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Western Union Secret Shopper Scam victims - Must Read!
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Author:  yamasayw [ Fri Jul 01, 2011 12:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Western Union Secret Shopper Scam victims - Must Read!

This is a question for Shawn. Aren't there enough victims in your forum to put together this kind of class action? I am willing to be part of it, although I was not victimized this time, I was out $600 dollar once when I deposited a money order as part of rent paid. That was the time when someone from the company that issued the money order ran away to South America and took all the money with him. I think he was caught, but I never got my money back.
I could have made the tenant responsible, but they always paid on time and was just scraping by, so I just took the lost. But should I have been the one to take the lost or the bank that cleared it?
Anyway Shawn, maybe we can put this out there and see what people think.

Author:  admin [ Fri Jul 01, 2011 1:46 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Western Union Secret Shopper Scam victims - Must Read!

yamasayw wrote:
This is a question for Shawn. Aren't there enough victims in your forum to put together this kind of class action? I am willing to be part of it, although I was not victimized this time, I was out $600 dollar once when I deposited a money order as part of rent paid. That was the time when someone from the company that issued the money order ran away to South America and took all the money with him. I think he was caught, but I never got my money back.
I could have made the tenant responsible, but they always paid on time and was just scraping by, so I just took the lost. But should I have been the one to take the lost or the bank that cleared it?
Anyway Shawn, maybe we can put this out there and see what people think.


We have tried the class action thing in the past. I even contacted The Masry Vititoe law firm . . . yes, the one from the movie Erin Brockovich . . . it was not that there were not enough victims, it was that there is not a lawyer that wanted to take on this case.

The other "problem" is that so many people come here, register, post the information about their scam or get confirmation that a situation is a scam, and then never come back. We might have a large amount of people registered, but how many of them actually come here on a regular basis and "check in" to find out what is going on or if there is something new that they could be a part of . . . class action, petition (see link in my signature), media event (I am ALWAYS looking for people willing to speak to the media, or other things (link here to survey that we are trying to get people to take about scams viewtopic.php?t=6529)

We even have a Facebook page and Twitter account that people can follow for big updates. It is a matter of keeping the interest of those people and having them WANT to join in on making a difference.

Author:  nat1234 [ Fri Jul 08, 2011 2:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Western Union Secret Shopper Scam victims - Must Read!

I first tried to sign up for a focus group through craigslist and then I got a reply back from the email of robinsonjames499@aol.com claiming to be a research coordinator with a fake telephone number of course indicated that I did not qualify for the first focus group but that I qualifyed for a different one involoving a western union mystery shopper. And that they would express mail me a package which would include my instructions and first payment or whatever. Then I replyed by stupidly before researching anything because they didnt say much in the 1st email. Then the 2nd email said that I wuld be recieving the package in 2days and to verify my address once more, so I did and then I got another email the next day saying that the package has been sent out and I will receive it 2morrow. then it goes on to include the directions saying I am to cash the check at my bank and take out$200 and that the remaining balance should be $1,790 and that I should wire transfer the remaining balance to this address and person
RECEIVER: JUDITH COMBS
ADDRESS: 11 project 8 road 10.
CITY: QUEZON CITY
STATE: MANILA
COUNTRY: PHILIPPINES

And im thinking wow this deff doesnt sound right because who in there right mind would trust a stranger with nearly $2,000 so I then do some research and find that this scam has been going on for quite sometime. They claimed that the survey or whatever has been sponsered by "Western Union America Inc and Focus Group". And they also included a fake tracking number which I looked up and the package that the number belonged to had already been delievered to someone in San Deigo,CA, and I live in Chicago, IL. So please people if it sounds to good to be true, it probally is. Do your research first. Im just glad that I found out in time before I got screwed out on alot of money.

Author:  ennariam [ Thu Jul 21, 2011 4:06 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Western Union Secret Shopper Scam victims - Must Read!

My friend just had this happen to her. She has lost the papers for the Western Union but we still have the email. Can someone tell me how she can get this taken of? Thank you

Author:  yamasayw [ Mon Jul 25, 2011 7:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Western Union Secret Shopper Scam victims - Must Read!

Did she get and deposit the checks into her account?

Author:  Sully's Girl [ Fri Jul 29, 2011 3:39 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Western Union Secret Shopper Scam victims - Must Read!

I recently had an experience with this scam too. Except when I received the check, I went to the Scammer's bank (JP morgan Chase bank) to cash it, and told them exactly what was happening. They went ahead and checked on the check for me and discovered it was fraudulent. I will copy the emails I received in hope this helps someone.

"Frank Carlucci" <admin@pineo.org>
Good Morning,
I would like to inform you of a focus group which will be holding next week that pays participants $300. More information on the study is provided below.

