If you received a check in the mail recently for $2,485.55, toss it. It's a scam, according to the Better Business Bureau (BBB). In fact, they've had complaints from dozens of people across New York and several other states saying they got it.
Along with the check, made out to their name, came a letter explaining they were "identified" to participate in mystery shopping for a company called Ivoclar Vivadent Marketing Research. The company, which also falsely claimed to be affiliated with the BBB, is now under investigation.
The BBB is warning consumers about the alleged scam, saying it could end up costing you big money in instead.
"Scammers are preying on the unemployed and counting on desperate situations that many people are facing," said David Polino, Better Business Bureau. "Getting a check in the mail made out in your name can be enticing, but don't fall for cashing it."
According to the BBB, here's what happens: Consumers are often duped because the check is in their name, the banking institution listed on the check is real, the account number and routing number on the check are also real. Once they deposit the check everything goes smoothly at first, but a few weeks later, a serious problem arises when the "winner" is notified the check is counterfeit. The victim is then told they must repay the bank the thousands of dollars they withdrew against a bad check.
Ivoclar Vivadent Market Research claims to be located at 175 Paineview Drive, Amherst, NY, but an investigation by the BBB finds there's no street by that name in the Amherst area and the phone number listed is for a 403 area code in Alberta, Calgary Canada. The information provided by Ivoclar Vivadent Market Research is similar to a legitimate dental supply company, Ivoclar Vivadent of Amherst, NY.
According to the BBB, mystery shoppers are used by market research firms, training companies, merchandisers, temporary agencies and other businesses, but these opportunities are not common and often have very specific job requirements.
BBB officials want you to know whether you're offered money to sell something or being paid to do work from home, if you're asked to cash a check and then wire money back, it's a red flag that it's a scam.
To avoid mystery shopper traps and other checks-in-the mail offers, the BBB offers the following tips:
- Disregard any offer when someone gives you money and asks you to wire money back.
- Ignore claims of making big profits easily. Mystery shopping will not make you rich; at best it provides part-time income.
- Never pay money up-front. A legitimate mystery shopping service will not charge you money for materials, training or recruiting.
- Avoid falling for claims that "guarantee" a position, without training.
- Be cautions of unsolicited e-mails offering "work-from-home."
- Check the business out with the BBB, local consumer protection agency, and state attorney general offices.
- Individuals looking for work as a mystery shopper can visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) website for information on how to register to be a mystery shopper with a MSPA-member company, a database of available jobs, and additional information on the industry in general.
If you think you've been a victim of a mystery shopping scam, click here to file a complaint and report your dealings to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Call Centre at (888) 495-8501 as well as the US Federal Trade Commission at (877) 382-4357.
