BBB Warning: Don’t Fall for Local Mystery Shopping Scam!

The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers that thieves are using the name of a legitimate BBB Accredited Business in the mystery shopping industry to scam people across the country.

The owner of Measure Consumer Perspectives, Kimberly Nasief, has received calls from consumers all over the U.S. who say they received a hefty check from her company, along with a letter stating they have been chosen for two mystery shopping assignments. The letter looks legitimate with the company’s logo and a reference to the company being a BBB Accredited Business.

So far, the BBB has received one local complaint related to this scam, but it expects to hear from more consumers. The local man is apparently out $8,000. He wired the money to Canada.

The letter being sent to consumers states they have 7 days to finish the two assignments. One assignment includes evaluating a wiring service (Western Union or Money Gram). The consumer is told to take the check they were sent, keep a portion of it and wire the rest of the money back to them. The check is fake and the consumer is out the money.

The letter has a phone number included, which is located in Quebec. When Nasief called, she got a voicemail with her company’s name on it. The scammers called her back and when she told them who she was, they hung up on her.

Apparently, the scam artists are focusing on consumers who have posted resumes on job search sites. They are using the address on the job seeker’s resume to send out the letters.

Ms. Nasief further says, “My company does not send checks to engage consumers in mystery shopping. Any mystery shopping offer that involves the wiring of money is a scam.” Her company is working with the BBB, Mystery Shopper Providers Association, the Federal Trade Commission, and the FBI to get the matter resolved.

If you have fallen victim to this scam, the BBB suggests you contact your local FBI office. The BBB will accept complaints related to this scam, but they cannot be formally processed. BBB will forward them to the FBI for their information and possible law enforcement action.

Mystery shopping is a valuable tool used by some of the largest retailers, restaurants, and banks to understand and enhance the experience they provide to customers. Unfortunately, thieves are using this type of business to scam consumers on a daily basis.

Mystery shopping is not a quick and easy way to make a large sum of money and receive “freebies.” The Mystery Shopping Providers Association has developed the following tips for those interested in becoming a mystery shopper:

· Prospective shoppers do not have to pay a fee to become a mystery shopper. Shoppers should be extremely wary of any mystery shopping offer that requests a fee.

· Visit the MSPA Web site (www.mysteryshop.org/shoppers) for a list of reputable mystery shopping companies and opportunities. Contact the companies directly, not the MSPA, for more information on how to become a shopper.

· Be patient. It takes time, sometimes months or even longer, to be contacted with an offer to conduct a shopping assignment.

· Be cautious of opportunities that offer large sums of money for simple tasks like cashing a check or wiring money. A typical mystery shopping evaluation will earn about $8 to $20. If an assignment sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

About BBB of the Southland, Inc.

The Better Business Bureau of the Southland, Inc. is a non-profit organization serving Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties in California. The organization was formed in 1951 to promote truth in advertising and business self-regulation. The Bureau assists the public in resolving complaints against businesses and it uses that complaint experience to rate the reliability of businesses. In addition, the Bureau operates an alternate dispute resolution program which administers arbitration proceedings at no cost to consumers. BBB of the Southland also hosts the TrustLink Community, which provides a review forum for consumers and online storefronts for businesses (see http://www.trustlink.org/). Please visit http://www.la.bbb.org/ for more information about the BBB of the Southland.

Source: http://www.la.bbb.org/GIReport.aspx?NewsID=250