Posted by Kelly Pecot on Thu, Jul 15, 2010 @ 08:28 AM
The scammers are at it again. We received notice that someone is posting ads on Craigslist that claim to be from AboutFace™. When a person responds to the ad, he/she receives the following email from “Robin Hansen”:
Hello Betty,
My name is Robin Hansen, I represent AboutFace, a leading supplier of Customer Experience Evaluation services commonly known as mystery shopping. We are a company that conduct surveys and evaluate other companies. We helps CEO's and their leadership teams conceive clever, customer-centric strategies that engage customers in new and exciting ways. Because we are equally proficient in research, analysis, consulting and training, we are able to develop solutions that effectively deliver robust financial wins
We get hired to send our customer service evaluators or our mystery shoppers to other such companies and act like customers in order to know how the staffs are handling their services in relation to their customers. Once we have a contract to do so, you would be directed to the company or outlet, and you would be given the funds you need to do the job (either purchase things or require services), after which you would give a detailed record of your experience. This is why we need honest, faithful, loyal, reliable and trustworthy Customer Service Evaluators to work for us and joining our team of professionals.
Examples of details you would forward to us are
1) How long it took you to get services.
2) Smartness of the attendant (time wasting)
3) Customer service professionalism
4) Sometimes you might be required to upset the attendant, to see how they react to clients under pressure.
We turn these information's over to the company executives who will carry out their own duties in improving their services. Most companies employ our assistance when people give complains about their services, or when they feel there is a need to improve their customer service.
Your Identity will be kept confidential. You will be paid a total of $250 for every duty you complete. Funds would be given to you if you have to spend as part of the duty. If you are dedicated to this job, you should be able to complete three or more tasks a week and earn over $750 a week or better still $3000 monthly if you make yourself available with a high level of dedication.
Your job will be to evaluate and comment on customer service in a wide variety of shops, stores, restaurant and services providers in your area. No commitment is made on this job, and you would have flexible hours as it suits you.
We currently have a contract to evaluate both Western Union and Money Gram. This is due to the following reasons:
* Customers have reported their money missing
* Slow services
* Unbalanced transfer charges
* Poor servicing
* Rudeness to customers
* Excess charges
* Late opening time and Closing before time.
* Time wasting
Your Mystery/Secret Evaluation would be:
* To make a transfer of fund from any Western union location or Walmart/Money Gram location to another member of our customer service evaluation team and the fund would be picked up by that evaluator at the exact location which a customer reported her funds missing.
* You would have to record the time at which you got to the location and how long it took you to get serviced.
* You would also provide me with the first name of the cashier that attends to you.
* You would be sent a payment which would cover your $250 PAY and the fund needed for the task, so as soon as you receive the check, you would cash it at your bank, deduct your $250 PAY and use the rest to complete the assignment/task.
While carrying out your duty, you are expected to:
* Dress Neatly
* Be Confident
* Go straight to the point
* Complete your job on time
* Keep the task secret (not known to anyone)
* Take accurate comments (preferably in your mind)
If you are interested in this job position, fill the application form below and have it sent back to me via email.
Regards,
Robin Hansen.
707-413-6489
APPLICATION FORM
DATE:
FIRST NAME..........
LAST NAME...........
HOME ADDRESS (NOT P. O Box)..............
CITY.........
STATE..........
ZIP CODE............
COUNTRY.......
PHONE NUMBER(S)...........
AGE ...........
GENDER ............
CURRENT OCCUPATION (IF ANY) ............
Terms of Agreement.
- I understand that I will be paid strictly on a job done basis.
- I understand that the money I would use to carry out any assignment would be provided for (We would provide you the money needed to carry out your task).
- I understand that we reserves the right to reject poor quality work or late reports.
- I understand that I will work my own hours, and make sure I complete the task the day I am told to.
- I understand that I should NEVER share any completed or incomplete reports with anyone else.
- I understand that reports must be submitted the same day they are completed unless otherwise stated.
- I understand that I must be available at any time via both e-mail and telephone when the need arises regarding an ongoing or completed assignment.
signature: -----------------
Please be aware that the referenced ad and email are NOT from AboutFace™. AboutFace™ NEVER posts ads for mystery shops on Craigslist. While Robin Hansen is a Client Services Manager at AboutFace™ (that information is available from our website at www.aboutfacecorp.com), she did NOT place the ad or send the email. (When the telephone number contained in the email above was called, a male answered the call and claimed to be Robin Hansen.)
Don’t become a victim of this scam! Any ads or emails that involve receiving Western Union, Money Gram, cashier’s checks, money orders, etc., and keeping part of the money are SCAMS. Report suspected scammers to the Federal Trade Commission (this video shows how) and/or the Internet Fraud Complaint Center. If you see an ad or receive an email that claims to be from AboutFace™ but it looks fishy to you, contact me at kelly.pecot@aboutfacecorp.com and I’ll let you know if it’s legitimate. Include a copy of the ad or email with your inquiry.
Always remember: If it looks too good to be true, it usually is.