We will be conducting surveys on Western Union outlets to help measure and
improve their services. The survey will require that you visit a an outlet
in your neighborhood to patronize the services they provide as a customer,
you will give us feedback on your experience by filling out a survey
questionnaire.

The survey will take a maximum of 2hrs to complete and you will be paid $300 for every evaluation completed, If you are interested in participating in this study, please send us a reply with your information in the following order ASAP to take your spot.

Full Name
Mailing Address (No p.o. Box)
Phone Number
Email address
Current occupation
Age

We'll get back to you after receiving this information to confirm your
participation in the survey. Surveys fill up fast and participation is on
a first come first serve basis. Thank you.

Yours faithfully,
Frank Carlucci
Market Research Analyst
Dorme Marketing inc.

Dear Holly Sullivan,
The postal service just confirmed delivery of the survey packet sent to you.The packet contained
a letter from us and a check for the Western union evaluation.

Follow the instructions below to complete the survey .

Deduct your pay of $300 after cashing/depositing the official check at your bank
Deduct another $180 for transfer fees and any other expenses i.e gas & transport.

Locate the nearest Western Union agent location within your neighborhood (RITE AID,CONTINENTAL
CURRENCY,7 ELEVEN,SAFEWAY,TRAVELEX CURRENCY,MONEY MART,QFC)and make a transfer
of what's left of the funds after deduction of your pay and other fees to the information below,you are to
appear as a potential customer making a Western Union transfer to a relative.

Shanell Britto
172 32 133 AVE
JAMAICA, NY 11434

Be sure to observe the following during the transfer : how long it took you to get services,Intelligence of the
attendant and Customer service professionalism during the transfer process and under no circumstances
should the Western Union Agents know this evaluation is being carried out on them.

Email me as soon as you complete the transfer with the following information;
MTCN #,
AMOUNT SENT,
NAME & ADDRESS OF SENDER,
WESTERN UNION LOCATION SURVEYED.

We shall send you the survey questionnaire after confirming carrying out the evaluation. Note that participation
in future studies depends on how fast and how well you carry out this evaluation.

Thank you and get back to me as soon as the evaluation is completed today.

Yours faithfully,
Frank Carlucci
Market Research Analyst
Dorme Marketing inc.

Author:  cece214 [ Thu Aug 04, 2011 9:19 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Western Union Secret Shopper Scam victims - Must Read!

I received the same emails saying I had been selected as a mystery shopper and when they sent another email explaining the assignment, I was concerned, so I emailed back saying I was concerned that this was legitimate and asked for the companies name. Within seconds, the email he was using was disabled.

Author:  Sarabi [ Fri Aug 05, 2011 8:01 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Western Union Secret Shopper Scam victims - Must Read!

[ This Allan guy contacted me about being a secret shopper, he change his email a few times. Then stopped contacting me, later another man Name Richard contacted me about being a secret shopper. He had all my information and had the same typing skills and speech patterns so right away I thought something was weird. Richard has sent me a check which I'll be receiving tomorrow. I know it's not legit, I won't be cashing it. I will be filing a police report.... but these are the email's I've received from both parties ]






Hello ,
You have been Accepted as one of our Conducting Agent. You
will be evaluating Wal-Mart Stores and Western Union Services in your
neighborhood, kindly check out for one Wal-Mart store and one Western
Union agent outlet you will like to evaluate , make sure the store and
the outlet you will chose are close to your area as much as possible ,
you will have to send the name and address of the two location to us,
Please note that you are to act Cool, Calm and Confident through out
the period which you will be carrying out your survey at the store, in
order not to arouse any suspicion. you will be shopping at Wal-Mart
stores and also make a transaction at the Western Union , you will
write a report about the customer services , you will send your report
back to us via Email, you will have to use the following pointers to
prepare your report :

1) How long it took you to get services.
2)Ambiance/Outlook of the Shop/Outlet
3) Smartness of the attendant
4)Customer service professionalism
5)Reaction of personnel under pressure
6)Information that you think would be helpful
7)Your comments and impre ssions.

Payments will be mailed out to you, which you will expend in carrying
out all that will be required of you including your compensation and
Transportation fee. All Other Instructions will be sent out to you as
soon as Evaluation commences.

Please reply this Email and give us the name and address of the
Wal-mart and Western Union location you will be evaluating so that we
can mail out the payment as soon as possible.

Yours Sincerely
Allan

Attn Agent,

This is just a notification that you will be receiving a UPS or FedEx
tracking number on Thursday/Friday for your first assignment and also
including the instruction for the assignment.
Kindly confirm back and say Yes if you receive this email today.
Regards
HR Manager,
Allan

Good day,


How are you doing today.I believe you received my previous message sent. Furthermore, I just want to inform you that i have trouble with my previous email and that is why am contacting you with my alternate email and you can reach me and you should reply to this email.
However,you will be receiving a UPS tracking number on Friday for your first assignment and also including the instruction for the assignment.

