The Check Scam

What happens when you get a check in the mail for $3,500 dollars? If you're like me times are tough and this could be the answer to those prayers right........WRONG!

There is a new scam out that sends counterfeit checks in the mail. The ammo is to prey on people looking for honest work opportunities in a struggling economy.

The letter that comes with the check states that I have been selected to become a mystery shopper. It says that I've been chosen as a Consumer Service Evaluator for selected service stations and retail venues. It says my salary would be $300.00 per assignment for the first two months and increased to $400 thereafter.

It also says my first assignment is to go to a local gas station and check for gouging pump prices. The second assignment is to go to a Money Gram or Western union, (this is imprinted in bold in the letter but the first assignment isn't). For both assignments I am to determine the overall value of customer service.

They gave me a number to call, (514)660-0965) in order to contact Jessica Bell or James Smith because they are the co-coordinators. They instruct me that my first assignment should be within a week's time of receiving the letter.....IMPULSE.

Everything I purchase is mine to keep. Sounds good to some folk's right?
The steps they claim will get me started are: 1. Deposit the check into any account 2. Call coordinators within twenty-four hours to get project assignments 3. Complete the mystery shopping as instructed 4. Fill out the evaluation sheets and call the coordinator about my experience.

Here's how they explain the $3,500.00 is supposed to be broken down: 1. Probation fees for each assignment (remember there's 2).....$300.00; 2. Bonus funds awarded for gas and shopping.....$100.00; 3. Funds for the assignment.....$3,100 which leads to the total of $3,500 bucks.

For many desperate hard working folks this probably sounds like a pretty good opportunity, but doesn't it just sound too good to be true?

If I'm awarded the $400 bucks for probation fees and gas expenses aren't the funds for the assignment already taken care of? Why do I have to send $3,100 dollars back to the company that gave me the money in the first place?

Here's the Scam

I gave (514)660-0965 a call and told them I was calling them regarding the letter I received in the mail to become a secret shopper. As with most businesses that run during business hours I listened for business sounds in the background. There were no other voices talking on phones, no ringing phones, no keyboard clacking, just someone immediately ending the conversation so whoever answered my call could speak.

Before I could ask questions the first thing the young lady wanted to know was if I deposited the check into an account. I replied, "No, I actually don't have a bank account."

The voice then told me to deposit it into a family members account, and that stunned me. I proceeded to ask her, "If this is a check can't I just go to the currency exchange and cash it?" The lady told me no, since it's a cashier's check it has to be deposited into a bank account. She then continued to tell me the check usually clears within 24 hours and once it clears give her a call back so I can receive further instructions.

I still plan to call (514)660-0965 back to tell her the check cleared.

As you can see on the check it states a company named Kelly Custom Homes, I checked the better business bureau, Google, and ask dot com, there isn't a business that provides these particular services under that name. I then checked for the name at the top of the check.....NOTHING.

The fax number and the telephone number are two totally different area codes Along with a different company name on the letterhead KELLY MARKETING LOGISTICS.

The scam artist waits for the check to clear in your account and ask you to keep a certain amount of money for your services, in my case $400 dollars. The rest of the money is to be sent directly through money gram for the $3,100 dollars for assignment funds.

Usually once the check has been cleared and all the money is gone from your account the co-coordinator disappears too. Within 1-3 weeks your bank calls you about a bad check being deposited and cashed.

Now that you've spent and gave the money to crooks you have no money to pay back the bank what you owe, causing you to be $3,500 in debt. Or you could be shopping at a store for your new found company then here comes the police handcuffing you for counterfeit checks.

And the best part guys are the crooks get away scot free because the number they usually give like (514)660-0965 are pay-as-you-go phones with no clear record of true identity.

It's sad that people are actually out there scamming and ripping people off, especially through hard times like these, but the reality is there are people who do these things and could care less how it affects the lives of others. And thank God for people that actually take a stand to help as many people as possible against these cruel scams. Good Luck Guys!!!!!!