The checks' in the mail- DON'T CASH IT!

[tkitty]

Like so many of us I am always looking for ways to save or make a little extra cash.
Today, to my surprise, I received a letter from Global Test Market, Stamford CT. and a check for $3990.00.
The check is a real one from a real credit union.
The letter explained that they wanted me to become a secret shopper for them and my first "job" would be to put this check into my account and go to Western Union with some of that money to evaluate the service I get there, and I would be paid for this-etc.
I know that most of us know that these offers are fraudulent but just in case anyone gets this sort of letter- as real as it looks- it's not.
I read of many online that were duped into doing this because they needed money so bad, and the banks took the checks which of course were no good a few days later.
If it looks too good to be true - it is.

 

[3boymthr]

I had something similar happen to me with an e-bay item. It's one of the reasons ebay now requires items be paid for via paypal now.

As a result of my experience I have a question for you. Did it come USPS or UPS?

If it came USPS call the post office to report it and the police as it's mail fraud - and a felony due to the amount of the check.

Even if it came UPS put it back in the envelope, then call them and tell them you are rejecting the package. They will come and pick up the check and return it to them postage due. Also, they will put them on the list of companies to watch. My check came UPS and they have a whole list of these fraudulent companies that they are tracking and working with AGs across the country to try and shut them down.

 

[walkdmc]

Thanks for sharing your experience and hopefully it'll help someone. I'm always surprised by the tricks people fall for. I know some thieves are so cunning it's easy to fall prey but most of these scams sound like bad news from the get-go and this one is no exception. No one anywhere will just send you $4,000 to "test" Western Union. I guess the secret shopper company you signed with is questionable, at best. (I don't blame you for signing up but it's disheartening to know the thieves will use any front. I was in Walmart last week and a woman was showing a manager an online posting for a WM job that was obviously a fake and meant to deceive someone looking for a job).

 

[tkitty]

It was USPS- I think I'll check their web site and see if they have a fraud section- great idea.

We once had a simillar thing happen with Craigs list- the person had a big cashiers check and wanted us to give them "change" DH told them to go ahead and send the check- took it to the bank it was drawn on and they wanted tp cash it. We told them we were sure it was fraudulent and talked to the bank manager who put us in touch with FBI fraud by phone. They had us give them all the info.
I looked up FBI but it all looked like E-fraud related- so the USPS sounds like the way to go.
Too bad there are so many people out there that would snatch this up and end up in trouble.

I had something similar happen to me with an e-bay item. It's one of the reasons ebay now requires items be paid for via paypal now.

As a result of my experience I have a question for you. Did it come USPS or UPS?

If it came USPS call the post office to report it and the police as it's mail fraud - and a felony due to the amount of the check.

Even if it came UPS put it back in the envelope, then call them and tell them you are rejecting the package. They will come and pick up the check and return it to them postage due. Also, they will put them on the list of companies to watch. My check came UPS and they have a whole list of these fraudulent companies that they are tracking and working with AGs across the country to try and shut them down.

 

[tkitty]

I had never heard of this company and never signed up for any secret shopper jobs but got this letter anyways. So it really was that much more strange.
I do alot of online surveys and I guess someone got my address.

I did just go onto USPS and filled out the form for their fraud division. I've read comments about this company online and they've been doing this for a long time. Many are saying they've contacted FBI, etc. but I guess they just keep getting away with it.

 

[NYCDiane]

I would dare to say that the FBI rarely "investigates" things like this. I had a friend, similar thing happened (this was the old Nigerian scam). She believed them at first until I explained to her this scam was older than the hills. She contacted the FBI but all they told her was to ignore any mail or email from them and there's nothing the FBI can do.