collective research group inc.

Victim Location 15106

Type of a scam Employment

I received a message from a friend through Linkedin regarding a Secret Shopper opportunity. Since it came from my friend I thought it was legit. So I signed up. I later received a letter in the mail via USPS over night mail. It came with a letter on plain white 8×11 paper, no logo or return address. The phone number 321-804-2904 rang to a google phone account that couldn’t reach anyone. The instructions say to email them the amount on the check, bank name and date received. If they are sending the check wouldn’t they know how much it is and what bank it’s coming from…..The check amount was $1960.30.

Samuel Cook, Shopper Scheduler/Coordinator

Collective Research Group Inc.

Victim Location 22202

Total money lost $1,970

Type of a scam Fake Check/Money Order

I was contacted by an acquaintance on LinkedIn about a way to make extra money buy shopping for a research group. I filled out the application form and about 2 weeks later I was sent my first shopping assignment where I was to deposit the cashier check they sent me, keep a specific amount for myself as payment for my time, and with the rest, buy a specified amount of gift cards from a Walmart. After I purchased the cards I was to scratch off the pin on them and send the company rep pictures of the cards. A week later I found out the check they sent me bounced and the cards I purchased all had been used.

Victim Location 83642

Type of a scam Fake Check/Money Order

I was sent a message about a mystery shopper/survey from a contact on linkedin. I signed up for it thinking I would get more details or something, but they sent me a check for 1,970.10. It is a cashiers check from First Convenience Bank. It looks real, however too many things do not add up. For instance they only want me to purchase gift cards and send them pictures of the codes to the email. Other than that there is no reporting…additionally the math does not add up to what they sent a check for.