Tag: Chris Jordan

We would like to remind consumers about the fake check scams that have been attached to the mystery shopping industry for the past couple of years.

In this post, we are combining all the information and revelations from the past few months. Many consumers have received checks in the mail along with a letter on official-looking Confero letterhead. These checks are fake. The scam artists take the names of reputable companies in an attempt to fool unsuspecting consumers into cashing these fake checks. Always remember:

• Confero does not send checks to shoppers as payment to shoppers.
• Confero does not issue certified checks for shoppers to use during mystery shops.
• Confero does not shop Western Union or Moneygram.

• As the Fakecheck.org website states, “There is no legitimate reason why anyone would give you a check or money order and ask you to wire money in return.”

In recent months, the scam artists have also started to pose as Confero schedulers. The following names have been used by scammers: Melissa Cole, Timothy Reeds, Robert Preston, Michael Thomforde, James Clayton, Paula Moore, Carlos Burnett, Chris Jordan, Alexander Hopkins, Mark Dwane, Kevin Jones, Melissa Hillman, Jimmy Bruce, Michael Hislap, Ashley Coleman and Dwayne Fox. It is inevitable that the scammers will continue to change names, so please remember, any check sent to you by anyone claiming to represent Confero is a scam. None of these persons work for Confero, Inc. These are made-up names used in official looking email messages or regular postal mail.

Often times these scammers will use email addresses from public domains such as yahoo, gmail, msn or aol. Legitimate Confero staff members will only contact you via their @conferoinc.com email address.

Update: 12/14/09

Please add the names Jimmy Bruce to the list of fake Confero employees.

As discussed in earlier posts, we have received requests from would-be mystery shoppers asking that we validate the employment of Robert Preston, Michael Thomforde, James Clayton, Paula Moore, Carlos Burnett, Chris Jordan, Alexander Hopkins, Mark Dwane, Kevin Jones, Melissa Hillman and now Jimmy Bruce. None of these persons work for Confero.

As discussed in earlier posts, we have received requests from would-be mystery shoppers asking that we validate the employment of Robert Preston, Micheal Thomforde, James Clayton, Paula Moore, Carlos Burnett, Chris Jordan and now Alexander Hopkins. None of these persons work for Confero. These are made-up names used in official-looking email messages from people trying to scam unsuspecting consumers. Sometimes, the scam emails have been spoofed to look like the message is from Confero and to hide the true origin of the email. Other times, the sender simply pastes the Confero name or website into his or her email message. Either way, these scammers are attempting to fool consumers into thinking they are dealing with Confero.

Persons interested in legitimate mystery shopping may visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) website for information about ethical, legitimate mystery shopping companies. Confero is a member of the MSPA. To register your interest to mystery shop for Confero,please visit the Shoppers’ Center tab above for complete details.

If you have fallen victim to this scam, or if you have been contacted by any of these scammers, please file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).. The FTC also offers information about mystery shopping and the Mystery Shopping Providers Association at
this link.

Check out the BBB video about three (3) common fake check scams.

What can consumers do to steer clear of this?

We have recently received requests asking that we validate the employment of Robert Preston, Micheal Thomforde, James Clayton, Paula Moore, Carlos Burnett and now Chris Jordan.

None of these persons work for Confero. This is a scam.

They are offering the chance to perform Western Union shops where shoppers receive money orders in excess of $800. The shopper is then asked to try to send the check to someone, while retaining $200 for their time involved in conducting the shop and answering a survey. The money orders prove to be forged and the shopper is personally responsible for covering the amount of the checks. Previously, they had sent emails from Gmail or hotmail accounts. More recently, they have begun to send emails that appear to be from Confero using frontdesk@conferoinc.com or info@conferoemployment.us in the From line of the email. When shoppers attempt to reply, a Gmail address appears.

Please do not give any personal information to anyone via email. You may register through a secure server on our website if you wish to become a shopper with Confero. Please forward any correspondence you receive from anyone claiming to be a recruiter with Confero to us at info@conferoinc.com. Thank you for assisting us as we try to identify and stop these people. This scam is being run using the good names of multiple mystery shopping companies. Almost all of the emails share a similar format.

Confero is a Charter member of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA), which urges consumers who receive these offers to file a report by contacting the following: