Kroger Secret Shopper Phishing Email Scams

Is this above email information a scam?

I also got one of these.

came priority mail from karlene rodriguez, 9731 hemlick st, garden grove, ca 92840. the check is for $2950 from BB&T bank. it says purchaser 'noah andrew weis' in the memo line. issuing branch: 2774007-lexington kentucky - nicholasville r.

a letter was enclosed that read: the check you just received is for the fulfillment of your first retail survey task. kindly send me an email to confirm you received this check (michaelflores2395-gmail.com) and further instructions will be sent back to you.

I did none of that, however I received this email:
Hello,

Attached is the Instruction you are to follow.Do get your surveys done so more assignments will be sent to you.

Regards,
Michael

and here are the included instructions:
KROGER INSTRUCTIONAL MEMO
The check you just received is for the execution of your first shopping assignment so have fun, make money and help us improve customer service on a global level. The package entails a check of $2,950.00, This will cover all expenditures, including evaluation, shopping and your compensation (salary=300.00) for these surveys. You are to complete your evaluation as soon as possible.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY AND PERFORM ALL TASKS BELOW:
• Confirm the receipt of package.
• Amount Received, Your Phone number and estimation time to complete your Evaluation.
• Deposit the check with any options that your bank offer: ATM deposit, Mobile Deposit or Bank deposit. •DEDUCT YOUR PAYMENT OF $300
YOUR FIRST ASSIGNMENT
1st Assignment
You are to make a purchase of any item worth $100 from any Kroger location in your area (to be kept by you) and is now your duty to take note of the following activities at the location.
i) How long it took you to get services.
ii) Ambiance/Outlook of the Shop/Outlet iii) Customer service professionalism 2nd Assignment
EBAY GIFT CARD ASSIGNMENT (Steps to Take)
You are to evaluate any two/three POST OFFICE near you that sells EBAY GIFT CARDS .
*Pick $500 denominations or any lower denominations available.You are to purchase $1,500 at the first location and $1,050 at the 2nd location but incase they don't have enough,you can go to a 3rd location.
We are examining the availaibility of the Ebay gift cards and customer service delivery. A lot of customers have reported condition, arrangement and insufiicient of ebay gift cards in some outlets around the U.S. Our need to act is based on reports and complaints some customers forwarded anonymously to our Head office via phone calls and email. Also we want you to evaluate the stores to compare and contrast their services for further review and implementation.
AFTER PURCHASE OF CARD
1. Open the pack and peel the silver scratch-off area on the card.
2. Make sure the EBAY Cards are "ACTIVATED" before you step out of the Post office.
3. After peeling the silver scratch on the card neatly, you are to take a clear picture of cards showing the PIN CODES and ensure that the face value of the card is visible alongside.

4. Take a picture of the EBAY GIFT CARD one after another and the pictures of the RECEIPTS of all the cards.(PHONE CAMERA ACCEPTED).
5. Please do not discard the cards as they will be used for your subsequent assignments and make sure you get receipts for all the cards.
Here are the details we will need from the SURVEY
- Post office/Store Name, Address, Date and Time of visit
- Name of the cashier/Attendant {If visible on Tag}
- Did the store clerk thank you upon completion of your purchase?
- How long it took you to get check out
- Captured images of card front and back after scratched (Phone camera accepted)
Reminder: At any post office chosen for your EBAY GIFT CARDS, under no circumstances should you acknowledge that you are evaluating their services as that will deter the purpose of the whole program, so if asked if you are a secret surveyor please answer NO as stated Above. You are to send your evaluations to michaelflores2395-gmail.com.
Regards,
Kroger Evaluation Officer.
Michael Flores
Contact Email: michaelflores2395-gmail.com

how about one that says thank you your order has been accepted or approved

Please submit a copy of the email for us to review.

Hello,
I received this email scam.:

"Career Opportunities
Walgreens
Qui, 01/08/2019 06:23
Walgreens Secret Shopper

Hello!

We are looking for secret customers to rate their local Walgreens store!
Register and if you are selected, you will receive $50 for shopping at Walgreens stores and $200-400 payment per week or even higher once we verify that you are capable.
Shoppers are selected randomly every week and they will be contacted via phone or email.
No experience, fees or interview are required just send us your sincere feedback after your shopping experience.
Your review will make a difference for providing better services and products.

