Here is the letter I received from "Phoenix Trade, a divition of Phoenix Brands"... And yes, that is how they spelled the word "division." It is extremely similar to the one posted by the lady from Kansas... All misspellings and grammatical errors below are actually the ones on the letter sent to me. Also, I just wanted to say that there is an actual company known as Phoenix Brands that is a legitimate company that sells different brands of dish and laundry soaps. I assume these people chose this name to make potential victims think the company was legit...
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DATE: October 26
POSITION: Customer Service Evaluator
REP ID #: SKD8009SH
ATTN: Scott
This is to inform you that based on a previous survey by our affiliate Consumer survey specialist, you indicated to be interested in an additional income on part-time bases. You are hereby selected to participate in a paid Consumer Research Program in your area of residence as a MYSTERY SHOPPER. As one of the Research Personnel selected under this program, you will be a Consumer Service Evaluator of the selected merchant outlets and service providers. This research program is fully paid and could potentially become a permanent position for a selected few who are able to distinguish themselves in the course of this program. Your starting salary will be $350.00 and will increase to $410.00 per week after 3 months of working with us. This is a self training program designed to equip you with the right tools necessary to carry out your assignments which will be completed in two different locations.
Assignment #1: you will pose as a potential customer, shopping and spending one hundred dollars ($90.00) on any product of your choice from one of these retail outlets; WALMART, K-MART, HOMEDEPOT, SEARS, JC PENNY, AND BEST BUY. You must complete "Section A" of the Customer Service Evaluation Tool (CSET) relating to the products or items purchased, these items are yours to keep. The purpose of this assignment is to identify and compare popular products and prices within the mentioned retail outlets in the Second Quarter of 2009.
Assignment #2: You will be trained in a financial transaction by evaluating various banks and other money transferring agencies like Western Union or Money Gram to a receiving agent as instructed in "Section B" of the (CSET). Western Union or Money Gram agents are required by law to ask for specific forms of identification before transferring funds over $2,000.000. Upon completion of the assignment you must complete "Section B" of the Customer Service Evaluation Tool (CSET) to reflect this task and fax immediately to Fax: 1866-838-8164
Keep in mind, the representatives of these establishments, do not know you are there, to assess their services. Therefore, as a representative of this firm, we ask that you perform your duties with utmost professionalism, discretion and confidentiality. Even though this is only a training exercise for you, it should be considered a job interview. An offer of a permanent position will be based on the time it takes you to complete your assignment and when the Customer Service Evaluation Tool (CSET) is received by fax.
Keep in mind that your task is to evaluate the competency of these outlets and their customer relation; consequently, your views and comments concerning the customer relations of these stories and service providers are very important to our data collection. Please contact any of our assignment coordinators at 1450-369-0049. After completing your assignment. It is important you maintain a fair and unbiased opinion when completing the customer Service Evaluation Tool (CSET). NOTE: Applicants must be 18yrs or above. Completed CSET forms and receipts must be faxed immediately to 1866-838-8164 upon completion of each assignment for verification. Below is a breakdown of how the enclosed check is to be disbursed:
Your assignment and payment are as follows;
probationary training pay - $350.00
funds needed for shopping - $90.00
funds for transaction at western union & moneygram - $3,170.00
total - $3,810.00
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On the back of this page is the "CSET" form that keeps getting described. It is a very generic question set for the two assignments with the word "CONFIDENTIAL" written diagonally in gray across the whole thing. On Section B, regarding the moneygram/western union transaction, the names are Angela Person, Atlanta, GA 30038 and Susan Rasposa, New York, NY 10007. No actual street addresses are given.
Personally, I never even considered this real... The poor grammar, my not talking to a consumer survey specialist, and the serious logistical and legal issues (why would someone hire you without an actual interview, personal information and a background check?) sent me straight to complaint to see if others had been victims of this. It appears the scam is that the check will bounce after you've spent all the money, and you're stuck repaying your bank for spending money you never had.
Hopefully this will help someone else who receives something like this. Remember, when it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
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