klhofbauer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm thinking.. yup, a troll.
>
> Call me naive maybe, or lacking empathy, but I
> fail to see how this scam still makes people fall
> for it?? Any ideas?
>
> I guess, I am on the computer, and I see the news,
> I read the news, I read forums, I don't know, but
> - how do people keep falling for these scams?
> Don't they read? Are they really this gullible?
>
>
> I'm not trying to be mean here, I'm trying to
> UNDERSTAND why on earth someone would think they
> get some huge check in the mail and have to send
> it to someone and get a little "commission" out of
> it?
>
> Is it because I'm normally a skeptical and cynical
> person? My husband, bless his heart, he ALWAYS
> brings in the mail and shows me these "Free Cruise
> 2 nights 3 days - NO STRINGS" or "YOU'RE APPROVED
> for a NEW CAR" - oh, you know those things that
> come in the mail.
>
> I pull it out of his hands, toss it in the trash,
> and say, "Scam", "Nope, not true", "Scam, Scam".
> He looks at me, "How do you know?" I say,
> "Because I'm a negative person and nothing in life
> is free and you're too trusting."


I think it was PT Barnum that said. "There is a sucker born every minute!"

The day you stand in front of a fireplace and say "give me heat and I will go out and chop some logs later" and get heat before you chop those logs, that is the day you can believe the checks will be good.

You have to chop a few logs before you get some fire.

@Pile High Deep - My associate is on a call this very minute with a shopper who is telling her that she has cashed the checks but still have not sent the money in. She is asking what to do since the checks have cleared and it has been two weeks. Of course they are calling us because my name is on the first email she got from the scammers. My associate is begging the shopper not to send the money into whomever they are supposed to and to go back to their bank to see how to proceed. Yes, people are gullible otherwise these scams would not be profitable and would have fizzled out long ago.

Emma A. Valdivieso
Project Manager
Phone: 888-300-8292 extension 209
Email: emma@mysteryshopperservices.com
Website: www.mysteryshopperservices.com
MY Hours: 8:00am – 5:00pm (PST)

Mailing Address:
Business Evaluation Services
PO Box 507
Arroyo Grande, CA. 93421

LIKE us on FACEBOOK
[www.facebook.com]

what is a troll post? I am clueless! I posted this three times. How do I delete?

heartlandcanuck Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is a troll post, right?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/2011 04:10AM by jersey07032.

what is a troll post. I am clueless. I posted this three times. How do I delete??
heartlandcanuck Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is a troll post, right?

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 11/22/2011 04:10AM by jersey07032.

what is a troll post? I am clueless.heartlandcanuck Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> This is a troll post, right?

I have the same answer for both of your questions. I haven't a clue

A internet troll is someone who is posting just to get people heated up. Generally they say something inflammatory in order to start an argument.

Thanks Shelly. Kind of defeats the purpose of having a supportive Forum. I hope everyone is having a nice, peaceful Thanksgiving and not worrying about mystery shopping. I know I need a day off!

Shelly Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> A internet troll is someone who is posting just to
> get people heated up. Generally they say
> something inflammatory in order to start an
> argument.

dcrector Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I am holding a session on these scams on Monday
> 11-21 at 1pm PST. I will discuss briefly how these
> work, some new ways these low life's have you make
> deposits, show some samples and tell you what you
> can do if you receive one of these checks.
> To join in go to:
> [258443.myvideobroadcaster.com]
> TVOb6cbMqF8B
> You can sign in as a guest by typing in the word
> guest
>
> Doug Rector
> NWLPC


You are one to talk about being scammed! You refused to pay us for four Bru's Room shops because you said too much alcohol was consumed? I don't know where you're from but here in FL, 16 drinks between five people over four hours is hardly considered too much! And to refuse to pay on the basis that you are making assumptions and were not even there shows how incompetent your company is. We are taking this directly to your client. And believe me, we are just getting started.

An open forum is not really the place for this type of direct comment to a company owner or employee.

16 drinks between 5 people works out to 3 per plus an extra for the fifth person. Any guidelines I've read for shops involving alcohol purchases are either one or two per person maximum. Sorry, but that's actually why I don't take one particular friend because I know she would not stay within that limit and I have no intention of losing commission and/or reimbursement because of a guest. In other words, 16 drinks is not necessarily excessive for an evening out relaxing with friends, it is excessive when you are on the job. Come one, how many jobs even let you have one while you're "on the clock." LOL!

