After signing up online for what appeared to be a good mystery shopper site that required no money to sign up, received a letter via UPS including a check for the amount of 3800.00. Letter states acceptance as a mystery shopper and says to deposit the check and once it is "cleared" my account, to spend 350.00 at one of several stores and then Western Union 3200.00 back to them to check the service of WU. Called the number and spoke w/the representative who said to wait 10 days after depositing the check to make sure it clears before I wire back any money. She repeated several times that they were legit and wanted me to make sure the check cleared first.
However, the letter states that the job must be done within 7 days. After hearing similar scams, I searched the internet and found nothing alarming on either company, but note that the phone number area code is for Ontario while address shows NY. Also, Lift Tech is an elevator repair company and it was unusual for their name to be involved. With these red flags, I looked for a number for the bank that was listed on the check and called them to verify the check. Upon hearing the name of the company on the check, she immediately said it was fraud.
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