Imperial Marketing Research This is an updat on IMR. Luckily I checked this site before I did anything! New York, New York

I've gotten two checks lately from the same kinds of companies.  I've gone online to check for a scam and found several other entries about Imperial Marketing Research, dated 2008, so I thought I would update to inform any poor soul who might be thinking about doing this that they are still trying this scam, just slightly differently. 

I know, it's hard to resist "free money" but that is the method they use to hook you.

Their letter is pretty professional looking and their check is actually from IMR and it's for $2,124.  The detailed directions state that I am to make a call to an Account Manager in order to "activate" the check.  Then I can deposit it in my account and obviously withdraw the cash to do the job.

I will be paid $350 to do two evaluations, one at Western Union where I need to send $1,704 to someone and note the quality of the service provided.  I can also spend $70 to shop at several stores including Walmart, Walgreens, K-Mart, Costco, Best Buy, Home Depot or Office Depot.  I am supposed to survey their customer service as well.

So, this is just like what they have been doing for several years, now with a slightly different format and more sophistication.  Don't fall for it!

I am taking this and the other company's check and letters to my bank to have them checked out.
The other company is called NPD Research and they actually have a web site, but I haven't bothered to check it out yet.