Kindly confirm back and say Yes if you receive this email today.
Regards
HR Manager,
Allan

Hello Sarah,

How are you doing? Thanks so much for the Details and all your details has been saved for payroll.
Due to proper plans and also some right things needed to be done for the job to be started properly with the company.

Also you should check on your cell phone often for a Code to be sent to you via WWW.CRAIGLIST.ORG an Employment Code from the site to make you rest assured you on the safe path. Please confirm if this is your correct cell Phone number 519-281-4153 . When is it a good time to call you and talk on the phone ?

As soon as you get this code through SMS/TEXT,you are to email to me.
I will also want to inform you that delivery of some item you might need for this job will be deliver to your door step soon.
As soon as its has been mailed out i will alert you to follow proper Instructions.
I hope you are still much interested because your payroll as been planned into the company slot.
And Your Online staff ID CID234. Keep this for any further Enquirers.
Hope to read from you as soon as you are ready to receive the Employment code for verification .

Regards,
Richard Bakers

Hello Sarah ,
This is to inform you that your information has just been registered in our database as stated previously , Payment to carry out your First Evaluation Assignment has been processed . Here is the tracking number Via FedEx.com 876332462720

THE SECRET SHOPPING ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS :
The Payment is from our finance company and was issued to cover the project bills for your wages and Assignment:-
You should first take it to your bank and cash immediately, Deduct your first wages which is $250 then the remaining balance should be used for the assignment below.

We are shopping in any Western union location this time, we always instruct our secret shopper to shop according to the report made by different customers from various stores and Western union has been the talk of the town from almost all of their customers that send
money often, they were said to be slow and having bad customer relation - so Your first assignment is to proceed to any Western union
outlet near your location to find out about their Trading and operation system. As a secret shopper , You should pretend as if you are a client and want to send money and memorize all you see at the outlet. We want you to report back to us on the following information today:

1)Full name and address of the Western union location that you visited.
2)Procedure of attendance with them( customer relation):
3)How many attendant are in the outlet :
4)Security system {If any} :
5)The Duration it took for them in attending to one client and processing transfer :
As a secret shopper your job is to observe ,memorize and Evaluate everything going on in the outlet. Also for the short period of minutes that it will take you to observe ,memorize and Evaluate 1,2,3,4,5 above, you can't just walk in and out of the outlet without sending Money or else you would be suspected,that is why we send you the funds to make a transfer during the process so that everything will go fine without any interference during your visit to the Western union outlet.We authorize you to send the remaining balance after deducting your $250 to the below information provided which is for assistant to an orphanage home,
Please Make Western union transfer to :

NAME: Christopher Reid
City: Spout Spring
ZIP CODE:24593
State : VA


Be aware that Western union is going to charge you a token to get this money sent,you should deduct the Western union charges from the balance you have left with you and not from your own $250. Make sure you don't go with a note,Only write down the name and
address above along with you so that you will not make mistakes when sending the money,because if they see you writing anything down , they will definitely suspect you are a secret shopper, Just memorize all
you see and report back to us.
Your next assignment will commence Immediately after you have reported back to us and your next payment will be included also.
Below are the details of what you should email back to us immediately you are done with the assignment:
1)Full name and address of the Western union location that you visited.
2)Procedure of attendance with them:
3)How many attendant are in the outlet :
4)Security system {If any} :
5)The Duration it took for them in attending to one client and processing transfer :
YOU SHOULD ALSO GET BACK TO US WITH THE FOLLOWING DETAILS ABOUT THE MONEY YOU HAVE SENT VIA THE Western union OUTLET:
1) Senders Name and Address
2) 10 Digit Money transfer control Number
3) The amount transferred after deducting Western union charges.
P:S: You should use your full name and address when sending the money. You should please make sure you Execute all the Assignment today immediately you receive the package and get back at us with a details as requested above.
Happy Shopping.

Hello Sarah ,
Thank you for your immediate response the payment is on Vehicle for deliver and would be delivered to your address shortly .
Kindly get back to me with the evaluation report and transfer details you would be earning an extra $50 for completing the assignment today .
Regards ,
Richard Bakers .


Hello Sarah ,
Below are a list of western union outlet close to you , you are expected to pick one out of the listed outlets and proceed to complete the evaluation assignment .


1.MONEY MART #0602
609 Dundas St E
London, N5W 2Z1



2.HASTY MARKET #197
338 Dundas St
London, N6B 1V7


3.ST STANISLAUS CU
383 Horton St
London, N6B 1L6

4.GEO SMOKE SHOP
176 Dundas St
London, N6A 1G7

5.H & R BLOCK #54128
355 Wellington Rd
Citi Plz Kiosk
London, N6A 3N7


Regards ,
Richard Bakers .


