Hi, I am new to the forum and am actively trying to validate a letter and check I received in the mail. It is from Frederick J. Duffy Marketing Group and enclosed a check that is made out to me for a fairly large sum. Here are a list of my concerns:

1. Company supposedly located in Cranbrook BC Canada. Can't find it online or in the yellow pages.

2. The phone number listed has an area code that is for Metro Montreal.

3. Check issued from a legit bank in Porter, Texas. Talked to customer service and account is active.

4. Check is from a valid company called Satterfield & Pontikes Construction, Inc. Houston, Texas. I left a message for the accounts payable department but haven't heard back from them.

5. Their form for acceptance allocates space for an 8 digit Representative ID number and the Rep ID # on the letter is 10 digits long.

6. It asks for 2 personal references but not their phone numbers.

7. Their form asks for telephone numbers for 2 business references but only allows for 8.

The way the assignment reads the only immediate item requiring completion is to purchase $60.00 in goods from Wal-Mart. I keep the goods. Yet, the evaluation sheet seems very vague and doesn't require much substantiation. What are your thoughts?

Thanks.

DO NOT DEPOSIT OR TRY TO CASH THE CHECK. IT IS A SCAM!

This is a standard scam that has been plaguing the public for some several years. It used to be 'Canadian lotteries' or 'Nigerian Prince needing to get money out of the country and willing to pay you for help'. It is the old pigeon drop confidence game in internet dress. Turn over all materials to your local law enforcement. Don't allow yourself to get conned or turn over any of your personal information.

No legitimate company sends money in advance to people they don't know in 'hopes' they will cooperate and perform. No legitimate mystery shopping company will give you shops to do that you did not specifically request. They do not generally even tell individuals about their jobs or payments until the individual has registered with them as a shopper and signed an Independent Contractor Agreement.

Don't let your wishful thinking cost you thousands of dollars as you wire transfer funds along per your instructions from the phoney check they sent you. These checks often are forgeries on legitimate accounts and even the banks often don't catch them for weeks until the real owner of the account says "hold on here a minute! This is not an authorized signature or even one of our checks." The bank has to protect the real account owner so you as the depositor have the check bounce back to you.