Consumer’s Being Scammed
By A Mystery Shopper Offer
Canadian Company is Fraudulently using West Virginia Company’s Name & Address
The Better Business Bureau is alerting consumers about a mystery-shopping scheme that is using a West Virginia company’s name and address to lure consumers into cashing bogus checks.
The BBB started receiving calls over the past few weeks from consumers Nationwide who received a letter and check in the mail. The letter states that the consumer is being invited to become a paid mystery shopper in their area. The letterhead and check appear to come from McMillion Research in Charleston, WY 25301. The zip code is a West Virginia zip code and phone numbers listed in the letters are originating from Canada.
The real McMillion Research is located at 1012 Kanawha Blvd E. in Charleston, West Virginia, not Wyoming. McMillion Research is in no way affiliated with this mystery shopping scam and is a BBB Accredited Business. McMillion Research is aware of this scam and is investigating to find the source.
The letter instructs consumers to deposit the check totaling $3750 into their checking account, wire $3150 by Western Union, keep $300 for themselves as pay, take out $200 for wiring fees, and use $100 to purchase merchandise. After all steps have completed, consumers are to contact their coordinator to receive further instructions. The following coordinators names have been listed in letters to consumers: Gloria Evans, Kenneth Evans, and Amanda Rubio.
One distraught consumer, who notified the BBB after following through with the whole deal, deposited the check. When the check bounced, the consumer was held responsible for the full check amount of $3750, and is left with no money to pay their bills.
The BBB advises any consumer that receives this offer to not respond and take the offer to your local Postal Inspector for investigation. If you are unsure if an offer is legitimate, consumers can contact the BBB at 1-800-362-0494.