Consumer Satisfaction Services, Inc. James Andserson, Secret Shoppers Offer for Secret Shopper, Promised $300 for Wal-Mart Survey Harrisburg, PA PA

I had done a survey recently offering me to be a secret shopper. I had done surveys through this service before, so I said why not. The survey offered $300 to go to a local Wal-Mart and act as a secret shopper. The survey said something to the effect of, if I was chosen, I would be contacted soon, etc.. A few days later, I hadn't received anything email wise, but when I got home, I had two USPS Priority Mail Express flat rate envelopes waiting for me. I opened them up, and in each one was a letter, as well as a check for $1,570.00. This surprised me, as I wasn't expecting a check, let alone one for $1,570, let alone two of them!

I started reading the letter, and noticed it was from Consumer Satisfaction Services, Inc, and realized this was in regards to the Secret Shopper thing I was surveyed about (it even has a Secret Shoppers (TM) logo above the heading). Once I started going through everything (and seeing the report on here), I figured something was up.

One thing I noticed right away was that the printer the letter was printed on either needs new toner/ink, or needs the heads cleaned, because there are spots on the letter where there are streaks absent of ink. I would hope a professional service would take care of that, but who knows.

Like in the report already posted here, the heading has an incomplete address, only showing the city, state, and zip code, so there's no street name/number. The copyright notice has seemingly been corrected though, so it now says 2007-2015. Essentially, the letter explains how I've been selected to be a secret shopper. I am supposed to go to any Wal-Mart location to complete it. I first have to go to my bank and "redeem" the check, and immediately deduct $300 from the amount (for my services). Apparently, I'm then supposed to go to Wal-Mart, and then buy "any item not more than $45", which I can then keep for my personal use. The reason for this is they just want accurate information on your experience at the store. Cashing an unknown check asside, that wouldn't be a big deal (like, if they sent me $45 in cash to use, as well as maybe a $300 check for myself, it might not be as shady). 

The issue then comes when they instruct me to then go to the MoneyGram stand in the Wal-Mart store, by "patronizing their service using [their] feedback mechanism". I am supposed to send funds through their service in order for me to take their survey(???). They explain I am supposed to make a transfer of $1,200.00, and with a transfer fee of $25, the total transfer amount will be $1,225.00. So, although explained oddly at times, I guess I can cash the check, keep $300, take the rest, peel off another $45 and spend it at Wal-Mart, and then transfer the rest. 

I am told I will make the transfer to their Feedback Dept., and the information it gives me is as follows: Receiver's Name: Koffi Clemens, Address: 131 Laurel St., Lake Jackson, TX, 77566. 

Below that information, I am informed I should be taking note of the following activities at the store:

1)The name of the cashier/Attendant, 2)Customer Service standard, 3)Time in and time out of the store, 4)Efficiency of the store clerks, 5)Demeanor of cashier, pleasantness and manners, 6)Neatness of the store. 

The letter explains how this information will be my "guild line" to fill the survey form. They also say I should confirm with them my survey info., including the Wal-Mart receipt number and Money Gram reference number, via "email E-mail:". The email they list is Survey@consumersatisfactioninc.com, and on top of that, they say I can text them as well once I finish thye survey. 

They finally say I should check my email for the survey form, and I should do this all within 48 hours of getting my survey kit. 

The letter signs off, "We are counting on you.", and below that it says:

Head of Operation

James Anderson

(805) 399-0498

Consumer Satisfaction Services, Inc.

So, this thing looks shady as *********. The thing reeks of a scam, and they're not helping matters with terrible grammar and typos galore. On top of that, notice how I originally mentioned I received two of these envelopes? Yeah, the dumb idiots sent me one with my name on the check, as well as another with somebody elses name (Just be glad it didn't actually make it to you, Jesus!). Thanks to receivining two of these, I noticed the Representative ID# it lists at the top is exactly the same on each letter (REP. ID#6838278R). If anything else didn't set off alarms, that definitely should. 

Also, if you google search "consumer satisfaction services inc.", one of the results should be for the website, http://www.css-pa.org/. If somebody was super quick researching before doing this, they might think this legitimizes this thing, but there's a few issues with that. First of all, if you actually read the website, you'll notice that it has nothing to do with Secret Shopper stuff. The website is actually for "provides consumers a greater voice and an integral role in evaluating the effectiveness of their behavioral health care through fair and balanced research into consumer needs and perception of quality", which again, a quick glance might seem similar, but you'll notice nobody goes to WAL-MART for behavioral health services.

You might think that means this website has nothing to do with this secret shopper scam, but unfortunately, I think the css-pa.org website might be a victim themselves. If you go to their contact page, you'll notice the address sounds a bit familar, and that's because their city, state, and zip code is the same one in the letter. The problem is, the letter doesn't list a street name or number. However, on the shipping label on the envelopes, part of the full address can be seen.  

It's unfortunately mostly cut off (either USPS needs to fix their s**t, or maybe this isn't even a real USPS shipping label), but jthere are still enough characters there to guess what it says:

mes Anderson

5 Linglestown Rd

risburg PA 17112

I'm assuming the full address is probably supposed to read 4775 Linglestown Rd., which is the same as the one listed on the css-pa.org website. I'm assuming whoever is running the secret shopper shady business just swiped their address to use. Also, remember the address for Koffi Clemens above? Yeah, it's just a house address in Texas in the middle of a neighborhood. Real professional...

Also, I just received (around 5pm) a text message from (267) 825-7138, asking if I received my survey kit, with some terrible grammar that matches the letter that was sent to me.

As far as the checks go, I'm not knowledgable enough to really talk about if it's real or not. They certainly look and feel real enough,  The center logo on the check is for Discovery Federal Credit Union. The check numbers are 199263 and 199264. The signature on the check looks like it's from an Edin(possibly, not sure on the first name) J.(or possibly L.) Williams. 

Anyways, hope this information helps others to not fall for it. It sure would be nice to have another $300 lying around, buit this is definitely NOT the way to get it, haha.