Tag: consumer alert

Confero Consumer Protection Alert:  Scammer using Confero name asks Consumers to Cash Fake Checks Confero was informed today of another scammer who is using the Confero name to try to lure consumers into cashing fake checks and then later sending money back to them. The email below shows the fake request. Please notice that the […]

Confero Consumer Protection Alert – Scammer Impersonating Confero Employee – Please be aware! Confero received information recently on a scammer who is using the Confero name to try to trick consumers. The scammer initiated contact through FaceBook. This person claims to be an employee of Confero and sends emails/texts to consumers offering fake mystery shopping […]

Confero Consumer Protection Alert – Warning About Mystery Shopping Scam Using the Name Diane Holley We would like to remind consumers about the fake check scams where the scammer claims to be an employee of a reputable mystery shopping company.  They ask the recipient to cash the check as part of a fake mystery shop […]

Confero warned consumers about a new e-mail scam on Friday, August 19^th.  Today, a consumer sent us a copy of the response he received when he responded to the scam. 

These scammers have used the name of Confero’s President and CEO, Elaine Buxton, and created a fake email address.  Remember, Confero never asks shoppers to sign up by sending personal information via email. Mystery shoppers register their interest on our secure website by visiting www.conferoinc.com and clicking on Shopper Center (upper right) to arrive at our secure website.

If you think someone is trying to scam you, please read our “How to Spot a Scam” article to find out what you should do!

Fake email from a scammer:

From: Elaine Buxton [mailto:e.buxton@aol.com]

Sent: Saturday, August 20, 2011 6:03 PM

To:

Subject: Re: Career opportunity inside

The training consists in three evaluations. You will receive a commission of $120 for each survey.

Being accepted for the training doesn't mean you're already hired, it all depends on the quality of your reports. After the training period you will receive all the needed documents to fill and sign including the tax form, and from that point you will receive assignments on regular basis. The maximum is one assignment per day, seven per week. You will have to let us know your optimal times available. During your one week training period, the first set of surveys you have to do is at a few western union locations in your area, within 10 miles from your zip code, you will receive the exact address and instructions at the right time. The task is to go there as a customer and tell them you want to use their transfer services. The funds will be received by another Mystery Shopper who is also making an evaluation. You have to be very natural but at the same time focus on small details as we need a comprehensive report from you.

Unfortunately, scam artists have targeted unsuspecting consumers under the disguise of mystery shopping companies for several years now.  Recently, there have been a couple of news stories involving a few of these scams.  Last year, the wire transfer company, MoneyGram had to pay $18 million to settle charges with the Federal Trade Commission because it was found that “MoneyGram agents helped fraudulent telemarketers and other con artists who tricked U.S. consumers into wiring more than $84 million within the United States and to Canada.”  Also, in early April of this year, a man was sentenced to six years in prison for running a $6 million job scam.