Lachance, Inc./ The Shopping Network / Secret Shopping Center
Presented false check

Let me start my report by saying that "lucky me" I did not get ripped off. Only because I used my sense to think "if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is not"! I also did my research before assuming I was getting a great deal for very little from the letter and check received in the mail. However, I am very certain many people may fall for this because they are trustworthy or naive.
This is my experience...

I received a check for $2800.00 from Canada on 10-7-08 compensating me for a "secret shopper" assignment (if I decided to take it of course).in order to validate the check received I had to call the phone number on the letter in Canada (905-598-1067). Once assignment was accepted verbally, the check would be validated for deposit to my bank account and the amount would be used as follows.
$200.00 - to shop at Walmart
$200.00 - to shop at The Gap
$1800.00 - money gram transfer to: 179 College Rd, London, Ontario, Canada M6P4T1
$100.00 - to cover for the money transfer fee
$500.00 - my "secret shopper" assignment compensation fee

This is what I did to research the validity of this letter. First of all, the letter came to my work address on 10-7-08. On 10-8-08 I called the phone # in Canada and spoke to someone that had an Asian accent. The person was very evassive and rudely answered my questions. I also noticed some frustration.
The person ended the conversation by hanging up on me and I called back. I asked why he had hung up on me and he said I was asking too many questions and it sounded to him that I did not want to take the assignment.
I told him I was interested, and was able to retrieve a bit more information from him about the assignment. He ended saying that the check was validated for deposit now.

At this point I got curios about this whole thing and thought this could be a scam.
On 10-9-08 I called the bank institution that was printed on the check (GFA Federal Credit Union in Gardner, MA). I looked up the phone number on the internet. I spoke to a rep there and she informed me that the account I had given her had been closed. She was not able to disclose as of what date, but confirmed that the account is indeed CLOSED. This is when I realized, I needed to report this to someone. A coworker suggested I should file a report with usacomplaints.com

Company: Lachance, Inc./ The Shopping Network / Secret Shopping Center
Country: USA
State: Massachusetts
City: GARDNER
Address: 35 KRAFT ST
Phone: 9055981067

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