Secret Shopper Scam
Secret Shopper Scam Save Email Print
Posted: 7:33 AM Nov 26, 2008
 Last Updated: 7:33 AM Nov 26, 2008
 Reporter: Heather King
15 comments
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We get a lot of emails from viewers about mystery shopping scams. There are some legitimate mystery shopping companies out there. However, the Better Business Bureau has a direct warning about one that is a scam.

The BBB of Eastern North Carolina says watch out for an organization posing as A & A Merchandising, LTD. The scammers are sending letters and fake checks for $3,921 to people who would agree to serve as a mystery shopper.

The BBB says you're asked to take part in a research program before becoming a permanent part-time employee. You are asked to deposit the check in your personal bank account, then evaluate the performance of a major retail store. You are then asked to wire $3,500 to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the wire service. A & A Merchandising, LTD. has several different post office boxes that people send money to, including one in Wendell, North Carolina. The BBB says this is a scam.

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Posted by: Ernestine Location: Windsor NC on Mar 23, 2009 at 10:31 AM
I received a letter from a letter with a check for $2,980 and was asked to wired $2,460 through Western Union. I think this a scam because I had gotten a letter like that before for $3,940, but that was a scam because it two different banks on the check and this just have one bank name on it. It came from Aurora Market Research in Atlanta, Georgia.
Posted by: Rebecca Location: Jacksonville on Jan 22, 2009 at 04:15 PM
I got something in the mail yesterday who do I go to, to find out if it is a scam?
Posted by: cynthia turner Location: kinston nnc on Jan 18, 2009 at 12:28 PM
yeah i got a check while back for 4000.00 to send to western union but i thik it was a scam
Posted by: PCMHRN Location: Greenville on Dec 8, 2008 at 05:23 AM
It blows my mind to think people really don't think before they act. Common sense is all you need. I'm not trying to be rude, but seriously....THINK PEOPLE! My Grandmother was scammed last year because she actually believed a bogus phone call. I really don't see why people believe these things
Posted by: Corrine Location: Baltimore, MD on Dec 3, 2008 at 12:06 PM
I received a check last night, just a check with no instructions from a Martim Arnold in Georgia for 3600.90. I went to WoodForest Bank and they confiscated the check. I'm glad I didn't do anything with the check, other than try to cash it.
Posted by: NEKISHA Location: Mont. Al on Dec 2, 2008 at 03:32 PM
Money Order scam from David Barnes
Posted by: NEKISHA Robinson Location: Mont. Al on Dec 2, 2008 at 03:30 PM
David Barnes is sending money orders to people from mystery shoppers for the amount of 925.00 a piece with 2 signatures saying Barnes & Nobles on them and their not real. Do not respond to email
Posted by: Winfield Location: Tarboro,NC on Nov 28, 2008 at 12:48 PM
I just got a delivery from UPS containing a check for $3,600.90 which I am to use to send money to 2 locations in England.From this, I am to keep $300 as my pay. The check is a cashier's check drawn on Woodforest National Bank in Texas. The email was from David Barnes and the check was signed by Martin Arnold and two other people whose names I cannot make out.I wanted you to know about this and, to add to the news, the email contained misspelled words along w/ some incorrect grammar. Please let your viewers be on the lookout for a similar letter,etc. Thanks
Posted by: Winfield Location: Tarboro, NC on Nov 28, 2008 at 08:45 AM
I just got an email fromn a compnay asking me to deposit a check in my personal checking account, complete a "survey" of a local Western Union, send money to two different people and keep a certain amount as my payment. They also claim that I will have a check delivered to me by UPS. I really think this is crazy and have no intention of accepting and/or using a check from that place.
Posted by: Faye Location: Plymouth on Nov 27, 2008 at 10:29 PM
About 2 months ago I received a check just like that one on secret shoppers. Receiving I got happy because I could use the money but somrthing didn't feel right so I took it by my bank and the bank manger let me know that it was a scam. I voided the check and tore it up. So you must be very careful because if I had cashed that check it would have lost 3.995.00 that I don't have to lose. Even though I don't know the couple that received the check Iam very glad they didn't cash it because this day in time with the way every thing is going no one can afford to lose that kind of money
Posted by: Mark Location: Greenville on Nov 26, 2008 at 08:35 PM
If you didnt enter the lottery, you didnt win it! If they ask you to wire back or pay fees.....its a scam! Its amazing that some folks think that this money is ligit!!
Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 26, 2008 at 04:51 PM
If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. People, don't be fooled by get rich quick schemes. They just don't happen.
Posted by: ??? Location: NC on Nov 26, 2008 at 03:29 PM
Well you know the old saying. A fool and his money are soon parted.
Posted by: Jimbo Location: NC on Nov 26, 2008 at 11:19 AM
I can't believe anyone would be foolish enough to fall for this but it must work or "A&A" would not be doing it. I guess the old adage "if it sounds too good to be true it probably isn't" applies here.
Posted by: not duped! Location: NC on Nov 26, 2008 at 08:28 AM
I looked into one of these last year and they did send me a check for 3,500.00 and it was a stolen payroll check from an Amish garement business in Pennsyvania. I contacted the business and sent them copies of everything I had right down to the original e-mail I had answered. The FBI got involoved with that one. I was assured that had I deposited the check and made the purchases they wanted me to, which included sending them a money order for $2,000.00 the culprits would have made off the the $$$ and I would have had to repay the bank!! Please be careful.
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