Accion research inc

Victim Location 18955

Type of a scam Employment

We were initially contacted through linked In, then they sent us a check to buy google play gift cards at various retailers and send them feedback on the customer service that was received.

Victim Location 28226

Type of a scam Employment

Received a referral from a friend on LinkedIn Messaging to be a mystery shopper.

"Hello there,sending this to just a few people.New surveyors are needed constantly by a Market Research Company who specialize in gathering critical data relating to product accessibility,product availability,customer feedback,and everything related to customer service experience improvement. They have clients like eBay,Walmart, Steam,CVS e.t.c They need freelance surveyors to help carrry out these specific research purchases and then provide feedback reports from various locations visited.You earn $350 per assignment. To participate,I xxxxxx hereby refer you to register free by clicking the link below and you would be contacted when a project comes up in your area;

https://accionresearchjobs.wufoo.com/forms/z1v4uzf91nyiqp7/"

I replied to my friend’s message asking if this was a real thing and if they already do it and received an answer "yes i do".

I was curious so I followed the link and signed up after which I received an email saying I had been shortlisted to be a surveyor. They requested that I reply saying that I confirm acceptance of the offer and I will be paid $350 per assignment. Still being curious I confirmed acceptance and was told to keep an eye out for my first assignment package to arrive via USPS with details and instructions.

I received the instructions and a check for over $2k and asked to deposit or cash the check within 24hrs. I was asked to buy ebay gift cards (10 x $200) from 3 different stores. The instructions had a typo and seemed off along with a website that had spelling mistakes. I had done a bit of research on the company Accion Research Inc and they weren’t listed on the BBB site and the google maps showed a home as their headquarters.

I’m not doing anything with the check but wanted to stop others from a potential scam.