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Corporate Research International Warns Consumers About Mystery Shopping Scam
Firm Urges: Beware of Quick Cash Offers
| Source: Corporate Research International
FINDLAY, OH -- (MARKET WIRE) -- April 6, 2007 -- A sophisticated mystery shopping scam is rapidly
spreading across the country and conning consumers out of millions of
dollars, according to Corporate Research
International (CRI), an Ohio-based mystery shopping
and consumer satisfaction firm.
The scam involves letters to consumers offering a mystery shopping job to
evaluate one or more leading money wire services. The letter is accompanied
by a cashier's check for several thousand dollars with instructions to cash
the check at a local bank and then wire the cash to a designated location
in Canada. The consumer is directed to keep several hundred dollars as
payment for evaluating the service received from the money wire service.
The cashier's check ultimately bounces and the customer is left liable for
the funds.
CRI's name, along with those of other legitimate firms, has been
fraudulently used in the letters to establish credibility with the
unsuspecting recipient.
"It's shocking how complex these schemes have become," said Mike Mallett,
CEO of Corporate Research International. "I am obviously concerned that our
name is being falsely used in this manner, but I am outraged that innocent
consumers are being scammed out of their hard earned dollars."
According to the latest figures from the Mystery Shopping Providers
Association, the legitimate mystery shopping industry is estimated at $600
million per year and growing.
"There are many legitimate mystery
shopping firms offering valuable services," said Mallett. "But
consumers still need to be on the lookout for scams. I tell people that
they should never pay to become a mystery shopper and to always remember
that if it seems too good to be true, it probably is."
CRI posted a warning on the company's Web site and issued an alert to
consumer protection agencies. The firm continues to work with local law
enforcement as well as the FBI in the investigation. Consumers are urged to
contact local officials if they receive one of these scam letters.
About Corporate Research International
Founded in 1989, Corporate Research International specializes in mystery
shopping services and interactive customer voice and Web response surveys.
The company has built a reputation for tracking trends of quality service
and appearance. Corporate Research International was named to the Inc. 500
list of fastest growing private companies in 2005 and 2006. For more
information visit www.corpri.com.