Confero Blog

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

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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[7] Comments

Refer a Friend and You Could Win $50!  List updated October 30, 2009

by Confero Inc.

Updated 10/30/09.
We are pleased to announce our newest Shopper Hot Spots areas.

These are areas in which we need to recruit additional mystery shoppers for a variety of reasons:

  • We need shoppers who live near the locations being shopped, especially in this time of high gas prices!
  • Shoppers are rotated so several shoppers are needed in each location being shopped, even in small-town markets!
  • We may have new programs starting in an area.

Current Hot Spots….

These are the cities in which we need shoppers NOW and we would appreciate your referrals. At the end of each month, we will draw the name of one lucky referrer who will receive a $50 bonus from Confero (to qualify, your referred friend must have successfully completed a mystery shop).

We will announce the winners here each month (in such a way that identities are kept secret!)

Just click on a city below

We welcome all referrals, but only those for the cities below will qualify for the monthly drawing.

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

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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[9] Comments

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

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 President Elaine Buxton Named 2009 Businesss Leader Woman Extraordinaire

by Confero Inc.

CARY, N.C. – Confero, Inc. (www.conferoinc.com), a national customer experience measurement firm, has announced that Elaine Buxton, president of the firm, has been named a 2009 Women Extraordinaire recipient by Business Leader magazine.

Those selected as Women Extraordinaire honorees are recognized for being leaders, innovators, problem solvers and inspirations to other women. These women serve the community by making a difference for worthy causes or by providing leadership, direction or support to a service-based professional, civic or charitable organization. Sixteen women business leaders in the Triangle were honored at an awards ceremony on Dec. 7 and will be featured in Business Leader magazine.

QUOTES:
“I am honored to be recognized among such an esteemed group of women business leaders,” said Buxton. “I thank Business Leader magazine for this honor, and I look forward to continuing to serve the Triangle community.”

DETAILS: – Buxton serves as the president-elect of the board of directors for the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) as well as on the Advisory Board for Enterprising Women magazine.

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