Mystery Shoppers Inc. This is a SCAM, SCAM, SCAM New York New York

I received a check in the mail today in an envelope with no return address and a Canadian postmark. When I opened it, out fell a cashier's check for $3600 and a letter of employment to be a mystery shopper. Now I have heard of mystery shoppers and even applied to be one (many, many, many moons ago) so I thought I would check into it.

I contacted the phone number at the top of the form... someone with a strong accent (maybe Nigerian) answered the phone and quickly gave the name of some company. I asked him to clarify what he said and he replied Mystery Shoppers Inc. I listened to the background noise and there was no other voices or sounds, but a strange echo. Basically, he wasn't at an office, he was at home. I asked him why I received this letter.

He stated that a few days ago, or maybe a month ago, I applied for a part-time job on the internet. I asked him the address of the company and he told me it was on the letter I received. I asked again and he quickly spit out the address. I asked him what I was supposed to do with the check and he told me to read the letter. I said that I was asking him what to do. He basically said to follow the instructions on the letter and deposit the check and begin shopping. I asked him what if I don't have a bank account, can I just go to Wachovia and cash the check. He said I would have to open up a bank account. That is when I hung up.

I went online to ripoffreport.com and lo and behold, here is the exact same scam. How did I know that? People, please be aware that they are getting more and more advanced, this check looks real (I used to work in banking for 5 years) and the letter looks real. The give aways are that there is no email or web address to reference, the envelope came from Canada.

Marisa
Long Beach, California
U.S.A.