Back in November I received a check with a letter inviting me to become a secret shopper. The letter was quite impressive. It gave me instructions on what to do. The check was in the amount of $2820.00 from Shawmut Bank, Boston MA. I called the telephone number that was listed and received my instructions. I deposited the check and called back, they asked me if I had any problems and told them no. They gave me further instructions and the info for the "MONEYGRAM" I was suppose to send. They said I had to do the moneygram first. I checked with my bank to see if the funds had cleared and was told that the check was in process.
I went to Walmart because they had a "MoneyGram" office and started the transfer process. The fee to transfer was much more than what was quoted on the letter, the clerk started to ask me some questions and I started to feel uncomfortable so I stopped the transfer. It is a good thing that I did because the next day I checked my account and the funds were withdrawn from my account as the check turned out to be fraudulent. Shawmut Bank went out of business back in the 80's. My bank was very sympathetic and refunded back to me the fees.
These people certainly have a nerve, I opened up my mail today and I received another letter and check from these people. This time the check, Cashier Check, was for $4998.00 from Black Mountain Community Bank, Tempe AZ. The breakdown is: 350.00 to me Training and Salary;
50.00 Walmart Purchase; 40.00 Gap Purchase; Western Union 1549.00,99.00 service fee; Moneygram 2853.00,57.00 service fee. They must think I'm really stupid to send me this and fall for it a second time.
This time I investigated the address and telephone number on the internet, 705 - 2808 W. 41st St, Sioux Falls SD 57105 does not exist and telephone number 289-259-5739 is an unlisted wireless telephone out of Oakville, Ont - Canada.
I have the letter with the check and would like to know who to forward it to because I don't think that Black Mountain Community Bank is aware that their checks and the name of their bank are being used in this scam.
There are many legitiment Mystery Shopping Companies out there I have been told and none of them use checks, they provide their shoppers with Gift Cards to complete their assignments.
They almost got me once, but not a second time. If anyone gets these letters and bogus checks, please investigate before calling or deposting.
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