The Better Business Bureau is warning consumers of a scam "mystery shopper" scheme that uses a faked Kansas return address. Consumers throughout the U.S. are receiving letters in the mail from P. Less Sinclair Corporation, which claims to be located at 2403 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas. That address in Fort Scott is actually Peerless Corporation, located there since 1952. They have NO association with P. Less Sinclair Corporation.
Consumers are receiving a sizeable (fake) check, usually between $1300.00 and $1400.00, along with a letter instructing them to deposit the check and go to a website. At the website they are supposed to enter the supplied ID and Password to get their first shopping assignment. As usual consumers are to wire money from Western Union to Spain, then scan the receipt and upload it to the website to complete the assignment. Consumers should know that this is not a valid work at home opportunity.
So just like every fake check scam, eventually the check from "P. Less Sinclair Corporation" will bounce and the consumer is left with the responsibility for paying back the bank.
The e-mail is enticing: "You get PAID and receive FREE meals, products, and services from big name, recognized companies for your opinion because we need Professional Business Evaluators!"
Those who are looking for extra income can be tempted by ads to recruit "mystery shoppers." It is true that businesses nationwide use mystery shopping -- also known as secret shopping, performance evaluations, service monitoring and quality auditing -as a means to monitor service quality.
The Better Business Bureau advises applicants to carefully research any "mystery shopper" business. Understand whether the company is offering to employ you directly. If you are asked instead to purchase training materials or a directory of companies that supposedly offer mystery-shopping opportunities, exercise caution. BBB experience shows these can be unproductive avenues.
Look for reputable firms that:
· Qualify and train mystery shoppers to perform specific evaluations.
· Enjoy a good reputation with their clients and shoppers.
· Do not charge a fee to complete an application.
To steer clear of get-rich-quick offers, the BBB advises mystery shopper applicants to:
· Ignore claims that you will make big profits easily.
· Avoid falling for claims that "guarantee" a position, without training.
· Be cautions of unsolicited e-mails offering "work-from-home."
· Never pay money up-front.
· START WITH TRUST go to www.bbb.org
