CPC - Consumer Protection Commission Customer Evaluation Nova Research, Inc. secret shopper evaluator consumer research program customer service evaluation Niagra Falls, New York

Received a check for $1985.00 in an envelope marked costco wholesale, it contained a letter regarding secret shopping, check is drawn on Montecito Bank & Trust in Solvang, Ca.  The name of the company issuing check is Nova Research, Inc. dba Nova Sensors in Buellton, CA.  The letter states to call a Mr. Paul Ortega at 1-289-892-0031 for activation.  This is a scam.  Why would a company from NY draw checks from a CA bank.  At the bottom of the page, the sender copied and pasted logo's for Walmart, Costco, Wendy's, Burger King, Lowes, Best Buy, McDonalds, Sears and Moneygram International.  The letter explains what to do with the money.  I can tell this is a scam from foriegners as the first word which is congratulation which should be congratulations (poor grammer for such a supposedly intelligent company), and then in another sentence they are asking you to contact a Mr. Paul.  Scam artists always use simple american names and always use the term Mr., Madam, Dear, etc.  Beware of Secret Shopper, Evaluator Companies that offer you hundreds or thousands of dollars.  Legitamate evaluator,  (Secret Shopper) companies only pay between $10-$20 for assignments, and it is after you turn in your reports that you are paid weeks later, and you are also given a minimum to lay out and you must get a receipt and they will refund whatever you lay out but you must send the company the receipt.  Do not cash these checks as they are not legit.  If you call the bank, they will tell you they are not real.