Fraudulent Check Cashing Scam

Many legitimate businesses use "Mystery Shoppers" as part of their consumer watch programs to evaluate the products and customer service of major corporations.  Unfortunately, many scam operators also use similar operations in fraudulent activities to victimize the unsuspecting public.  These scams use professional appearing checks and documents to trick people into cashing checks for large amounts, requesting the recipients perform a service evaluation at a business outlet of their choice.  

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Checks that accompany these scams may appear to be from legitimate banking institutions and often range from $1,000 to $5,000.  If you receive such a check, DO NOT CASH IT!  Legitimate companies that utilize mystery shoppers do not send out such checks for that type of work.  An Astoria man recently reported receiving such a check, and investigation quickly determined that this was a scam operation operating out of Quebec, Canada.   This particular scam was using the business name of MERRITS RESEARCH, Inc.  There are many others as well.  Use good common sense and don't become a victim of such scams. 

For further information, you may visit:

Consumer Watch - www.WHAS11.com

Better Business Bureau - BBB

OCC - Washington, DC

http://www.marketwire.com/

http://www.mysteryshop.org/new.article_pr.php?art_ID=98