SCAM warning if you do mystery shops!!! Please READ!!

[jenniferhoder]

FYI, I have been a mystery shopper for about 4 years. I have used very well known companies, but I received an e-mail from someone, who apparently I didn't read into too well. I received 2 postal service money orders each for $995.00 and was given instructions on how my shop would be performed. I was to receive $200.00 for this shop. Now, because I know better, I did a little research. The money orders are counterfeit, and I looked a little closer at the info sent to me. An envelope from one person, but the names on money orders something completely different! Just BEWARE! Mystery shopping companies normally don't pay that much! Keep your eyes open! I am trying to decide whether I should report this to the police, or contact the post office since that's where the money orders were drawn from???

[franlee46]

FYI, I have been a mystery shopper for about 4 years. I have used very well known companies, but I received an e-mail from someone, who apparently I didn't read into too well. I received 2 postal service money orders each for $995.00 and was given instructions on how my shop would be performed. I was to receive $200.00 for this shop. Now, because I know better, I did a little research. The money orders are counterfeit, and I looked a little closer at the info sent to me. An envelope from one person, but the names on money orders something completely different! Just BEWARE! Mystery shopping companies normally don't pay that much! Keep your eyes open! I am trying to decide whether I should report this to the police, or contact the post office since that's where the money orders were drawn from???

@jenniferhoder hello you should definitely contact the Post Office and the police but first make sure you make copies of everything because the authorities will need the money oders I used to work for a bank and I had a customer that received Money orders and after he deposited them and wrote checks against them he found out they were counterfeit Created a huge mess So yes take them to the Post Office but make sure you copy everything first and note what you did Just To Be Safe  Good Luck

[jenniferhoder]

Thank you for the advice! I will certainly make sure to make a few copies... it's weird b/c the person has used multiple different e-mail accounts too; I am glad I didn't give him any personal info tho; I hope this guy gets BUSTED!! Thanks again for the advice!

[kangagirl1321]

yeah i had someone send me a foney check and i deposited it but i never took ne thing out as i was supposed to and then they charged me with handling a bad check. great.

[kathytx38]

I got that one time also I threw it away cause the police sai there was nothing they would cause it was to hard to track

[easy2earn]

I would never even consider mystery shopping.  I hate to shop to begin with and the threat of scams is just too much.  Id much rather spend my time on established sites where I can see valid payment proofs. Thanks for the heads up though.

[jearen]

I heard that some of the mystery shoppers were scams, I think Secret Shopper is well known for this. I know there are some legitimate ones that do pay. You were smart to take notice of the checks and everything. It is a shame that there are so many s ams out there when people are just trying to make a living.

[dbreidenbach]

Being a secret shopper isn't difficult, but it certainly doesn't pay well.  My neighbor does them, and the most he was ever paid was $20, but that was one of those rare ones.  Personally, I don't bother because the amount of gas I would have to use to get there would mean I'd have to spend more money than I would make. 

[alsoyoutube]

whats a mystery shopper?

[blondie71]

I am not a fan of the mystery shopper my sister got a check put it through my account so may bank after three days gave her some of the money because it looked like it cleared and it did't and my bank charged me a bounce fee. I my sister took care of my account but she ended up loosing money I don't trust that proram at all.

[manders8]

Thank you for sharing this information with all of us. A good friend of mine had a problem with a Scam through a company claiming to be a Mystery Shopping Company. Its always good to do a little research if something just doesn't seem right or is to good to be true.

[jenniferhoder]

alsoyoutube: mystery shopping is where you are paid to shop! The ones I usually do are calls to dealerships to inquire on a new car, or the internet shops. Those are the best ones and easy money....They also have ones where you go to say a well known store and shop for things like Appliances, TV, Gaming system, etc. You do have to make a small purchase for those types, which they will reimburse you. If you want to send me your e-mail address, I can send you a really good company (since we aren't suppose to post those things here) My e-mail is jenmplu@yahoo.com if you are interested.

[srikesena]

THanks for da heads up...thanx for sharing..

[saho44]

FYI, I have been a mystery shopper for about 4 years. I have used very well known companies, but I received an e-mail from someone, who apparently I didn't read into too well. I received 2 postal service money orders each for $995.00 and was given instructions on how my shop would be performed. I was to receive $200.00 for this shop. Now, because I know better, I did a little research. The money orders are counterfeit, and I looked a little closer at the info sent to me. An envelope from one person, but the names on money orders something completely different! Just BEWARE! Mystery shopping companies normally don't pay that much! Keep your eyes open! I am trying to decide whether I should report this to the police, or contact the post office since that's where the money orders were drawn from???

Thanks for the information! I got a lot of e-mails about Mystery shopping but never try to do them.

[20TheBoyz10]

I recently received a check in the mail for nearly $5,000 from what appeared to be a legit mystery shopping company.  The old saying "If it looks/sounds too good to be true, it probably is!"  popped into my head immediately.  I did some researching thru the internet and BBB. YEP!  Scam!  The check noted:  CITIBANK, N.A.  as well as  Smith & Barney Financial Group~~both supposedly located in Wilmigton, DE.  The envelope was posted from Canada with no return address on it. The correspondence referenced a company website:  SERVICEEVALUATIONS.COM   and indicated locations in NJ  &  NY, yet the phone # was in Canada.  I spoke to my local "authorities"  who did nothing more than make me feel like an idiot for bringing this to their attention      A local bank representative confirmed the check was fraudulent--although a Very Accurately "forged" item.  So, Yes....Everyone needs to Beware and practice Due Diligence.