Scam News

Confero Warns Consumers of Scam Artist Posing as a Confero Mystery Shop Recruiter

Apr 07, 2009 by Confero Inc.

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.

What can consumers do to steer clear of this?

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Never pay to be accepted as a shopper. Reputable firms pay YOU to mystery shop and charge you NOTHING to sign up.

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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

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Confero Warning about Fake Check & Money Transfer Scams: Updated 11/2/09

Nov 02, 2009 by Confero Inc.

*Updated: 11/2/09 *

Please take a few minutes to watch these videos recently release by the Federal Trade Commission. David Vladeck, Director of the Bureau of Consumer Protection explains several money transfer scams, including The Grandparent Scam, The Counterfeit Check Scam and the Mystery Shopper Scam.

Be sure to read our other Consumer Alerts regarding Fake Checks and other scams affecting the mystery shopping industry.

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Confero and Better Business Bureau (BBB) Release Mystery Shopping Scam Video

Nov 24, 2009 by Confero Inc.

As a reputable company with 24 years in business, we are always concerned about scams involving mystery shopping. The scam typically plays out like this: the consumer receives a certified check from the bogus mystery shopping company, along with an "assignment" to deposit the check and then send funds via Western Union or Moneygram to a person designated on the assignment. The idea is that Western Union or Moneygram are being "mystery shopped" and the mystery shopper can keep a portion of the check amount. Usually, the certified check amounts are $900-5,000 with shoppers enticed into performing the shop by being allowed to keep anywhere from $300 to $900. Eventually, what happens is that the consumer is notified by his or her bank that the certified check was not good. The full amount of the check is then charged back to the consumer's checking account, leaving the consumer owing the money back to the bank.

Unfortunately, in many scams, the names of real, legitimate mystery shopping companies are used to entice unwitting consumers. Confero was one such legitimate company whose name was forged to be used by a scammer. Confero's President, Elaine Buxton, sat down with the Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina’s Communication and Public Relations Specialist, Courtney Smith on November 18, 2009 to discuss ongoing scams in the mystery shopping industry.

In this video, Elaine discusses the most common mystery shopping scam and what consumers should know about it:

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Confero warns consumers about fake check scams

Jan 29, 2010 by Confero Inc.

Updated: 7/13/10

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, Jimmy Bruce, Michael Hislap and Ashley Coleman. 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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