Mystery Shopping, Market Research, Securities, Training & Consulting Corporate Research Group (A Divison of TIAA-CREF) This company's motive was to scam me into a fake postion that would make me $500 a week for three month and then increase to $600 a week if I decided to stay with this company. Charlotte, North Carolina

Received letter dated June 14,2012 with a check for $3,998.00 that read:    This is to inform you that based on previous survey by our affiliate Consumer Survey Specialist, you indicated to be interested in an additional income on part-time basis(I didn't). You are hereby selected to participate in a paid Consumer Research Program in your area of residence as a Mystery Shopper. As one of the Research Personnel selected under this program, you will be a Consumer Service Evaluator of selected retail stores, restaurants and various establishment, making predetermined purchases and evaluating the Consumer Service level of the stores and service providers. This research program is a fully paid program and would become a permanent part-time position for a selected few who are able to distinguish themselves in the course of this program. After this training assignment, your salary will be increased to $500.00 per week for the first three months. Additional increment of $600.00 per week will follow after another three months if you choose to stay with us. Upon acceptance of this offer, you will be requested to complete a paid training within one(1) week. This self-training assignment is designed to equip you with the right tools necessary to effectively carry out your assignment as Research Personnell under this program. This assignment has been put together to be completed in two different locations. The first evaluation will take place in one of these locations: WalMart, K-Mart, Home Depot, Sears, JC Penny and Best Buy.The purpose of this assignment is to identify and compare popular products and prices. The second evaluation will take place in one of these locations: Western Union or Money Gram. The objective of this assignment will be to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the payment system called Western Union/Money Gram or any other specified Financial Institution. On the first step of your assignment, you will pose as a potential customer shopping and spending $100.00 at one of the above-named retail locations. Secondly, you will be trained in financial transaction by sending a Western Union/Money Gram to our training agents in a different location to be specified by your Assignment Co-ordinator. Enclosed are the required funds to cover you assignment.

    Below is a breakdown of the enclosed check:    1)Probationary traning pay:$450.00; 2)Funds for shopping:$100.00; 3)Service Charge by Western Union/Money Gram:$290.00; 4)Required funds to be sent:$3,158.00; Total:$3,998.00

    Please contact your Assignment Co-ordinator Lisa Rogers at 1-514-663-0033 for the Confirmation, Authorization and Activation of your check. Please fax all copies of your receipts, evaluation form and money transfer receipts to 1-866-415-1019 and ensure you call your Co-ordinator immediately. Note: Applicants must be 18 years or above. Even though this is only a training exercise for you, it should be considered a job interview. Your success will determine your future employment with us. Congratuations and good luck. Sincerely (a hand printed signature which looks like H/Richardson 6/15/12) Marvin Richardson, Manager, Human Resources. (I went to ripoffreport and saw others who posted similar stories. The bank name on the check is JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.; 6040 Tarbell Road; Syracuse, NY 13206. I found their bank's phone number online, which is 212-270-0589 and talked with an employee named Ashley to see if this check was real. She asked me for the account, routing, and check number, and it turned out to be a scam. If you get a letter like this with a check included, please beware.)