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

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