On FEB 27, I was looking through backpage.com for some extra work. I came across this ad:
Sales / marketing undercover shoppers get paid to shop. Retail/dining...
Posted: February 24, 03:35 PM
Reply: click here
SALES / MARKETING Undercover Shoppers Get paid to shop. Retail/Dining establishments need undercover clients to judge quality / customer service. Earn up to $150 a day. Call (800) 722-6351
Location: Orange County
I called the number and was asked a series of questions pertaining to my desire to work with them and make extra money being a secret shopper. After that, the lady on the phone (who identified herself as Arin Fisk, Operator 4080) asked if I would like to continue with the process, and be charged a $1.95 processing fee. I said yes, even though I thought this was a bit odd. After I gave her my credit card number, she then went into a long explanation of many things, including a "monthly service charge" and a "free vacation" that I would be entitled to. Obviously at this point I knew it was a scam.
I told her I wanted NOTHING to do with their company and to NOT charge me anything, as I wished to cancel any and all involvement with them. She did her best to give me her scripted lines about "don't you want to be a secret shopper?" etc. I told her know, and she hung up on me. I called the number she gave me as their "customer service number" and was surprised when someone actually picked up. I told them about the situation and they looked me up by my phone number, which is how they keep track of you in their system I guess, and she told me what operator I had spoken to.
I asked the "operator" if she could verify with me on the phone that I did NOT buy anything and that my credit card would NOT be charged - as per my adamant request on the original phone call. She said that my card was not charged and would not be charged. I had a BAD feeling about this, so I called my bank, which happens to be Citi (I love their dedication to customer service) and they told me that this company had indeed charged me the 1.95 already. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT?! Well, I reported them as fraudulent and then came on this site to report them. BE CAREFUL!!! They are selling snake oil for sure! How do these people sleep at night?
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