Shopping Business Solution, Confidential Evaluations Inc, Mary Thompson Assignment Coordinator Promised a Secret Shopper but gave me a bogus check to depost. Result was NSF fees. Oshawa Ontario Canada

I received a letter with the brake down of my assignment and check for $4,820 to complete a Secret Shopper Assignment. My first attempt to contact Shopping Business Solution Assignment Coordinator was on a Monday but only received a voice mail in box. The next day tried contacting them again with no luck but I left a message. The next day I filnally contacted an Assignment Coordinator. She told me to caller her back once the check cleared my account.

I deposited the check that day. It cleared the next day, so I called them back. I tried contacting them during the day. I finally reached Assignment Coordinator Mary Thompson at around 5 pm. She provided me with the actual locations except for one and persisted that the assignment had to be completed that day. I told her I could not because I thought money transfers had to be with cash and the banks were already closed. She thought I could use a debit card. She finally agreed that I could finish the assignment the next day which was a Saturday but caller when I was finished.

That evening I using my debit card to make a purchase with a sales associate at my first vendor. Upon completion I received a call from Mary Thompson with a restricted phone number. She gave me the address to the missing location. After driving away to go home, she called me back stating one money wire transfer can be done at the location of the first vendor. The next day, I planned to complete my assignments.

Saturday I went to make my first money wire transfer. After a discussion with the Service Representative and completing the apporpriate foms. I slid my debit card for payment. The card was denied. The Service Representative told me to contact my bank, because that may have a restriction of the amount of one purchase. I reached my bank and they told me I did not have the funds in my account. I left the vendors. The also told me that the check was returned. I called Mary Thompson right away. She said that she did not understand why the check was returned the money was there.

I received a "Notice of Delayed Funds Availability" from my bank for the check because the information from the paying bank indicates that the check may not be paid. I call Mary again but she was not in so I left a message. The next day I finally reached her and told her about the check. She could not understand why the check was returned. The funds were always available.

Today was the date the funds were to be available. I checked my bank account but no deposit. I called Mary Thompson but no one answered but I left a voice message. I called my bank they told me it was a fraudulant check and I was liable for any fees.

I feel real stupid for falling for this trap. The only bright spot is that I am only out fees and not the total of $4,820.

Bill
Bolingbrook, Illinois
U.S.A.