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BOURBON – A Bourbon man got a letter recently, offering him a job as a “Secret Shopper” and customer service evaluator for a “Secret Shopping” employment firm. Had the offer been accepted, he would have received $820 for simply participating in his first training assignment.
For most people, the offer sounds kind of fishy, and according to Sheriff Randy Martin, “If it sounds too good to be true, then it most likely is too good to be true.”
The man, who asked not be named in this story, was sent this fairy-tale job offer from a fraudulent company out to prey on those desperate for employment, but he wasn’t lured into their get rich quick scheme.
On July 7, 2007, he received the letter guaranteeing him employment from the “Secret Shopping” firm and a check written in his name for $4,885. The company claimed they specialized in conducting research to assist corporations evaluate the quality of customer service, representing 1,250 firms across North America.
The check issued wasn’t entirely his to keep, and therein lies the fraudulent scam.
In order to retain a portion of the funds, and become a full time employee with the bogus company, the man would have had to pose as a potential customer, sending a $3,885 MoneyGram to a “relative” by the name of Erin Stover. He would then evaluate the MoneyGram representative’s courtesy and dress attire, as well as the overall efficiency of the MoneyGram system.
Victims are swindled when they cash the check and use the majority of the funds for the MoneyGram, as instructed. They are pressured to fulfill their training assignment a week after the check is cashed, leaving the secret shoppers liable for $4,885 once the check bounces.
“There are legitimate secret shopping businesses, but anytime they request money back, that’s a red flag telling you they’re con artists,” Sheriff Martin said.
Upon receiving the letter, the man immediately acknowledged the red flag and contacted the Sheriff’s Department.
“Shred the check and burn it,” were his instructions from Deputy Gibbs of the Crawford County Sheriff’s Department.
The attorney general later investigated the letter but that didn’t go far. Martin explained that it is “nearly impossible” to track criminals outside the United States.
Similar deceptive schemes are occurring all over the country. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office advises the public to be skeptical of any company that advertises jobs for secret shoppers on the radio, in a newspaper’s classified or “help wanted” section, or through unsolicited email because legitimate secret shopper companies don’t generally advertise for jobs in such a manner.
“We just want everyone to be aware of the situation,” the man’s wife commented, “because anyone could get (a letter like ours).”
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