Scammers targeting people to become mystery shoppers
The BBB of Mid-Missouri is warning of a fraud scheme involving a fictitious company called “Epic Spirit Survey Inc.” The fraudsters in this scheme are mailing the victims checks from M&T Bank and the attached flier that states the following, verbatim:
“I am pleased to inform you that you have been selected to become one of our secret store evaluator assigned to Rite Aid, Walgreens, CVS and Kroger locations in your area This is one of a THREE-MONTH probationary assignment that you are required to complete within 24hrs upon activating your check. This is a paid training assignment that takes about 2hrs to complete. You will be paid $200 for the training. Your assignment is to be carried out and completed at any Rite Aid, CVS and Kroger reload card locations. The objective of the assignment is to evaluate the effectiveness of various reload card systems and to evaluate the level of customer service provided by CVS, Rite Aid, Kroger,
7 Eleven and Walgreens stores. Your job description would be to secretly go into any Rite Aid, CVS and Kroger stores to purchase the Reload Packs/ Prepaid Cards and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of the customer service level of the particular store. You have been provided the sum of$3,740.45 to carry out your assignment. An agent will advise you on how to complete the survey and fill out the evaluation form Your other job description would be to pose as a potential customer at any Reload Pack/ Prepaid Card location by purchasing a Green-Dot Money or Vanilla reload pack of Five Hundred Dollars each from different locations. You are to secretly evaluate the handling process of the transaction and the customer service of the particular location you visited.”
The checks are counterfeit drawn on a true bank and their appropriate routing number but the account is fictitious or fraudulent.
Here are some tips to follow when considering a mystery shopper position:
Never pay money in advance for materials, training, certification, etc. Legitimate companies will not ask you to do this.
Be wary of unsolicited mystery shopper positions. If you receive a check similar to the current scam, please disregard and shred.
Ignore claims of high earnings. These positions won’t make you rich, but will provide a part-time job with supplemental income.
Use caution with online classifieds. Look out for claims to start immediately with little to no experience with guaranteed job assignments, as well as poor grammar and spelling.
Do your homework. Contact the BBB at manager@midmobbb.org or (573) 886-8965 for a free business review.
