fake check scams

Media Inc. Financial Warning

First of all – there MAY be a legitimate company called “Media Inc. Financial” – if so then the following has NOTHING to do with THAT company – in other words someone would be using their name without their permission.

Q: You guys have helped me before, now I have another issue. I got a check in the mail for $3,950.00, from Media Inc. Financial, stated that I have been “hereby selected to participate in a paid Consumer Research Program in your area of residence as a Mystery Shopper…”

The check looks legit, I had to call them and let them know the Representative ID #, talked to assignment coordinator PAUL STONE @ 1-514-578-2591, to confirm the recept of this check. They want me to deposit check, wait til it clears (24 to 48 hours) then buy 140.00 item at Wal-mart, return it thirty minutes later,evaluate the return desk efficiency and then send $3,340.00 to a “Karen Nestlenut” in LA, California via Money gram and athen evaluate that procedure as well, paying me $300.00.

The breakdown of the check is as follows: 300.00 my pay, 140.00 shopping money, 170.00 service charge for money gram, 3340.00 to send to Karen Nestlenut. Total $3950.00.

The Makret Research, Training & Consulting as it says of heading of letter, is located at 4915 Eglinton Ave. West 16th FL ON,M5R 1K7. Do you know whats up with this? I could use the money but it sounds very odd.

A: Once again – there MAY be a legitimate company called “Media Inc. Financial” – if so then the following has NOTHING to do with THAT company – in other words someone would be using their name without their permission.

Bottom line: This is NOT how real Mystery Shopping companies work. This is almost certainly an 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.

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.

Lynn at http://www.eagleresearchassociates.org has explained how to report these types of checks in the past:

“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

Wisdom Wholesale scam

Q: Have you ever heard of “wisdom wholesale”? I applied for a ADMIN ASSITANT job from Craigslist.they mailed me over a 2,000 check,i am to cash it,take out 125.00 and mail the rest to someone in Africa. I really feel uncomfortable with someone mailing me that amount of money without even knowing me.I am returning the full amount to the company that sent it to me.and that company was “xpressbet.INC” have you ever heard of any of these?

A: I’m sorry I missed this email. I didn’t see it.

This is a form of advance fee fraud.

After you send your money, the check will bounce and then you’ll be responsible
for paying the bank the amount that bounced.

I’m so sorry I missed this

Paul

Here is some more detailed information from the Federal Trade Commission:

You and Your Bank — Who is Responsible for What?

Under federal law, banks must make funds available to you from U.S. Treasury checks, official bank checks (cashier’s checks, certified checks, and teller’s checks), and checks paid by government agencies at the opening of business the day after you deposit the check. For other checks, banks must similarly make the first $100 available the day after you deposit the check. Remaining funds must be made available on the second day after the deposit if payable by a local bank, and within five days if drawn on distant banks.

However, just because funds are available on a check you’ve deposited doesn’t mean the check is good. It’s best not to rely on money from any type of check (cashier, business or personal check, or money order) unless you know and trust the person you’re dealing with or, better yet — until the bank confirms that the check has cleared. Forgeries can take weeks to be discovered and untangled. The bottom line is that until the bank confirms that the funds from the check have been deposited into your account, you are responsible for any funds you withdraw against that check.

Protecting Yourself

Here’s how to avoid a counterfeit check scam:

Throw away any offer that asks you to pay for a prize or a gift. If it’s free or a gift, you shouldn’t have to pay for it. Free is free.
Resist the urge to enter foreign lotteries. It’s illegal to play a foreign lottery through the mail or the telephone, and most foreign lottery solicitations are phony.
Know who you’re dealing with, and never wire money to strangers.
If you’re selling something, don’t accept a check for more than the selling price, no matter how tempting the offer or how convincing the story. Ask the buyer to write the check for the correct amount. If the buyer refuses to send the correct amount, return the check. Don’t send the merchandise.
As a seller, you can suggest an alternative way for the buyer to pay, like an escrow service or online payment service. There may be a charge for an escrow service. If the buyer insists on using a particular escrow or online payment service you’ve never heard of, check it out. Visit its website, and read its terms of agreement and privacy policy. Call the customer service line. If there isn’t one — or if you call and can’t get answers about the service’s reliability — don’t use the service. To learn more about escrow services and online payment systems, visit ftc.gov/onlineshopping.
If you accept payment by check, ask for a check drawn on a local bank, or a bank with a local branch. That way, you can make a personal visit to make sure the check is valid. If that’s not possible, call the bank where the check was purchased, and ask if it is valid. Get the bank’s phone number from directory assistance or an Internet site that you know and trust, not from the check or from the person who gave you the check.
If the buyer insists that you wire back funds, end the transaction immediately. Legitimate buyers don’t pressure you to send money by wire transfer services. In addition, you have little recourse if there’s a problem with a wire transaction.
Resist any pressure to “act now.” If the buyer’s offer is good now, it should be good after the check clears.

If You Think You’re a Victim

If you think you’ve been targeted by a counterfeit check scam, report it to the following agencies:

The Federal Trade Commission Visit ftc.gov or 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357). • The U.S. Postal Inspection Service Visit www.usps.gov/websites/depart/inspect or call your local post office. The number is in the Blue Pages of your local telephone directory.
Your state or local consumer protection agencies Visit www.naag.org for a list of state Attorneys General, or check the Blue Pages of your local telephone directory for appropriate phone numbers.

For More Information

The FTC works for the consumer to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and to provide information to help consumers spot, stop, and avoid them. To file a complaint or to get free information on consumer issues, visit ftc.gov or call toll-free, 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357); TTY: 1-866-653-4261. The FTC enters consumer complaints into the Consumer Sentinel Network, a secure online database and investigative tool used by hundreds of civil and criminal law enforcement agencies in the U.S. and abroad.