Posted by Angie Hullett on Fri, Jun 05, 2009 @ 10:10 AM
Hello!
Thanks to one of our shoppers - we were made aware of the latest attempt to use AboutFace's name in a scam. The following email is being sent out and PLEASE do not respond to it. It IS a scam!! Anyone who receives the email below, something like this or just anything that has our name on it and seems "off", send it to me to and I will verify whether it is indeed from us or something fraudulent. My email address is Kelly.Pecot@aboutfacecorp.com.
Here is the email that they are sending - the email address that it is coming from is - aboutface.shopper1@rediffmail.com
AboutFace™ uses the frontline measurement tool secret or mystery shopping to help companies and teams reach their full potential. Our secret shopper programs effectively allow clients to hold a mirror up to their business urging them to look inward and discover all that is good and not so good about how they operate. Second, our services equip our clients with the tools, guidance and support to help them capitalize on their organization's strengths and minimize or eliminate their weaknesses.
There are many secret shopping companies out there that ask you to pay "a small fee" to become a shopper. Don't do it! At AboutFace™, you will never pay to shop! We pay you!
Mystery shopping is a great way to supplement your income. It is a fun and exciting opportunity, but it is not for everyone! Shoppers should have the following:
- Viable transportation
- Stable home office:
- Computer and ability to check e-mail often (the library or friend’s computer will not cut it)
- Fax, scanner, copier
- Telephone
- Great writing skills
- Super detail oriented
- Deadline driven
Your Identity would be kept confidential (Mystery shopper) you would be paid $300 for every duty you carry out, and bonus on your transportation allowance.
FULL NAME:
CONTACT ADDRESS:
CITY:
STATE:
ZIP-CODE:
TELEPHONE NUMBER:
MOBILE NUMBER:
OCCUPATION:
EMAIL:
NB: Your contact detail will be used in sending you a check payment that will consist of your $300 payment and the funds for the evaluation/shopping, so make sure you provide us with a valid data.
There are over 750 mystery shopping companies out there, and we strive to be the best. Year after year, we have been awarded top honors for the services we provide.
Human Resources Director
Bobby Blunt
206-337-1055
About Face Corp.
Thanks so much for being a loyal AboutFace shopper!!
Kelly Pecot
Logistics Team Director
AboutFace
Posted by Angie Hullett on Sat, Jan 17, 2009 @ 09:24 PM
They are at it again. Recently a shopper contacted us to let us know about a suspicious email that she received "appearing" to be from AboutFace. Luckily she did not fall for it and sent it to us to confirm whether it was legit or not. Here is what the email looks like - DO NOT fall for it:
Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 17:30:58 -0800
Subject: Re: shopping job near you...
From: thomasmild1@googlemail.com
To: YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS
Hello Secret shopper, You are welcome to our team at Aboutfacecorp Worldwide. We will notify you soon as we send funds out.
If you ever receive and email from someone telling you that they are going to send you money - do not fall for it. They are going to cause you MANY problems and LOTS of money! IF you ever have doubt about a job offer - ASK before you do anything with it.
Posted by Angie Hullett on Thu, Nov 27, 2008 @ 01:15 PM
Please watch closely to what shops you respond to!! They are at it again and they are coming in from a different angle! They are getting tricky - please be careful as they are using 'shops' that are really being performed by REAL companies.
The scam appears as like this:
You receive an email from a mystery shopping company. The subject of the email is "Please be my hero". They briefly state the shop as taking a test drive at an Audi dealer; no credit information is necessary. They pay $17 for the shop. Gas money could be negotiated if the destination was very far.
You are prompted to go to a "school" to learn their dos and don'ts, etc. It is about a 20 minute test. Then, before you officially "graduate" you are linked to a site that replicates PayPal where they casually ask for your email address and password for PayPal!
Mystery shopping companies will NEVER ask for your PayPal password - only your PayPal email address. Please do not give your password to anyone unless you are certain you are at PayPal's log in page. (Type in http://www.paypal.com/ to your browser instead of linking through someone else's page.)
Never give ANY personal passwords out to anyone. There should never be a reason that someone would need to know them!! Guard your personal files!!
~Kelly Pecot
Logistics Director
Posted by Angie Hullett on Mon, Oct 20, 2008 @ 08:27 AM
Attention WA Shoppers!
They are after you guys this time. Please click on the link below - to read up on the latest and remember - 'If it sounds too good to be true DON'T trust them'
http://www.kgw.com/news-local/stories/kgw_101708_news_mystery_shopper_scam.1220ecd4b.html
Thanks!
Kelly
Posted by Angie Hullett on Wed, Sep 03, 2008 @ 09:42 AM
On Monday, AboutFace received an email from a concerned shopper who had received a suspicious email message that LOOKED like it came from AboutFace. The shopper wanted to know if it was real or not.
IT IS NOT REAL -- IT IS A SCAM!
Please take a closer look at the message below so you will recognize it if you get it.