Start Your Application*
* If you have received this message inside your spam folder some links and other functionality might be disabled, move it to inbox folder in case you are having problems pressing 'Start Your Application'.

Copyright 2019 Walgreen Co. All rights reserved."

I also received an email to be a secret shopper for Walgreens. They said they would pay $300 for surveying three stores, and would send me a check. Same person as the lady from Georgia, MARK TUMBLER.

Received a check for $2,475.00, told to withdraw the funds, keep my $300 then use the rest to buy gift cards in the amounts of $100 each from Walgreens stores. Looked it up, called the bank the check was drawn off of, and it was FAKE.

Don't get fooled! Priority mail was sent from a Delbert Phillips, 67 Beverly Park Ct, Beverly Hills, CA, check was from a Central Bank in Fulton MO.

I just received a check for $1940, priority mail from Ryan Ward 2315 Marine Ave, Gardena, CA 90249-3724. I received an email a few days ago thanking me foe becoming a secret shopper, although never inquiring to do so. A check arrived with an assignment memo from Mark Tumbler Survey/Evaluator Consultant with instructions on where to go, what gift cards to purchase, what to keep for myself($300), and to email admin-realtimesurv.net once task is complete.

How they got my mailing address and email address is beyond me. I'm glad that I am suspicious of anything sent to me without my asking. Thank you for the above comments and felt compelled to offer my experience with as much information on these scammers as would help the next person.

Also, this check is supposedly drawn from Franklin Synergy Bank, in Franklin, TN. Beware, don't fall for this!

Still going at it, using a different server and different names. Funny tho how this server is still registered.

Domain Name: REALTIMESURV.COM
Registry Domain ID: 2360969957_DOMAIN_COM-VRSN
Registrar WHOIS Server: whois.publicdomainregistry.com

Registrar URL: www.publicdomainregistry.com
Updated Date: 2019-02-15T16:08:25Z
Creation Date: 2019-02-15T16:08:24Z
Registrar Registration Expiration Date: 2020-02-15T16:08:24Z
Registrar: PDR Ltd. d/b/a PublicDomainRegistry.com

Registry Registrant ID: Not Available From Registry
Registrant Name: Greg Sturge
Registrant Organization:
Registrant Street: 6246 w idaho st
Registrant City: milwaukee
Registrant State/Province: Wisconsin
Registrant Postal Code: 53219
Registrant Country: US
Registrant Phone: 1.8478349206

Admin Name: Greg Sturge
Admin Organization:
Admin Street: 6246 w idaho st
Admin City: milwaukee
Admin State/Province: Wisconsin
Admin Postal Code: 53219
Admin Country: US
Admin Phone: 1.8478349206

Admin Email: sturgeg-basicshop.net

By the way, even after two years -- I'm writing on 1 March 2019 -- this scummy would-be thief is still operating.
Still using "Greg Sturge" and the same language.

Are there ANY legal actions to be taken against this crook?
After all, he uses the U.S. Postal "Service" as well as Federal Express so shouldn't the USPS Postal Inspectors be interested?

Here is another scam:

"From: Kroger Research
Date: February 1, 2019 at 9:21:58 PM CST
To: Undisclosed recipients:;
Subject: Welcome on Board (Research Program)
Reply-To: Kroger Research

Attention:

Further to your interest to participate in our research project at Kroger, we are pleased to welcome you on board, setting out the details of your job. You are being appointed to the position of a market researcher.
Kindly be informed that I have been a**igned to be your supervisor throughout the project.

The rules and regulations and general information of the terms of appointment are as follows:

Your income per a**ignment is $300. The allowances, benefits and other terms and conditions of your employment will be as per company policies as applicable from time to time. If a**ignments are processed within 24 hours, you are entitled to a certain compensation.


JOB DESCRIPTION:

1} When an a**ignment is given to you, you would be provided details to execute the a**ignment and in a timely manner.

2} You will be making purchases and filing reports via email on your overall shopping experiences.You are expected to play an important role in meeting our expectations by pretending to be a regular shopper while observing and determining various factors that might require improvement.

3} Kindly use caution and restraint when making purchases so as to not go over the budget we established.

Areas often measured include:

Sales transaction and employee engagement.
Sales a**ociate appearance and cleanliness.
Brand/promotion awareness and execution.
Product or service awareness.
Product or service availability.
Sales product up-sell approach and delivery.
Testing checkout protocols.


