Pinecone Research Mystery Shopper Scam Covington Kentucky

I was almost scammed by a third party using Pinecone Research information. I was sent a email stating that I was chosen to participate in a secret shopper job, being that I am currently unemployed and is looking for work I took the opportunity to try it out. They asked me to send my name, address, and phone number to them, this was back in April. I had forgotten all about it until today May 22, 2013 I received a check made out to me from Pinecone Research for $1,270. There was a letter that also come with it stating that I will be doing a Customer Insights survey on Western Union.

The directions told me to cash the check and go to the nearest Western Union and send the total of $980 to a JoAnn Crossley who was also participating, who address is 900 Fairgounds Drive, Vallejo, CA. I was to keep $200 for myself and take $90 to cover transfer charges at Western Union outlet. After I did all of that I am to send then an email with the 10-digit Money Transfer Control Number that will be needed for a Darlene Pulver to complete her survey at the recipient end.

Okay, as I mentioned before I am unemployed and looking for work, so this was looking like a good opportunity to make a little cash and at the moment $200 was looking good to me and will help with a bill. So, I took the check to ACE check Cashing and that is where things take a crazy turn. They ladies there informed me that this could possibly be a scam and that the check is fake. I given them thanks because they saved me from getting in a worl of trouble. I came home and did my own reseach and sadly it was just that a scam. I am so thankful for those women at ACE for doing their job.

I just want to warn people of these type of scams and that I hope this will help people to be on the lookout.