DOLLARS AT A NEAREST MONEY GRAM. THE PERSON NAME I WAS TALKING TO NAME WAS BRIAN MCCKINSEY.ANYWAY I TRIED DEPOSIT THIS CHECK IN MY ACCOUNT THAT I JUST OPENED BUTHE BANK SAID IT WAS A BAD CHECK AND I COULD GET IN TROUBLE FOR TRYING TO CASH IT> AND I BELIEVE THE 2 GUYS ARE THE SAME PEOPLE AND THEY ARE USING A CELLPHONE BECAUSE BRIAN RETURNED MY CALL.THE GUY STEVEN BROWN IS THE JACKASS THAT BITCH HUNG UP TWICE WHEN I SAID I NEED THE ADDRESS TO SEND THE CHECK BACK.BECAUSE I WASN’T SURE TO SEND IT BACK TO THE SAME ADDRESS.YOU GUYS USING THE INTERNET JUST BECAREFUL,AND WHEN YOU GET A BIG CHECK IN THE MAIL, SHRED THAT SHIT.we got to catch em>
AND THE OTHER NUMBER TO THAT STEVEN BROWN CHARACTER IS 1-514-572-1651.I TRIED TO TALK TO HIM AND HE HUNG UP ON ME TWICE.NOT PROFESIONAL AT ALL.THAT’S WHAT GAVE IT AWAY. THE PARK HILL CONSUMER RESEARCH CENTER.
THESE PEOPLE FROM THE SAME PLACE AND USING DIFFERENT NAMES WITH THE SAME CELL NUMBER.SIMILIAR TO KIM AND MELANIE B. STORY.
I received a check for $3,650.00 today from a company in Canada name PrimeTrust (a division of market consulting group). It stated they will pay $500.00 for the assignment, $50.00 for transportation and $150.00 to go to wal-mart, k-mart, home depor, sears or jc penney and I get to keep the items I purchase. Second, I am suppose to wire via money gram or western union $2,800.00 along with $150.00 service charge.
I went online to see if this company is legit and thank God i found this website. I can’t believe people really stoop this low.
Thanks,
Bernice
JMC Pro Solutions is the name on the letterhead of the letter I received a few days ago. Inside was a check for $4,250.00 and all I had to do was deposit it in my bank. These parasites prey on people that are looking for legitimiate online (which I do not believe exist)work and assume that I would try to cheat them by trying to keep all the money for myself and not do the work for it, i.e FREE MONEY…….woohoo. They didnt count on poor people being freaking poor AND honest. I called the bank and the company the check was written on and will be turning everything over to the police. I was told in the letter that I would have to do a survey at walmart and two money grams to be sent to Canada. The check was on a bank in Texas. This is a total scam and these people should be hanged like haman.
I would have been out of a lot of money and probably faced jail time and the company that the check was written on is totally innocent as their account information was hijacked to commit these crimes. All I did was request online LEGIT work and the vultures that circled found a potential dupe. I’m through with this online stuff and would rather work a second job at McDonalds.
I received one of these to over the weekend. I have called the number and left a message wanting to ask some questions and they never get back to me. I am so glad I checked online before cashing this check. We are already having a hard time….this would just make it worse.
Jacob….feel free to email me and I will give you all the information I have that is on the check, on the letter and the envelope.
I am really thankful I did research on this because just yesterday I received a check for 3800 dollars from a postmark in Canada a check drawn off an account called Sawyers Estates in Dallas Texas, but the check is from bank of america in tampa florida. My friend has been thru this and is still paying the bank back all of this is a fraud come on people who is really going to risk sending you a legitimate check for thousands of dollars without knowing anything about you no social security#, no homephone#, and also trust you enough to pay you before knowing that youeven complete the assignment. I have worked for legitimate mystery shopping companies and they do not pay 3800 dollars. The assignments I completed payed between $5-$20 dollars if they payed liked the companies claim to pay I would have easily quit my job that i have been on for 11 years. Please be aware an do not attempt to cash the checks or deposit them in your account, because I promise you, you will be sorry later, I know how tempting it sounds hell I was very damned tempted, but I knew it was wrong and thats why I searched for information on the internet and I found this info from jacob and everyone else who left comments. Thank you very much for sharing this valuable info. I know it saved me $3800 dollars of trouble. Becareful and god bless to all. Jacob if you have any questions you may email me, because no one on this site had received a check from the company I mentioned, so these scammers may be trying to get a lil sophisticated, but we have to stay a step ahead of them,so that no one else has to suffer.
I got one of those checks and I so wanted it to be real. I checked with the bank via my bank and the check was no good, this crushed me! But at least I am not out 4,250 dollars!!!
by the way, the company that sent my check was Brookfield Infrastucture Partnership in Pittsburgh, Pa and the bank was Mellon Bank of New York, don’t know if anyone else got scammed by the same name, I have all of my paperwork including the check, I turned them in to the B.B.B. and the IC3 internet crime reporting that is also linked to the F.B.I. I hope they get caught soon!!!!
