Your E-mails

This e-mail is very important. Thank you to the person who wrote me concerning this matter. This is a must-read. Write me anytime at mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com and/or IM me on Yahoo! Messenger: mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com.

[the e-mail]

From: -----
To: mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 1:36:41 PM
Subject: Whitney - I PM you also on CouponMomForum

Can you help me Whitney?

Hi I wrote to you before about "mystery shopping" and surveys. You PM'd me back. Well, I signed up for some surveys and at the end of one (or two) it asked if I would like to be a "mystery shopper". Well today I got an envelope with a letter and a check and a "Company Evaluation/Survey Form. The check is for $3,875.00. I am to keep $400.00, funds for shopping are:$35.00-Walmart, $20.00-Sears,$20.00-McDonald's. $3400.00 for Money Gram. Can you email me, as I can't write alot with PM.

My email is: ----- Put your name in the subject line (Whitney-mystery shopping). I did a Mapquest and it gave me directions for this bank Mellon Bank, Pittsburg, PA Wondering if this is a scam or legit? When I did the Mapquest the bank Mellon Bank at 500 Ross St., Pittsburg, PA 15262 showed up and also gave me a phone number. I tried to call but it says "all circuts are busy".

Also, the check is from the company Time Warner Cable, Shared Service Center, 7800 Crescent Executive Drive, Charlotte, NC 28217

The check is made in my name, with date of 03/05/2009, routing numbers, check numbers - looks totally legit - looks like a company printed check.

Do you know anything about this. The company who sent me my letter (dated 03/06/09) is called: MarketStar, Consumer Research Group (Best source for secret shopper employment), 11 Highland Dr. Cortlandt Manor, NY 10567

Is this real or a scam?

Please get back to me as what to do.

Thank you Whitney

[my reply]

From: Whitney At Mystery Shoppers Unite
To: -----
Sent: Friday, March 13, 2009 5:35:23 PM
Subject: Re: Whitney - I PM you also on CouponMomForum

Hi -----,

I am so glad you contacted me before doing this. Yes, it is a scam and I am sorry that you have been a target. Do not do it. I suggest you shred the check. There was something on Dr. Phil about how a woman cashed a check and got scammed out of so much money. Please do not do this. Only shop with companies listed with MSPA (Mystery Shopping Providers Association). Their website is here. Either shred the letter or if you want to be proactive, report the scammers to the BBB (Better Business Bureau).

Check-cashing scam press release found here.

Whitney

Confused Yet? Start at the Feb. 3rd Post.

UPDATES FOR 2/5/09:

• You have spoken. Your thoughts DO count, so thank you for contacting me with your suggestions and ideas to make this an exceptional Blog for all of us to enjoy. I have received e-mails and various messages about your needs. With that being said, immediately I will be including a post on an introduction to blogging for newbies. This will help you with setting up your first Blog in order to participate on Mystery Shoppers Unite, or with any other Blog in the Blogosphere. Creating your own Blog will really help you to grasp the idea of this entire Mystery Shoppers Unite page; and, you'll be introduced to some additional other fabulous Blogs as well. [I am only one person, so until I can get this informational post out, please take the initiative to sign up for Blogger.com and follow the easy step-by-step instructions to create your first blog. Once you have done this, begin surfing the Blogosphere on your own; it's just like surfing the Web].
  
• I am working on getting set up on YAHOO! Messenger too. YAHOO! Messenger is like an instant messaging tool. Once set up, you will be able to get in contact with me immediately concerning the brand new Blog I'm creating for you. After we get established, YAHOO! Messenger will be used for "Instant" type-of interactive activities for us within the Blog. Please take a moment and sign up for YAHOO! Instant Messenger and add me to your contacts list: mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com. I will let all of you know when I have that up and running, but if you're quick like me you'll probably see me pop up on your messenger before I create a post about it! ;)
  
• Continue to spread the word about Mystery Shoppers Unite. This social network is for you and it will flourish most by word-of-mouth from all of you.
  
• You can always e-mail me any time, I check it frequently: mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com.

Enjoy your Thursday! ;)


UPDATES FOR 2/4/09:

• New Button created for distribution! Yaay, I'm excited. The directions on how to get it are below in the first post. Post it to your page, tell the whole world! ...tell the Blogoworld too ;) (I think I just made that word up, lol) ...send it to your favorite people, :D :D
• Poll Questions added with more choices.
• More Interactive Activities added to list.
• Continue to spread the word about Mystery Shoppers Unite. This social network is for you and it will flourish most by word-of-mouth from all of you.
• You can always e-mail me any time. I check it frequently: mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com.
  

Thank you all and I'm really looking forward to this new phenomenon within the Blogosphere! :) It's going to be great, it's kismet! I'm happy that you're apart of it too ;)

Let's get the word out about Mystery Shoppers Unite!
Go TEAM, GO! ;),

If you're new, please start at the Feb. 3rd post. Begin following this blog to immediately receive a Mystery Shopping packet. Once you join, e-mail mysteryshoppersunite@ymail.com.