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4/14/2010

Lexington, KY - Job scams are still flooding the area, tempting out-of-work consumers with their pitches…but one remains very persistent we want to warn you about.

Who wouldn't love the chance to get paid to shop? Con artists are counting on the fact that you would like to do that to try to take your money. Consumers are calling your Better Business Bureau about so-called opportunities to be a "mystery shopper"….but it is NOT what it seems.

Some call it a 'customer service evaluator', like in a recent scam letter sent to your BBB by a consumer. The company calls itself Consumer Product Research Group out of New York. It tells the consumer she's been chosen to take part in a "self-training" assignment to become a part-time evaluator.

A real-looking check is enclosed for nearly $3-thousand dollars. The consumer is to deposit this check, take most of the cash and wire it to someone in England in order to evaluate the service she receives from Western Union. You keep the rest for your pay.

This whole thing is a big scam. The companies' whose logos are used on the letter have nothing to do with this.

What happens in this scam is, you cash the check, wire the money out of the country, and later your bank will contact you to tell you the check is fake and bounced…leaving you to pay back the bank. Oh, and the crooks? They are really in Canada, based on the phone number given in the letter. If you get this offer in the mail, don't fall for it!

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Be a "Don’t Fall for It!" informant! If you have something to share you believe may be a fraudulent offer or scam, please let the BBB know! Call us at (859) 259-1008 or toll-free, 1-800-866-6668, or email us at info@lexbbb.com.