I want to thank everybody for their postings. I too received a check for $4,250, and if it wasn’t for this site, I would of followed the instructions on the letter. Again, thank you, and hopefully those bad guys are caught.
Hi Jacob,
I really appreciate that you have taken the time to put up this website. I just received a check for $3,950.00 along with an assinment for walmart and money gram. I gotta tell ya, the offer was very tempting, but I noticed that in the envelop there is one address then in the check it comes from a bank and then they used a business to represent their company with a totally different address. I started doing research about this compnay and the bank, and I found your website while doing this research. I started reading other people’s stories on here and then I realized this was a scam. I dont believe I ever encountered anything like this. Could you please advise me on what to do? Thanx again for your help.
Gee
Gee:
I got the same scam sent to me. I didn’t do anything for the company and told them if they contacted me again I would file charges againt them. Hope you didn’t lose any money over it.
Megan
I received a check for $4,250 and I was supposeed to keep $400 for my work,I have 3 assigment the firts one was to go to Wall-Mark and purchase $60 and write an evualation about their services. Second assigment a Money Grant transaction for the amount of $1,860 to be send to Diana Mcbee, Human resource manager in the city of Brandon, State MB, cpuntry of Canada. 3st assigment a Maney Grant transaction for the amount of $1,800 to be send to Gregory Kane, Director of Operation at the Head Office. After the transactions I was suppossed to call 1(514)839-7186 and give the transaction numbers. I did not catch the check. This company address is P.O.Box 899, Colwood, BC Canada.
i wasnt sure if i needed to put my email or psycial address.my address is,9901 e fowler ave. #c-8
thonotoasassa,florida
33592
my room mate received a check from:
Research Group
a division of mysteryshoponline.com
300 w 57th street new-york ny 10019
1000 ottawa rd,windsor on n9r 2y5
tel:1-514-561-9875 fax 1-928-438-5764
position:customer service evaluator
rep id # 29098700
i suspected this to be a scam right away.the above information is on the letter head.
i did a little research and discovered this to be what suspected, a scam.the check is from jedlicka’s which i find to be some type of a westernware store.the check (#085874)it drawn off of mid state bank
2222 bath street
santa barbara,ca93105
i hope that this information helps aid in putting these people out of business and where they belong.
i will be taking the check to the police and also to the states attornys office.
Ken.Harp
my room mate received a check from:
Research Group
a division of mysteryshoponline.com
300 w 57th street new-york ny 10019
1000 ottawa rd,windsor on n9r 2y5
tel:1-514-561-9875 fax 1-928-438-5764
position:customer service evaluator
rep id # 29098700
i suspected this to be a scam right away.the above information is on the letter head.
i did a little research and discovered this to be what suspected, a scam.the check is from jedlicka’s which i find to be some type of a westernware store.the check (#085874)it drawn off of mid state bank
2222 bath street
santa barbara,ca93105
i hope that this information helps aid in putting these people out of business and where they belong.
i will be taking the check to the police and also to the states attornys office.
Ken.Harp
I already posted about what I received…but wanted to update on what occurred.
Of course I was suspicious all along…there is a saying, “If it’s too good to be true, then it IS TOO GOOD to be true!” LOL
But I will be honest…I NEEDED that money! And since I was not depositing it into my personal account…only attempting to cash it…then, I figured, “what they hey” and I took it to the bank it was drawn on.
Initially, the teller told me that it WAS a real account, but that she could not cash it at this time…and she could not tell me any specific info as to why. I questioned it further…and she ended up getting a superior of hers who knew more…and they kept the check for their fraud department. I did (and I suggest this to others) make them copy it for me, and write a small statement that I brought the check to their attention and what occurred. I also allowed them to copy all of the other stuff (envelope, instruction sheet, etc) for their files…because I did not want MY name and prints associated with this in a negative manner!
I was told that, had I gone to a check cashing place…it possibly would have been cashed (bad in the long run…they would have pursued me to pay it back!) because when they pinged the bank, they would have only been told it WAS A VALID ACCOUNT, and they would have cashed it.
The thing that really ticked me off is, it was NOT a simple task to report this to the appropriate authorities! The bank said their own fraud dept. would handle it…but I wanted the local police and other agenicies notified…because obviously this is still going strong! I know a police officer who does internet and computer crimes investigating…so there is a dept in every police dept.
But these scammers are targeting people who deposit them into their own accounts…and then have to pay the money back in the long run. I am ticked off that, while MysteryShop may not have anything to do with it directly…they HAVE allowed someone to breach their mailing list.
