I received a letter in the mail on Jan. 23 stating that I have been selected to participate in a paid consumer research program in my local area. It goes on to explain a little about the assignment I would be doing as a mystery shopper and a check for $3990.00 was included.
At first and even second glance, everything looks good. I even called the phone number and talked to a live person who told me the next step was to deposit the check and when it clears to call them back.
I had the deposit slip all made out and I even recorded the deposit amount in my check book. BUT, then my suspicious instincts took over. I set to checking and researching and Holy Crap - I can't believe the stuff I uncovered about this scam!
1. The check has a different state, but same street and zip as the letter - I googled the zip and it belongs to NE (same as check) - NOT NC like the letter says.
2. The printed name at the bottom of the letter is RITA ANSWER and the signature is Duane or Diane or something totally different.
3. There are at least 10 improper English words or phrases throughout the letter.
I googled 3D Auto Transport and 3D Research Corp and found very similar reports here on consumer complaints. Then I read reports from the FDIC and FTC. One of the reports with tips about avoiding scams said to never use Moneygram or Western Union to send money unless you know the receiver very well. Well, part of the assignmet is to send money thru one of these places and it would be to someone that I don't even know (the scammer).
4. I called the phone number after hours and there was a message in French, so I googled the area code and lo and behold, I was calling Canada. I don't know anyone in Canada.
5. Then I googled the route and transit number on the check. It is an existing route and transit, but it led me to a report of reported fraudulent checks from various banks. This is what that report says:
The counterfeit items display the routing number 104913912, which is assigned to Pinnacle Bank. The items are dissimilar to authentic cashier's checks and display the following security feature statement centered within the top border: "FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLOR BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER." The statements "SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED. DETAILS ON BACK" are centered along the bottom border with a padlock icon printed on each side. The bank's logo, name, address, incorrect post office box ("P. O Box 170"), city, state and zip code appear in the top center. The counterfeit items are blue and have a "VOID" background when copied.
Authentic cashier's checks display the following security feature statements below the top border: "THIS DOCUMENT HAS SAFETY PAPER DESIGN, HIGH RESOLUTION BORDERS, WATER MARK, MICRO PRINT SIG LINE, AND THERMOCHROMIC ICON ON BACK. LOOK FOR THESE FEATURES." The statement "TWO SIGNATURES REQUIRED OVER $1000.00" is below the printed dollar amount line and "AN AUTHORIZED SIGNATURE" appears above each signature line. A security icon and statement are printed above the word "DOLLARS" on the right side. The checks have ornate borders and are yellow.
So, I copied the check and right before my eyes, the word VOID showed up all over the check. You can also see the dots that form the word VOID with a magnifying glass.
Let's get this gigantic scam shut down before someone really gets hurt! Do tons of research before getting into anything that looks too good to be true!
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