It's a fairly convincing set of documents, though. Problem is, the letter I got was mailed from Canada, the cover letter claimed to be from thejobplanet.com (itself the target of a number of complaints) in Minneapolis, and the check was drawn on a Gerson Lehrman Group (Austin, TX) account with the Bank of New York. Geographically, this is quite a mess.

Whenever someone offers you a "risk-free" opportunity that involves MoneyGram, run the other way.

It's a scam, DO NOT DEPOSIT THE CHECK, as tempting as it may be! You will be responsible for covering it after it does not clear. It was just on Dateline a week ago.

got the letter to day postmarked from Canada and a check for $3975 said call 1-888-271-3718 as soon as i received it,they say to call back after depositing it to get particulars on what to do says i get 200 if i spend 40 at Walmart and send a money gram also check is drawn on community spirit bank Alabama person on phone swore its legit and gave me name and employee #

I recieved a check today for3,975.00.  I thought this was a scam that is why I decided to check on line. Thank you all for the information and I hope no one gets caught up in this scam.

to who ever this is i know this is a scam my husband maybe spending time over it so if anyone gets a casher check don't fall for it cause your be left holding the bag to pay it back why the scammer is out having a ball but thats ok it will get cought up with them and i hope its soon so i can say that god got them back for what they did to my family

Rosanne do you still have the address from the letter in Canada. I live in buffalo, ny so I'm only 40 minutes from Canada my family and I drive up there all the time. If you do have the address please send it to my email bbarrett1023@hotmail.com

It is a scam. I fell for it and now I'm dealing with my attorney general. PLEASE EVERYONE IF YOU HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF THIS PLEASE FILE A COMPLAINT WITH YOUR POSTAL INSPECTOR. YOU CAN DO IT ONLINE. THE MORE COMPLAINTS THE POSTAL INSPECTOR GETS THE BETTER OUR CHANCES ARE FOR JUSTICE!!!!!!

I got the letter from Canada Friday. Wanted me to buy stuff at Walmart and Sears and then wire 700 to Canada, could keep the rest. I was excited but then thought it was too good to be true.  So I checked on line.  What a scam.  I live in St. Paul, would like to drive over to Mpls and check this place out.  Am going to make copies and distribute to proper authorities.

I had to contact my attorney general. And to make the situation worse the bank I deposited the check was the same bank I work for...we all need to start a class action lawsuit.

its a scam dont buy into it

so what can i do to report this I fell for it too.

please give me a call 7604705584

so how do i report them or get the money back or what do i do

Them fools got me too.  I fail for the same dam game.  Don't touch any dam thing that got Planet.com on it.  A serious a** learning experience and now I owe the dam bank.  I got the FBI investigating & the authorities in canada investigating wire fraud transfere.

Got my check today for 2875.00 from the same scam, this check said Arizona FCU, 333 N 44th St, Phoeniz, AZ 85008 with that number listed. It's a scam, just throw it away.

Opps the website is :www.secretshopper.com , to apply
Ellen

Alright. My son received the letter on 1/13/09 from thejobplanet.com,about a secret shopper opp. The company Sight on Service, Inc, IS a legit business, but, the company that generated this letter IS NOT.  I spoke with Denise who works at the legit company and she said this is a scam that has been going on for 2-3 years. She told me the postmaster,police are investigating. I told her that the woman Vanessa gives an address in  Hamilton, Canada as to where to send the Money Gram. I also called the
Bank of America,NA ,who is listed as issuer of the check and they said ,the account may be valid, but, she does not know of a valid secret shopping check issued in this manner.
By the way,Sights on Service has a A- rating on the BBB. Denise said if we want to be secret shoppers for their company,you apply on their website: www.mysteryshop.com

Addition: I just spoke with my bank and this is what they told me.
If I had attempted to deposit this check and I followed the directions on the letter sent with the check... that is to transfer the funds back to them via wallmart money gram within 48 hours of receiving the check....the bank would hold the check and lock your account for 7 business days to clear the check. When It would be returned for insufficient funds you would be held liable for the balance of the bad check. You would be out $2,875.00 if you transfered the requested funds to them.
This is not legit. Do not cash the check. Do not attempt to transfer funds to them.
Do not pass Go. Go straight to jail.

Straydog@mywebanywhere.net

I received the check on 1/13/09.
My warning for you out there is do not attempt to deposit this in a personal account. It may be that they are "spear phishing" for your account number to drain your monetary resources.
Second issue is that they suggest it be cashed within 48 hours of receiving the check. It won't clear any account with in a 48 hour business period even if you want it to.
Finally, not to denigrate the last entry from T-rex, but if you call the number and ask them if they are legit what do you expect them to say. DUH!

straydog@mywebanywhere.net

I got the same thing in the mail today and spoke with a Vanessa who claimed that it was legit.

Just goggled the address - secretshopper.com is at the address listed.

Per "Rip-off Report", Sparky from Topeka, KS said the check did not clear!

It's a scam!

Dave
dlw0613@sbcglobal.net
Cleveland, OH

Jan 10

Received same today.  I'm going to check with the BBB.

Dave
dlw0613@sbcglobal.net
Cleveland, OH

Received a check in a mailing for $2,875 with instructions to go to Wal-Mart, spend $40.00 on merchandise, purchase money-gram for return mail (containing receipt and remaining $2575 + fees) and keep $200 as salary. The Arizona Federal check will be cancelled after 48 hours.

Company supposedly hire individuals to be Customer Service Evaluators, posing to evaluate company services. The company name is Secret Shopper saying that they provide mystery shopping services through Sights on Service, Inc., 620 Mendelssohn Ave N Suite 190, Minneapolis, MN 55427-431.

The webpage is thejobplanet.com

We think its a scam - what do you think?