A couple of months ago I did 3 shops for a company here called Pacific Sales. I never got paid but I don’t remember who the mystery shopping company was that assigned it. Does anyone know who might be doing those shops. Thanks PAul Ehrenberg.
i got a check like that too in the mail(fed-ex) the people are trying to get me to send them money western union.
My daughter and I have been doing our own investigation into one of these letters which was sent to me. Tomorrow morning I am going to contact the FBI, and perhaps the States Attorney’s Office. These people are using the United States Postal Service with intent to commit fraud via mail. That is a Federal offense, and only one of the offenses that these people can be charged with. I am remaining anonymous, but the person who operates this web site may contact me via my email address and I will talk privately.
I cannot post details on this site because it could disrupt what we intend to do.
I have the people who sent me the offer in the mail on the hook thinking I am going to do this. I hope this can be used to spring a trap.
FOLLOW UP:
Apparently, according to the FBI, this is a Nigerian based scam. Any attempt at back tracking has proved to be futile to the FBI agents who have attempted it. What should be done is for everyone who is aware of the scam to contact any and all media offices in their area and see if they are aware of it. If not, then inform and educate them with hopes that they will inform and educate people before they fall into this trap.
I GOT A CHECK FOR 4250.00 TODAY FROM HOME INSTEAD INC. IM SO THANKFUL I CAME ACROSS THIS WEBSITE. I HAD A FEELING IT WAS A SCAM BUT NEVER HAD ANYTHING SENT TO ME LIKE THIS. I CALLED THE BANK AND SURELY ENOUGH IT WAS A FAKE CHECK. THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO POSTED THEIR STORYS. IT SAVED ME FROM FALLING FOR THIS SCAM.
Well, I deposited mine. I’ve been doing quite a bit of activity that some similarity. So, I called the number on the letter and spoke with the man via the number they sent about how usually I would get a 10 day hold on a check of $1000 or more. I explained to him that I would not be able to do anything until after the check cleared, and requested that I not send the acceptence fax until I knew I had a week to take care of it. He told me to go ahead and deposit the check, which I did.
This afternoon, due to my deferments having not yet occurred (I wasn’t in school for a year), I checked my account to find that the check amount had been subtracted including an additional $500. Now I’m an additional $500 short in my account. I called the bank and they told me that the bank where the check came from had put a stop payment on it. This man I spoke with Adam Stevens won’t return the call and I’m just torn up.
I knew of a woman who was a secret shopper and made quite a good deal of money at it. So I found my experience outrageous. I don’t understand the $500 loss at all.
I got a letter and a check from Canada. The company name is:
Progressive Marketing
Research and Development
A Division of MysteryShopOnline.com
HEAD OFFICE: P.O box 310 Chester, NS Canada
Tel: 1-514-746-0736 FAX:1-250-984-7557
The check is from:
INTERNATIONAL INSTALLATIONS INC
833 Wooster Road N.
Barberton, OH 44203-1664
in the amount of $4,250.00
The phone number is not listed on the check but I found it through searching Yellow Pages website it is 1-330-848-4800.
Salary and training pay - $400.00
Tasks include:
Wal-Mart purchase - $60.00
1st Money Gram transaction - $1,860.00
2nd Money Gram transaction - $1,800.00
(both to be sent to two separate people in Canada - one Rita Jones in Melfort, SK Canada and one Leo Klein in Chester NS Canada, Leo Klein is also listed as the Director of Operations at their Head Office.)
Service Charge by Money Gram - $130.00
They want me to contact ‘my’ assignment coordinator at 1-514-746-0736.
My plan is to first contact my local FBI, then my bank, the FTC and the Better Business Bureau. Good luck on busting these people. If I can be of any help at all please feel free to contact me at the email address provided.
i had received one in the mail today and the check looks totally real and i actually called the place and they sounded very convincing. i told them that i will call back later and tried to find them online. well i cant find them anywhere or there address. the adress they gave me didnt even give a floor number.(since its in New York it has to have a floor number) I called back and asked what the floor number was and she sounded dumbfounded and then answered 4th floor. well im not as convinced any more. then i started looking at the check and if u look really closely, I mean like very closely it has void written all over the check. it is really hard to see. its dotted in capitol letters and is the same color as the check. the name of the company is CUSTOMER FIRST. SO DONT CASH THOSE CHECKS!
my son recvd and cashed the check and sent the 1st 1860. to angela gibson in canada..i stopped him from sending the 2nd…but now the kid is out 2400. and has no way to repay…i have contacted fbi, phone busters and federal trade…
Yes i did recieve one of the big check and i call in about that and the lady told me every little detail she had and told me that it is ligit.I dont really believe in that..What should I do..Low on money right now and try to improve my income but, this oppurtunity is very risky.Any recommendations you have for me..