This message did not come from AboutFace. The email address, physical address, fax number and many other details appear to be legitimate, but they are not accurate for the real AboutFace. Please do not respond to the message or send them any information about yourself.
If you do receive this message, please forward it to webmaster@aboutfacecorp.com AboutFace is investigating this scam and has contacted the proper authorities.
Actual Message Below:
--- On Mon, 8/25/08, Marion J Wagner <aboutfacesecretshoppers@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Marion J Wagner
Subject: Mystery Shopper Acceptance Offer
To: island.girl28@yahoo.com
Date: Monday, August 25, 2008, 6:36 AM
3288 Thompson Bridge Road,Suite #327.Gainesville, GA 30506
Fax: 206-426-2022
www.aboutfacecorp.com
About Face secret shopping. surveys and conduct evaluation Programs on other companies.
About Face Profile Introduction:
About Face survey is hired by restaurants, retail businesses and other service
businesses to help them determine how the consumer perceives the quality
of their service and product. We send shoppers anonymously into their
locations to order a meal in a restaurant, make a purchase in a retail
establishment or inquiry to a service business. The mystery shopper acts
like any normal customer.After the visit, the shopper send in a report, question or comment
about the events that happened during the visit. The information should be objective only and should contain only the facts about the visit.
The shopper is reimbursed for the meal or purchase up to the maximum amount set by the client. In some cases, the shopper is also paid a small fee for filling out the forms and in cases where there is no reimbursement, the shopper is paid a flat fee for completing the assignment. If you decide to become an About Face shopper, you would be an
independent contractor. You would have the option to accept or decline any assignment we offer you.
However, if you do accept an assignment, you must fulfill the requirements of the
assignment according to our instructions in order to be insured reimbursement and/or payment. Once you accept an assignment,your report must be completed and submitted within 24 hours after the visit.The receipt (if required) must be sent in within the same
time frame,either by fax or e-mail.
Your job will be to evaluate and comment on customer service in a wide variety of shops, stores, restaurant and services in your area.
Requirement:
a) The mystery shopper acts like any normal customer:
b) Smartness of the attendant:
c) The quality of customer service:
d) How long it took you to get services done:
e) You might be required to upset the attendant, to see how they react to
clients when they get tensed:
This Report would be turned over to the company. Most companies employ our assistance when people give complains about their services, or when they feel there are needs for them to improve their customer service.Your Identity would be kept confidential as the job states (secret shopper)you would be paid a flat fee of $375 for every evaluation assignment and bonus on your transportation allowance, and funds would be given to you if you have to dine as part of the duty. Your shopper profile Provided to us as been Accepted and Your Shoppers Tag Profile Number is: Rep ID# FPH04609.
You would be provided with the service Location to start up with as soon as possible. We would like you to inform us on the mode of payment that would be most suitable by you to receive funds from us for your services:
Payment by:
* Certified Check:
* Online Check Payment Via e-mail
* Money Orders:
Regards.
Joseph Cobler.
Market Viewpoint.
Appreciate your participation in making your opinion count!
Director.
About Face Survey.
3288 Thompson Bridge Road,Suite #327.Gainesville, GA 30506
Fax: 206-426-2022
Email: aboutfacesecretshoppers@yahoo.com
Posted by Angie Hullett on Wed, Jun 25, 2008 @ 08:53 AM
More good news, again from Canada, with regard to the scammers who defraud people under the guise of mystery shopping.
I contacted the Competition Bureau in Canada yesterday to inquire about their progress in finding and stopping the scammers. Andrew Hughes of the Competition Bureau called me this morning to inform me that they have arrested a few more people, whose cases are moving through the courts. In addition, he said one person who was arrested last year has been sentenced to 20 months jail time. He talked me through to the URL for the news release on the conviction, whicy you may see at:
http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/epic/site/cb-bc.nsf/en/02669e.html
Unfortunately, there appear to be many more of these scammers "out there," so I expect we'll continue to hear about them. But at least the Canadians and, to some extent the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Postal Service, are taking this matter seriously.
Posted by Angie Hullett on Thu, Mar 20, 2008 @ 06:13 PM
After years of trying to catch these people - 2 arrests have been made in connection with the money order/check cashing scam. Please see the article below for more information:
http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=824220&k=secret%20shopper%20scam
Thanks!
Kelly Pecot
Posted by Angie Hullett on Sun, Feb 17, 2008 @ 11:03 AM
Attention: Ohio Shoppers (Columbus Area)
NBC News out of Columbus Ohio is reporting that a mystery shopper in their area received a check for $4000 and was asked to cash it and mail back all but $376 - which she could keep for her time. Unfortunately she did not know about this ongoing scam and did cash the check. She is now being forced to pay back all the money from her personal money. Please - if you are sent a check from anyone and they are asking you to cash it check it and double check to make sure it is legit - 99% of the time I would say that it will NOT be on the up and up. The link below will take you to the Columbus story - always keep your guard up when it comes to things like this!!
http://www.nbc4i.com/cmh/news/local/article/secret-shopper_scam_takes_1st_local_victim/12927/