I received a check in the mail from Mystery Shopping Providers in NY, stating I had submitted an interest in becoming a mystery shopper. I had done that in the past so thought, OKAY, so far so good. Of course the check for $3750 was what I saw first then read the letter. If I accepted the offer, I would be requested to complete a paid training assignment that must be completed in one week of my acceptance. I would be paid $300 for my training. Then my salary would increase to $400 a week for the first three months, then $500 per week after six months of working for them.
This "hands on self training" required me to first spend $50 at either Home Depot, JcPenny, Walmart or KMart. There was also another page to be filled out about the shopping experience. The letter states that I get to keep the merchandise I buy as my "bonus"
The second job was to train me in "financial transactions" and have me send a Money Gram payment to their training agents. The letter said it was to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of this payment system called Money Gram. I ws to call them with the Money Gram reference number immediately after completion. Also have to fax the shopping receipts for clarification purposes. The offer expires October 28.
The breakdown of the funds was this:
1. Probation training pay $300
2. Required fun to be transferred $3250
3. Service charges $150
4. Funds needed for shopping $50
total funds: $3750
Address on the letter:
Mystery Shopping Providers
140-50 Delaware Avenue
Sidney, NY 13638-1895
Tel: 1-888-350-0398
Fax: 1-888-338-1267
The address on the envelope:
1045 Lakeshore Drive
North Bay, ON P1A 2H3
CANADA!!!
Company information on the check:
Savoya
1845 Woodall Rodgers, Suite 1725
Dallas, TX 75201
Memo on check: 3rd Qtr Estimated Tax Distribution
Check drawn on Texas Capital Bank
Being the suspicious person I am, and knowing that nothing is this easy, I started checking into all the above information. First the zip code for Sidney, NY is 13838, not 13638. The zip code on the letter is for Felts Hills, NY. I could not locate an address for 140-50 Delaware Ave.in Sidney, NY.
The address appears to be legit in Canada, but not sure who or what company is attached.
The company Savoya is a real company in Dallas. The address is correct with their information. They are a global chauffeur service. I called their accounting department, and I was told it was a fake check. I was asked for the check number and the date. I did email a copy of the check to them as the woman, named Melissa, stated they have an investigation going on with their local police and they were aware of this situation.
I googled the phone number first thing, but that number did not result in any findings. I didn't want someone else, who is not as skeptical, to fall for such a scam and be out $3750. I hope I have saved someone from getting scammed.
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