Q: Hi and thanks for your website. It would be nice to have your email. I received a letter from “Excellence Research Inc. out of State College, Pa. who gave me a Mystery Shopper assignment with a $3790 check. I called a man with a very thick Spanish or Middle Eastern accent gave me just a few details and said there are no forms to fill out just call him back with information when I’m done. Doesn’t sound ‘kosher’ to me. Is it? Thanks for any information.
A: First of all – there MAY be a legitimate company called “Excellence Research, Inc.” – if so then the following has NOTHING to do with THAT company – in other words someone would be using their name without their permission.
It’s a form of Advance Fee fraud or Overpayment scam.
What will happen is that the check will clear initially because banks clear checks fast initially but don’t do a full
check. Then they’ll ask you to wire money back to them (they’ll give you some reason). In a few days the check will bounce and you’ll be liable to the bank for the amount of the check.
There are hundreds of variations of this scam, but the ending is always the same. The check will bounce and you will owe the bank the money.
You can read about one variation here:
http://migration.kentucky.gov/Newsroom/aag/mysteryshopperscam.htm
Let me know if you need anything else.
Follow up Question:
Thanks.
It’s not a nice thing to do to someone with so little money at Christmas. 
It was truly too good to be true.
Should I mail this check to the S. Carolina Attorney Generals office or just tear it up and throw it away?
…..and is there one website or link to show me how to get a legitimate Mystery Shopper job?
Thanks for any help and thanks for responding so quickly and professionally on the scam.
Answer:
For learning about how to Mystery Shop, I’d recommend:
- http://www.mysteryshoppersmanual.com/
- http://www.katieshugs.com (see the “Message Board” link on the left).
- http://www.mystershop.org is the official Mystery Shopping Organization
- http://www.wahm.com/forum/forum_topics.asp?FID=44 Posts a lot of assignments.
- And of course the free Mystery Shopping Report here at WorkAtHomeTruth which it looks like you already found.
I asked Lynn at http://www.eagleresearchassociates.org and here’s what he said about who to report it to:
“The most important place to report it to is the Post Master General (USPS).
Also, tell them to contact their local DA, their state AG, and report it to ic3. Also tell them to contact the bank listed on the check to make them aware of the situation. Many times they’re already aware, but to play safe they need to contact them to make sure they do know about them. Also tell them to see if the company from which the check supposedly was being sent from, as well as the company the check was drawn against were real. If so, contact them and let them know their names are being libeled.
Many times the companies named have no idea someone is using their name to steal. That’s why we tell people to contact them. This way the companies can also file a complaint with law enforcement and the various regulatory agencies.
Always make a copy of the check and keep it for your own file. Make sure it is a certified copy.
You certify a check by taking it to the bank. They make a copy and they certify the copy they made for you is a true copy of the original the copy was made from.”
Related: You can find your State Attorney General at http://naag.org/attorneys_general.php
The slot machine was introduced to San Francisco by Charles Fey in 1887. At that time, gamblers who entertained themselves with the coin-operated machines could win free drinks and cigars.
Slip your cash and the credit card into the front pockets of your jeans or slacks.
Arrange for a bus, public transport service, a cab, or casino-provided shuttle service to transport you to the casino from an anonymous location, such as a “park and commute” parking lot. You don’t want anyone to connect you to your personally registered vehicle.
Act normally when you arrive at the casino. Do not call attention to yourself in any way. Wander around aimlessly and innocently for a while, giving the impression that you are in the process of choosing a slot machine to play with.
g change. Ask the teller to exchange 20 ones for your 20-dollar bill for you, and request the complimentary big plastic cup that you’ll need when the slot machine begins spitting out all those quarters at you. Inform the teller that you feel lucky, and ask for a second cup. These actions are very important because you will look like any other honest, normal gambler to the suspicious officials patrolling the area. Try not to look nervous. Go and use the restroom. It will make you feel better.
Casually saunter up to an available slot machine. Have a seat and stick a one-dollar bill in the money slot. Look normal by continuing to play and feeding the machine a few more dollar bills.
Stand up and slowly turn around to “stretch.” Bend at the hips with a few side-to-side motions. Place your hands on the small of your back and arch your upper body backward. With your backside facing the slot machine, casually slip your hands from your back down into your pockets. Grab the magnets in your back pockets and conceal them by closing your fists as you withdraw your hands from the pockets. Keep stretching and yawn once or twice. Scratch something to add a creative touch of authenticity.
stretching and throw in another yawn. Lean forward, placing your closed fists directly on the glass front of the slot machine for no more than 30 seconds. Magnets work quickly. Stretch some more and try yawning again as you count out the 30 seconds. The slot machine is now successfully magnetized. Silently rejoice, because you’ll soon be “in the money.” Try not to smile much as you turn around to stretch some more so that you can slip the magnets back into your pockets.
Sit back down and feed the slot machine another dollar. Grab both of your complimentary big plastic cups, pull the machine’s lever and prepare for it to spew forth a deluge of what is sure to be thousands upon thousands of quarters.
Comply immediately when you feel the hand clap on your shoulder and hear the verbal command, “Freeze, Dirt-bag.” When directed to do so, turn around slowly to face one of the casino’s many, many bouncers. Marvel at how large he is. Interlock your fingers behind your head as directed by the bouncer because he wants to “frisk” you. Cringe when the magnets in your pockets are discovered; it’s all right for you to be very afraid at this point.
Sit quietly and behave yourself while viewing the surveillance replay tape recounting your actions, provided courtesy of the casino’s security staff. Smile and thank the security folks when they kindly play the tape again for you. This is their concept of entertaining casino guests who are detained and awaiting the arrival of local law enforcement authorities.
Smile pretty and wave amicably at the surveillance cameras when the cops come for you. Start fabricating a tale to relate to your spouse, and resolve to stick to it – no matter what.