Absolutely. Lisa wrote exactly what was forming in my mind as I read the above post. Definitely not appropriate for open forum. In addition, I am surprised that five people would be allowed on a shop. Usually it is limited to no more than 3 or 4, if not just 2. A large group like 5 hanging around for 4 hours on a shop really sounds excessive .... in terms of number of people, number of drinks, and time at the shop.


edited: I can't spell....

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/18/2011 07:34PM by AustinMom.

I had one company that said they were a mystery shopping company sent me a check for a large amount that I received Fed EX but there was no letter or anything telling me what it was for. I took it to the bank and they said the company did not exists so to them it was a scam. They told me to take it to the police. A few days after I received this check a man with this company sent me an email asking when I was going to send him his money. I told him that he would not be getting any money from me because the bank said it was a scam. The man never replied back.

Good job catching that one! There's lots of them out there.

I agree, alcohol consumption guidelines are usually pretty clearly stated and that doors sound excessive. And four hours? That unnecessarily tied up the server's table from other customers. I think when shopping, it's best not to loiter.

I doubt the op is a troll, since there are still enough people being pulled in by various scams for them to continue working. Scammers are counting on people who won't think it's a scam. This would include someone who is new to the industry and doesn't know how it works, someone who has limited access to the internet and hasn't spent enough time on sites or message boards to know what the scams are, or people who are elderly or have a mental issue that would cause them to forget they didn't apply for the job or think that they must have if someone is sending them something. It's not as simple as saying "only stupid people fall for these" or "this must be a troll since everyone knows it's a scam".

klhofbauer Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'm thinking.. yup, a troll.
>
> Call me naive maybe, or lacking empathy, but I
> fail to see how this scam still makes people fall
> for it?? Any ideas?
>
> I guess, I am on the computer, and I see the news,
> I read the news, I read forums, I don't know, but
> - how do people keep falling for these scams?
> Don't they read? Are they really this gullible?
>
>
> I'm not trying to be mean here, I'm trying to
> UNDERSTAND why on earth someone would think they
> get some huge check in the mail and have to send
> it to someone and get a little "commission" out of
> it?
>
> Is it because I'm normally a skeptical and cynical
> person? My husband, bless his heart, he ALWAYS
> brings in the mail and shows me these "Free Cruise
> 2 nights 3 days - NO STRINGS" or "YOU'RE APPROVED
> for a NEW CAR" - oh, you know those things that
> come in the mail.
>
> I pull it out of his hands, toss it in the trash,
> and say, "Scam", "Nope, not true", "Scam, Scam".
> He looks at me, "How do you know?" I say,
> "Because I'm a negative person and nothing in life
> is free and you're too trusting."

There is free stuff out there but because this is not a political forum I decline to elaborate!

Well, I just got one of these scam emails!

As a Customer Service Evaluator/ Mystery Shopper: What you will do is very significant to our clients since your feedback could help them to better their customer service quality.

Job Descriptions:
You will be assigned to visit a shop.
You need to "pretend" to be a normal potential customer who is looking for a particular service or product.
You will then finish an on-line questionnaire to share with us your customer experience.

Requirements:
19 Years old or above
Can speak local language well
Can read and write English
No experience needed
Like Shopping

Job pay:
You will get $200 for each assignment.
Most of the time you will only need to spend 20 minutes on the visit.

If interested, send the information below
1. Full Name :
2. Address :
3. Country, State, City, & ZIP :
4. Occupation :
5. Age :
6. E-Mail :
7. Cell & Home Phone :

There is no charge to become shopper.
We will contact as soon after you sent out your application.

Regards
Dr.Mike Michael
Hiring Manager
www.secretshopper.com/info/CompanyInfo.asp

When I clicked on the link provided, I'm brought to what seems to be a legit company. However, the email was redirected through a .edu website. The return email is actually a .mail account (i.e. free and not a company). There is no Dr. Mike Michael - who the heck would name their kid that anyways? lol.

Putting this up here as information for all. Don't fall for the scammers!

NOOOOOO.....Dont touch it, threw it away. You cash it, or even worse send it out, you will have to pay the bank big bucks at the end.


kourtnee_love Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> So im an idiot.. I got a packet in the mail for a
> mystery shopper company and it had all the info.
> I also recieved 3 checks which i was informed to
> deposit one.
> I searched and heard that its a scam if they want
> you to send money in anyways ex. Western Union.
> Well they havent told me to do that yet.. So all i
> know is that they told me its an advancement.
> Is this normal for a Mystery shopper company
> sending checks??

I received a deal like that about a year ago and immediatly turned it over to the county sheriff. They took down some info and I haven't heard anything more and don't really think that I will.
The old addage applies: If it looks to good to be true, it probaly is