Question for everyone....

[tslater1]

Ok so I had signed up with a Nielsen Research Group and today I get a check in the mail for $2400 to complete Secret Shopper type of survey with that will pay $300 and the merchandise I purchase at Walmart. However one of the things that has to be completed is to Western Union Money Transfer with the funds that they have given. I called my bank who checked the validity of the bank ad then called the bank in NJ as I was told to do where I hit a BRICK WALL  They verified the account is active and owned by the company who is on the check but couldn't verify anything about the funds availability for the check...my question is...HAS ANYONE out there dealt with this company before thru the email offer and was it legitimate or did they drain your account the amount of the check? It does say I have 48hrs after receipt to complete the surveys, yet it takes at least that long for my bank to clear the funds! ANY ANSWERS would be great! ty 

[sfister65]

Ok so I had signed up with a Nielsen Research Group and today I get a check in the mail for $2400 to complete Secret Shopper type of survey with that will pay $300 and the merchandise I purchase at Walmart. However one of the things that has to be completed is to Western Union Money Transfer with the funds that they have given. I called my bank who checked the validity of the bank ad then called the bank in NJ as I was told to do where I hit a BRICK WALL  They verified the account is active and owned by the company who is on the check but couldn't verify anything about the funds availability for the check...my question is...HAS ANYONE out there dealt with this company before thru the email offer and was it legitimate or did they drain your account the amount of the check? It does say I have 48hrs after receipt to complete the surveys, yet it takes at least that long for my bank to clear the funds! ANY ANSWERS would be great! ty 

DO NOT DO THIS. It is a scam. I received a check with the exact same instructions. I did research on the BBB and check with a web site that monitors this kind of stuff. I think it was Survey Police or something like that. I finally contacted the company on the check and they new nothing about this. They were a manufacturing company. I gave the all the information I could so they could research it on there own. You can get fined or even jail time for this kind of scam.

[kjstrukel]

I agree whole heartedly..  this has Scam written all over it!  Run, Forest, Run!

[dmahoney]

If you listen to Clark Howard on the radio at all he would say that this is a scam. You should never have to cash a check and then send them money back. Why would a legit company need you to do that? Just asking!? Avoid this co.

[swogden]

I agree with all the cautions above.  If you deposit the check, your bank will accept it and probably allow you to draw on it.  However, the check will bounce.  The bank will not only reverse the credit they provided, they will also charge you a fee for the bounced check.

If you send them money, you will be out what you send them as well as the fee for the bounced check. 

[CharmedPhoenix]

That's definitely a scam.  You were wise to make calls and check it out.  Don't ever take such an offer.  Did it say it was related to the Nielson group?  Nielson has been around a long time.  They could have gotten your name some other way. 

There are legitimate secret shopper companies, but they won't ask you to do such a thing.  You would have to apply for a job with them, then you could choose from a list of "shops".  You would do the "shop", submit the required report and your receipt (for lunch or specific items) then they would pay you.  They will not over pay you and have you send some back. 

Whenever they tell you to send some back, pay the delivery company, etc it should send up a big red flag. 

Congratulations, you are too smart for the scammers. 

[imwicked]

Ok so I had signed up with a Nielsen Research Group and today I get a check in the mail for $2400 to complete Secret Shopper type of survey with that will pay $300 and the merchandise I purchase at Walmart. However one of the things that has to be completed is to Western Union Money Transfer with the funds that they have given. I called my bank who checked the validity of the bank ad then called the bank in NJ as I was told to do where I hit a BRICK WALL  They verified the account is active and owned by the company who is on the check but couldn't verify anything about the funds availability for the check...my question is...HAS ANYONE out there dealt with this company before thru the email offer and was it legitimate or did they drain your account the amount of the check? It does say I have 48hrs after receipt to complete the surveys, yet it takes at least that long for my bank to clear the funds! ANY ANSWERS would be great! ty 

I got the exact same thing and took it to the bank they said it was a fraud,and they turned it over to the banks fraud department. I really wanted it to be real but didn't want to take any chances. I say take it to your bank and have them deal with it.

[kingreyam24]

I got that same one too about a year ago. Definitely don't do what it says. I researched it and it said it was a scam. I tossed mine. I wouldn't think it has anything to do with Neilsen though. They seem pretty reputable, but I have been mistaken before.