Although it has been written about on this blog, in our newsletters, it has been reported in national magazines, local newspapers and on television news programs, I still get calls from those who fall victim to check scams and have lost thousands with no
recourse.
How do these people get names of potential victims?
1. People who respond to unsoliciated emails
2. People who go to online job boards such as JobMonkey
3. People who answer ads in the classifieds
4. Craigslist
There comes a time when it is the person's responsibility to research the mystery shopping company. Relying on information on a letterhead is not good enough. Letters are usually sent with a legitimate mystery shopping company's name and address on the letterhead, sometimes their logo. Here are some tips.
1. Legit mystery shopping companies will not send you a check to deposit into your account and have you wire a portion back
2, Look at the envelope. Was it sent certified mail?
3. Was the check sent from Canada or another foreign country?
4. Look up the company on the MSPA web site www.mysteryshop.org. If they are a member call them directly using the phone number listed on the MSPA site. If they are not a member see if the company has a web site and call the number listed
5. Check the Better Business Bureau
6. Go to www.manta.com, type in the company name and see if they are a corporation. You can usually get the office number from there.
7. DO NOT TRUST anything on the letter.
I have in my office close to $20,000 in fradulent checks sent in by people who did take the time to check things out but I have received calls from unemployed people, people on fixed incomes, retirees who lost thousands and have no way in recovering their loss.
I know you have heard this before but IF IT SEEMS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE IT PROBABLY IS.
