Confero Blog

Have you been a victim of a fake check scam?

Feb 12, 2010 by Confero Inc.

You may already be aware of the fake check scams that have been attached to the mystery shopping industry for the past couple of years. You have probably seen the numerous warnings we have posted over the past several months, like this recent consumer alert. We are working hard to alert as many consumers as possible about these scams and working with the necessary government agencies to get these scammers shut down.

We want to make sure our shoppers and other members of the community are aware of what they should do if they have become a victim of these scams or receive a fake check in the mail. First of all, if you receive a random check in the mail from an unknown source, never deposit it or cash it. Always, always, always investigate!

If you have been victimized by these scams or if you have been an attempted target (you receive a check but did not do anything with it), be sure to fill out the FTC complaint form on the Federal Trade Commission’s website. The more complaints they receive, the more attention this issue will receive. The more attention this issue receives, the more likely these scammers will be caught and prosecuted.
Hopefully, with your help we can get as many of the scammers as possible shut down!

Resources for fake check scams:

Better Business Bureau’s videos on Fake Check Scams
Federal Trade Commission’s videos on Money Transfer Scams
www.fakechecks.org
Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA)

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Elaine Buxton Elected President of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association Board of Directors

Feb 10, 2010 by Confero Inc.

CARY, N.C. – Elaine Buxton, president of Confero, Inc. (www.conferoinc.com), a national customer experience measurement firm, has been elected president of the board of directors for the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA). The MSPA is an organization dedicated to improving the quality of service in the retail industry, through the establishment of professional standards and ethics for the industry and the education of providers, clients and shoppers on service quality.

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Confero warns consumers about fake check scams

Jan 29, 2010 by Confero Inc.

We would like to remind consumers about the fake check scams that have attached the the mystery shopping industry for the past couple of years.

In this post, we are combining all the information and revelations from the past few months. Many consumers have received checks in the mail along with a letter on official-looking Confero letterhead. These checks are fake. The scam artists take the names of reputable companies in an attempt to fool unsuspecting consumers into cashing these fake checks. Always remember:

  • Confero does not send checks to shoppers as payment to shoppers.
  • Confero does not issue certified checks for shoppers to use during mystery shops.
  • Confero does not shop Western Union or Moneygram.
  • As the Fakecheck.org website states, “There is no legitimate reason why anyone would give you a check or money order and ask you to wire money in return.”

In recent months, the scam artists have also started to pose as Confero schedulers. The following names have been used by scammers: Melissa Cole, Timothy Reeds, Robert Preston, Michael Thomforde, James Clayton, Paula Moore, Carlos Burnett, Chris Jordan, Alexander Hopkins, Mark Dwane, Kevin Jones, Melissa Hillman and Jimmy Bruce. It is inevitable that the scammers will continue to change names, so please remember, any check sent to you by anyone claiming to represent Confero is a scam. None of these persons work for Confero, Inc. These are made-up names used in official looking email messages or regular postal mail.

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Go Red for Women on February 5th!

Jan 15, 2010 by Confero Inc.

Go Red for Women on February 5th!

Confero, Inc. is encouraging all our employees and mystery shoppers to circle February 5th, 2010 in red on their calendars. That’s the day Confero will join the American Heart Association (AHA)‘s fight against heart disease by holding Wear Red Day. We encourage everyone to participate by wearing red and donating $5 to help the AHA raise women’s awareness of cardiovascular disease and empower women to reduce their risk.

We are proud to be joining the AHA and other concerned companies and organizations across America in the fight against the #1 killer of women—as well as of men. Wear Red Day is a chance for us to arm ourselves with knowledge about this devastating disease and to raise funds that will help the AHA advance its research and education efforts.

Here at Confero, Inc. we have started a team website to help raise money in the fight against heart disease. Confero employees and mystery shoppers are urged to make donations to support this cause. Every penny counts! We also would like to encourage our mystery shoppers to find us on Facebook and become a Fan of Confero. For every new Facebook Fan between now and February 5th, 2010, Confero will donate $1, up to $1,000! Spread the word; tell your friends and family to become a fan of Confero today!

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Consumer Alert: Updated 01/08/10

Jan 08, 2010 by Confero Inc.

Confero was recently made aware of a new scam in the mystery shopping industry. Over the last few days, scammers posing as employees of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association have been contacting unsuspecting consumers with fake offers to become mystery shoppers.

Here is an email sent out by James Bradson who lists his job title as Head of Recruitment for the MSPA. This job does not exist.

Hello There!,

You have been selected for an assignment as a Mystery Shopper. You will earn $300 being a mystery shopper. Your employment packet will include funds for the shopping, a training assignment which will be sent to you after you receive payment for the assignment. A Pay check would be sent to you for the assignment in the form of a Check or Money Order. The pay check would be in a certain amount which you would be required to cash a your bank, deduct your salary, and have the rest used for the evaluation at the store that would be given to you to evaluate. Get back with the following details if interested.

Full Name:
Phone Number:
Nationality:
Alternative Email Address:

Email the above details to: mspassociation@aol.com

As a mystery shopper you work and shop together for pleasure and the pay is $300 weekly on Part time basis, You only work 2-3hours twice in a week. Do get back to the recruiting department of Mystery Shopper Provider Association (MSPA).

THANK YOU
James Bradson
HEAD OF RECRUITMENT

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