[ I sent him an email stating I will deposit his check, and once it's approve I will then proceed with his instructions, but after finding all this I don't believe he'll be replying to my email. ]

Author:  Sarabi [ Fri Aug 05, 2011 8:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Western Union Secret Shopper Scam victims - Must Read!

Also these are their emails..

sspffemployers.bakers@gmail.com
allansmith341@hotmail.com
allansmith34@gmail.com

Author:  htgamr [ Mon Aug 15, 2011 5:38 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Western Union Secret Shopper Scam victims - Must Read!

I wasn't a victim of this scam, I just received the email, which I have posted on here....

We are accepting applications from individuals to become Evaluators.
Your task would be to carry out survey on western union and
debrief me on the evaluation carried out.
It requires no payment from you instead you will be paid for carrying out the survey
The assignment will pay you $400/ evaluation and an avg. of 2 evaluations a
week.
Show ONLY your continued interest by sending me
the following Full name(s) :
Full Physical Address : City, State and Zip :
Contact Numbers(CELL** & Home) :
Email addresses(If you use more than 1) : Age :
Current Occupation : Last Position Held
Mark Gates
404-910-5030

It also said to respond to the email at this address: Reply to humresources05@globomail.com

I'm also going to contact Western Union..they should be contacted as well...

Author:  valenciarose [ Sat Aug 27, 2011 8:36 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Western Union Secret Shopper Scam victims - Must Read!

I noticed an announcement for a "mystery shopper" position on a website that I considered quite reputable. When I inquired I was asked for my full name, mailing address, phone number, age, and job title. I wasn't given much information about the company and I stupidly gave out the information requested - I should have just researched the thing first, but the initial descriptions sounded legitimate. I then received an email about the "assignment" involving Western Union and Wal-Mart (and a restaurant). I skimmed it but had better things to do so didn't read the whole thing. Then I receive another message about a check being FedExed to me! I was like, wait a minute, though I signed up to be a mystery shopper, I never signed up for THIS! I informed the person who emailed me (Harold Lee- he has since changed his contact name to Aaron Grant) that I would not be taking on the assignment, there is not a Wal-Mart in my area and that I would be sending the checks back.

He responded:
Hello,
You could have declined the assignment immediately it was given to you rather than silence which could also mean acceptance. I am aware that the closes Wal-Mart is in [sic] which is outside of the location we are covering. To this effect you are no longer required to continue with the wal-mart assignment but you need to complete the Western Union assignment ASAP.
You can not decline this offer at this time as this will jeopardize as schedule which may call for strict measures being taking.


"Strict measures"? What on earth? This was a bit troubling to me, especially since they obviously have my address. After reading some of the posts here, I'm guessing that these scammers will just leave me alone and not take "strict measures" against me.

Meanwhile, when I got home I received a FedEx doortag telling me where I could pick up the delivery. :( I never wanted this!

As soon as I heard "Western Union" red flags went up and I highly disagree that silence is the equivalent of acceptance! Just not sure what the best course of action is- do I just tell FedEx I'm not accepting the package?

Even though I didn't accept or cash any checks or give out even more personal information, I feel so stupid. And ashamed. And after the "strictest measure" comment, a little scared. And then stupid and ashamed for feeling a little scared. I'm guessing he's not really even in my area and from the errors in his emails it doesn't sound like English is his first language, but the whole thing was just a little disturbing to me. Thanks for reading

Author:  admin [ Sun Aug 28, 2011 3:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Western Union Secret Shopper Scam victims - Must Read!

valenciarose . . . I would not be worried . . . they were just saying those things to scare you into "doing the assignment"

If the checks were sent to you, just shred them.

Author:  Janez [ Sun Aug 28, 2011 4:53 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Western Union Secret Shopper Scam victims - Must Read!

Quote:
Meanwhile, when I got home I received a FedEx doortag telling me where I could pick up the delivery. I never wanted this!


If you have not picked up the package then decline it. Tell FedEx to return it to sender. :mrgreen:

Author:  Hawaii4ever [ Wed Sep 14, 2011 2:21 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Western Union Secret Shopper Scam victims - Must Read!

I just received a letter postmarked from Canada. Inside was a form to fill out on a mystery shop to Western Union along with a letter and check in the amount of 3800. The letter was from a company in New York. I did some research on the telephone number and fax that was listed under the company heading. It turned out to be a cell phone number. I knew this to be a scam. What should I do with all this? Should I contact my local police department or mail it to another agency?

Author:  admin [ Wed Sep 14, 2011 4:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Western Union Secret Shopper Scam victims - Must Read!

I would shred the checks/money orders and do not respond to any calls or emails from the scammers.

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