Confero Reiterates Consumer Warning of Scam Artist Posing as Confero Recruiter in Fake Checks Scam

Oct 19, 2009 by Confero Inc.

Update….
Many consumers have received checks in the mail along with a letter on official-looking Confero letterhead. These are fake.

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.

Also, add the names Melissa Cole and Timothy Reeds to the list of fake Confero scheduler names being used.

Most of the fake checks we have been made aware of are drawn on BBVA or Compass Bank. Confero does not have an account with those banks. THE CHECKS ARE FAKE. DO NOT CASH THEM. Click here to see BBVA Bank’s consumer alert about the scam.

As discussed in earlier posts, we have received requests from would-be mystery shoppers asking that we validate the employment of Robert Preston, Micheal Thomforde, James Clayton, Paula Moore, Carlos Burnett, Chris Jordan and now Alexander Hopkins. None of these persons work for Confero. These are made-up names used in official-looking email messages from people trying to scam unsuspecting consumers. Sometimes, the scam emails have been spoofed to look like the message is from Confero and to hide the true origin of the email. Other times, the sender simply pastes the Confero name or website into his or her email message. Either way, these scammers are attempting to fool consumers into thinking they are dealing with Confero.

Persons interested in legitimate mystery shopping may visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) website for information about ethical, legitimate mystery shopping companies. Confero is a member of the MSPA. To register your interest to mystery shop for Confero,please visit the Shoppers’ Center tab above for complete details.

If you have fallen victim to this scam, or if you have been contacted by any of these scammers, please file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).. The FTC also offers information about mystery shopping and the Mystery Shopping Providers Association at
this link.

Check out the BBB video about three (3) common fake check scams.

What can consumers do to steer clear of this?

Only sign up to mystery shop with reputable firms. All members of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association have agreed to honor a code of ethics.
Reputable firms are not likely to ask for your name, address and other contact info via email. Sign up with firms that offer a secure website for sign ups.
Never pay to be accepted as a shopper. Reputable firms pay YOU to mystery shop and charge you NOTHING to sign up.
Don’t be fooled by large dollar amounts. Most typical, real mystery shop assignments would earn a fee of $8 to $35—not the hundreds or thousands the scam artists offer in the fake check scam!
Never wire money to anyone you don’t know.

Check out the BBB video about three (3) common fake check scams.

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.”

Click here to see the NBC national news story about this scam and how to avoid it.

Tagged: mystery shopping, mystery shopper, confero, mystery shopping providers association, mspa, scam, mystery shop, better business bureau, bbb

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i just received a check today(10-29-09). Why do bad people have to do this when people need money? Also, the FAKE recruiter’s name I have is KEVIN JONES and MELISSA HILLMAN PH.D. director human resources. e-mail me back if you need more info.

mark reid
Thursday, October 29, 2009

I received a fake check today dated 10/23/2009.
My fake recruiters name is Kevin Jones. Please E-mail me back on this matter. Thank you

christina Anderson
Thursday, November 05, 2009

i got a check from joel goodman from secret shoppers which was a scam. his check was from factory builder stores. the bank was compass bank in houston tx. they told me their account their had a different account number. but his email address is .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) was a scam. i still have the check and didnt cash it. im sending back to the general attorney office. so they can put him on the list.

steve reichenbach
Thursday, November 05, 2009

Same as Christina posted. Letter dated 10/23 from Melissa Hillman and coordinator Kevin Jones.

Amanda Klinger
Saturday, November 07, 2009

Hello:

We received an email with grammatical errors asking us to become mystery shoppers. The contact person is: Thanks For Your Total Understanding.

Sales/Hiring Manager

Attn: Mark Dwane

Delivering simple solutions and achievable business objectives

There was no check or anything like that. Is this a scam as well?

Tom Carrero
Monday, November 09, 2009

The email circulating with the name Mark Dwane is a scam, as well. Someone is “spoofing” Confero’s email address. If you are interested in legitimate mystery shopping opportunities, please visit our Shoppers’ Center within this website. You may also visit http://www.mysteryshop.org to visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association’s list of legitimate mystery shopping companies.

Confero
Tuesday, November 10, 2009

I received this letter in the mail on November 28 and I thought I needed to look this up so I did ,come to find out It was a fake so what am I suppose to do about this so please call me and let me know at 606-798-5882

Brian Helphenstine
Sunday, November 29, 2009