Beware of Scam: mysteryshopping.org & rogers.com

[Mini Mia]

Return Path: [e-mail]

We have a mystery shopping assignment.
Date: 11th April,2010
Email: ([e-mail])

"We have a mystery shopping assignment in your area and we would like you to participate"

Secret Shopper(R) is accepting applications for qualified individuals to become mystery shoppers. It's fun and rewarding, and you choose when and where you want to shop. You are never obligated to accept an assignment.

There is no charge to become a shopper and you do not need previous experience. After you sign up, you will have access to training materials via e-mail, fax or postal mail.

ABOUT US

Secret Shopper(R) is the premier mystery shopping company, serving clients across America with over 500,000 shoppers available and ready to help businesses better serve their customers. Continual investment in the latest internet and communication technologies coupled with over 16 years of know-how means working with Secret Shopper(R) is a satisfying and rewarding experience.

Secret shopping as seen on ABC NEWS, NBC NEWS, L.A.TIMES. Stores and organizations such as The Gap, Walmart, Pizza Hut, and Bank. One amongst many others pay for Secret Shoppers to shop in their establishments and report their experiences. On top of being paid for shopping you are also allowed to keep purchases for free. Secret Shopper(R) NEVER charge fees to the shopper. Training, tips for improvement, and shopping opportunities are provided free to registered shoppers. Mystery shoppers are either paid a prearranged fee for a particular shop, a reimbursement for a purchase or a combination of both.

You will be required to interact with the shop clerk.

You may conduct the shop alone or as a couple.

The assignment will pay $200.00/ Assignment

Kindly Fill Out the application form below and we will get back to you shortly with the assignment to this email ([e-mail]):

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

First Name:
Last Name:
Street Address:
City, State, Zip Code:
Cell Phone Number:
Home Phone Number:

AVAILABILITY:

Days/Hours Available

Monday .............................................
Tuesday .............................................
Wednesday .............................................
Thursday .............................................
Friday .............................................
Saturday .............................................
Sunday .............................................

Hours Available: from _______ to ______

We await your urgent response.

Thank you for your help.

We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,

Frank James
Secret Shopper(R)

Anti-Fraud International:
Frank James, Secret Shopper


Anti-Fraud International

[Mini Mia]

Okay. I got the above email today and then Googled it to find the thread and website above. I then go to visit the Poe blog, which I didn't get online to see yesterday, and it mentions 'mystery shopping.' Weird how things work out that way sometimes.

Apparently 'Mystery Shopping' isn't a total scam. It just depends on the people behind it. Some are legit, and some aren't. I don't intend to find out if my email is legit.

Saturday, April 10, 2010
Don't Talk To Me, I Might Be Working
Simon Wood

[Lesa]

I'll second what this real secret shopper said. I was secret shopped quite a few times when I worked at a grocery store, and I saw the multi-page questionnaires they filled out afterward.

Also, when I worked at a bank, we had a customer who brought in a cashier's check for $8000 and wanted to deposit it. Luckily, he told us how he received the check, and we determined that he was the victim of advance fee fraud. When he sold something on ebay, they sent him a check for way too much, and asked him to wire them the difference. He had already shipped out the merchandise, unfortunately, but at least we were able to stop him from wiring the money.

Obviously (to me), the Frank James secret shopper scam is another advance fee fraud.