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Follow on Google News | BBB Warns of Mystery Shopping Scammers Soliciting in Detroit AreaGalaxy Elite Sending Fraudulent Job Offers & Checks to Consumers
By: Better Business Bureau Unfortunately, it can take days or even more than a week for a bank to become aware a cashed check was fake. Meanwhile, the victim, believing they have the money in the account, sends it. But once a check is deemed worthless, the deposit amount is subtracted from the account. Meanwhile, cash has already been sent out, costing the victim both that cash and potentially penalties for overdrawing their account. Galaxy Elite purports to be based out of St. Louis, MO, but according to Better Business Bureau reports, the business does not exist at the address given. The company currently has an “F” rating with the BBB. Their business review can be found here: http://www.bbb.org/ The Better Business Bureau named mystery shopping scams such as this as the ‘Top Employment Scam (http://www.bbb.org/ One such company, Shopper’s View (http://www.shoppersview.com/) “Mystery shopping (or secret shopping) is a legitimate business and an extremely valuable tool for analyzing a company’s customer service skills and more. Unfortunately, for the many legitimate mystery shopping companies such as ours, these scammers give the whole industry a black eye as far as the general public is concerned. This is particularly true for those who have fallen prey to a scam.” To steer clear of get-rich-quick offers, the BBB advises mystery shopper applicants to · Ignore claims that you will make big profits easily. Mystery shopping will not make you rich; at best it provides part-time income. · Avoid falling for claims that “guarantee” · Be cautious of unsolicited e-mails offering “work-from- · Never pay money up-front. A legitimate mystery shopping service will not charge money for materials, training or recruiting. Never give them your credit card or bank account numbers · Never wire money. Wiring money is the same as sending cash. Once the money is gone it is very difficult, if not impossible, to recover. · Obtain the name of the company and check the business out with the local consumer protection agency and state attorney general. · Look for reputable firms that qualify and train mystery shoppers to perform specific evaluations. · To find the legitimate companies, review job listings, and to get certified as a Mystery Shopper (required by many companies), sign up with the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) at www.mysteryshop.org. · Check out the company's BBB Business Review at http://www.bbb.org If you believe you were a victim of this scam, report it to the following agencies: · The Federal Trade Commission. Visit ftc.gov or call 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) · The U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Visit www.usps.gov/ · Your state or local consumer protection agencies. Visit www.naag.org · The BBB at scams@emibbb.org About The Better Business Bureau Serving Detroit & Eastern Michigan The Better Business Bureau Serving Detroit & Eastern Michigan (http://detroit.bbb.org/) End
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