Society CB Group Consumer Survey Specialists Too good to be true? YES! Fake mystery shopper job offer... Minneapolis, Minnesota

I received an official looking check for $1,994.40 and a letter stating that I had been accepted as a mystery shopper. The check was drawn on United Bank. It had my full name and address on it. At the top of the letter it said 'Powered by: Dannon, Ikea, Western Union Walmart', with official looking logos.

The letter instructed me to go online to activate the check. The website tells you nothing, it's only a login screen, which 'activates' the check. The letter said after activation I should deposit the check in my account, then login to find out my assignment. In general, I was to deduct my pay, purchase an object or service to evaluate, and report back. I suspect I would have been instructed to purchase some small item, and send the bulk of the money to someone else, probably out of the country.

I noted that the address on Dolley Madison (spelling of Dolley suspect!) was in McLean, VA in the letter, but in Minneapolis, MN on the check. Neither Society CB Group nor Consumer Survey Specialists is listed with the Better Business Bureau.

There is a United Bank, but it's likely they are not involved, just being used like the companies listed above. If this is a scam to get money out of the country, the account and check must be real - but illegal. Possibly the routing number is correct, so that the check appears to go through, but will be returned as NSF or invalid account number, and I'd be stuck with the fees.

If it seems to good to be true, it probably is. I'm glad I decided to check it out before I logged into their site.