BBB: beware of mystery shopper scams

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Better Business Bureau is warning job seekers about thirteen businesses to avoid. According to the BBB, some companies that appear to be seeking "mystery shoppers," are scams.

While some agencies are recruiting "mystery shoppers," so are scam artists, according to the BBB.

This is how the BBB describes the scam, "Everything goes smoothly at first. The banking institution listed on the check is a real bank, and the account number and routing number on the check are real. The “shopper” is able to deposit the check in their bank account without a glitch. However, a serious problem arises later when the "shopper" is notified by their bank that the check is counterfeit, and they must repay the bank the money they withdrew against the bad check, plus fines."

BBB warns against the following business and their ‘mystery shopping’ job offers all currently F rated, due to concerns BBB has with the industry in which they operate:

Liberty Trade Management Services of Batavia, NY - consumers have reported to the BBB that they have received unsolicited checks and wired money to a foreign location. After wiring the money consumers are alerted from the bank that the checks are not good and the consumers have to repay the bank.

The National Consumer Voice Customer Evaluation of Niagara Falls, NY - consumers were sent a check in the mail. When one consumer tried to cash the check the bank verified the check was fraudulent.

Schnuck Survey Consumer Research of Niagara Falls, NY – consumers report this company sent checks in the mail for a Secret Shopping opportunity. The address the company is using is a fraudulent address in NY.

Consumers are also encouraged to avoid the following ten businesses:

In Touch Mystery Shopper Experts of Warsaw, NY

Kata Management of Lancaster, NY

Laredo Marketing Inc. of Niagara Falls, NY

Logic Marketing Inc. of Lockport, NY

Mystery Evaluation Research Company of Clifton Park, NY

Regional Marketing Services of Rochester, NY

Spectrum Management Inc. of Rochester, NY

The First Alliance Survey Management Services Inc. of Buffalo, NY

Vantage Market Research Inc. of Syracuse, NY

Yak Management Solution of Lancaster, NY