Sanctuary day spa sent chech for 2.900 ask me to wire transfer most to Julie Phillips and David Anderson and then fax to 6466664343 it was sent by mail
I didnt get a phone call but I did get a letter stating I had filled out a survey and now was chosen to be a mystery shopper. All I was to do was cash the check in my account and make a purchase of $100 at one of the following retailers (there were 6 listed). Then I was to go to western union (there isn't one in my town) and send $2300 to some person in Dubai. When I was finished I was supposed to complete the form and fax to 1-646-666-4343. When I called the number on the letter I didn't actually think it would go thru but was thrown off when the guy answered. I then looked up their "financial sponsor" that was listed in the letter and they don't have a spa open for the address listed. I called the closest spa but they are not open on a saturday. I left a message asking them to call me back.
The 'Mystery shopper' scam is quite famous. The slightest mention of a 'wire transfer' (Western Union, MoneyGram, etc.) 100% fraud! When you deposit the check, which can take 6 - 8 weeks to clear (yes, even in the 21st century) guess what happens next?
http://www.westernunion.com/sites/us/consumer-protection/KnowledgeCenter.page
Never send money to people you haven't met in-person.
Never send money to pay for taxes or fees on lottery or prize winnings.
Never use a test question as an additional security measure to protect your transaction.
Never provide your banking information to people or businesses you don't know.
Never send money in advance to obtain a loan or credit card.
Never send money for an emergency situation without verifying that it's a real emergency.
Never send funds from a check in your account until it officially clears, which can take weeks.
Never send a money transfer for online purchases.