Mystery Shopper Scam victim

Please note, information explaining Mystery Shopper scams can be found on our forum here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3254
and Check Scams information here: viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3238

Link to news story, which includes a video: http://www.live5news.com/Global/story.asp?S=12296665

Full text of the article:

Ladson man victim of secret shopper scam
Posted: Apr 12, 2010 3:23 PM EDT

LADSON, SC (WCSC) - A Ladson man lost more than $2000 to a secret shopper scam.

For Robby Brand, it seemed like a way to make a few easy dollars. The unemployed Ladson man found a website where he could be a mystery shopper.

"See how well they know their products and you just purchase stuff and just ask questions, just to check the customer service out," said Brand.

Brand was contacted by a mystery shopping company called A Closer Look. At least he thought it was that company.

He was sent a cashier's check for $2,850, and told he would earn $200 for shopping.

Brand went back on line to take a closer look at A Closer Look. "It popped up, had a whole bunch of information. The company had been in business for 15 years," said Brand.

He deposited the check in the bank and was told to use $40 from that to shop.

Brand was told to wire $2,564 through Western Union to London, England. "I assumed that it was legit because I went to the Bank of America and they took the check," said Brand.

He would soon find out the check was a fraud. When he tried to charge lunch on his bank debit card, it was declined. "I went online on my phone in my checking account and saw I had a negative $2,000 balance on my account," said Brand.

Brand had been ripped off by con artists who somehow copied the logo and information from the legitimate company. "I almost cried," he said.

We contacted A Closer Look company president Chuck Paul, who said this type of scam has been going on for three years.

He told us legitimate mystery shopping companies never send out cash in advance to their clients.

For Robby Brand, it's a hard lesson learned, with a warning to all of us. "Please watch yourself, so you don't wind up in my predicament."

Brand said his bank is holding him accountable for the fraudulent check. He's contacted the Federal Trade Commission and FBI for help.

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