A**IGNMENT PACKAGE:

Before any a**ignment, we would provide you with the resources needed. You'll receive a packet enclosed with payment and a**ignment instructions through USPS mail within 5 business days which will cover the shopping at Kroger store and it will also your employment remuneration which is $300 per a**ignment.

We welcome you and look forward to your contribution to this project.

Please kindly confirm receipt of this email.

Best Regards,

Greg Sturge
Survey Consultant"

Are ANY police agencies ever interested in these attempts at theft?
Since it is using the U.S.P.S., the feds should be interested. Will they be?
For example, the U.S.P.S. Postal Inspectors?
Or even the FBI?

Would it do any good to contact the local sheriff?
I've seen this type of scam before and could not get any police to take any interest, and in fact the bank where I asked about the fake check didn't want to do anything.
Thank you for any answer.
Michael M.

Yes, report it to the police.

A new variation is being used:

"Kroger Secret Customer

We have empty positions in our team as a secret customer and we would like for you to be part of it.

You can shop any products you want at your designated store.

Register and if you are selected, you will receive $100 for shopping at Kroger stores and $200-400 payment per a**ignment. Shoppers are selected randomly every week and they will be contacted via phone or email.

No experience, fees or interview are required just send us your sincere feedback after your shopping experience.
Your review will make a difference for providing better services and products.
Press 'Join Us' and then complete all of the required fields in order to register.

Join Us

The Kroger Co. and Family of Companies. All Comments © Copyright 2018 The Kroger Co. All Rights Reserved

Want to change how you receive these emails?
unsubscribe from this list."

I am so glad that I read this as I received a "check" with the instructions to cash the check and then go buy several iTunes cards - and to take photos of the cards with the numbers scratched off and the receipt - that was the first clue that this was not legit. Now I will call the credit union and let them know that their bank is being used for this scam.

Here is another scam:

---------- Messaggio originale ----------
Da: Kroger Evaluation Service
A: undisclosed-recipients:;
Data: 17 novembre 2018 alle 21.47
Oggetto: Kroger survey respondent application approved

Thank you for applying for the Kroger Evaluation Service position.
This message is to confirm that your online survey respondent application has been reviewed and approved and you will receive your first Kroger Evaluation Service package next week.
We want you to keep eye on the delivery of evaluation package. follow the instructions enclosed.

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT RECEIPT OF THIS MESSAGE.


Regards,
William Millot

I also was contacted by a "Greg Sturge" a few days ago but did cash the check and buy the cards.

Today I realized it was a scam from reading these posts. I wish I had trusted my gut that something was off since "he" gave unreasonable deadlines, and the assignment was strange, and the checks said "South Central Bank."

I have contacted my bank to see if anything can be done, and I've also contacted Apple regarding the gift card scam.


Besides filing an FTC complaint, what else can be done?


It's too bad I didn't read these posts earlier:

thank you all for posting.

I wish I would have researched this further.

I am just waiting to see that fake check bounce.

Got my bank involved, and will file a report with the police once the check gets returned.

Stupid!

Share this article with your family and friends so they are aware of this scam.

I have received this email several times and fortunately it goes straight to my spam file. I have never opened it figuring it had to be fraudulent. Thank you for your insight.

I contacted Iberia Bank and sent them pictures of the check - back and front. I hope they catch Mr. Sturge and his cohorts.

I received a text message from Greg Sturgeon saying he has been assigned my supervisor and Kroger store secret shopper.

I would receive payment and assignments by letter thru USPS on 5 business days. A confirmation email will he sent by end of business today.

I got the same text - last name Sturge, though not Sturgeon on my text- -

Never did get the email and it's been a few days - plus he doesn't respond when I text back - -

What's strange is I don't remember applying but I do secret shopping for a couple other companies and they're legit - have paid promptly for the shops every time - so I didn't catch that something was off until I Googled his name. and "Kroger Shopper scam"

Thank you for this information, by the way,

Thank you SO much for this information. I received the check in the mail today. I'm glad I found your post!

Same letter showed up today. I saw an advert on Facebook and it took me to Kroger's official website so thought it was legit.

Here is another scam:

"From: Kroger Evaluation Service
Date: November 17, 2018 at 3:25:14 PM EST
To: undisclosed-recipients:;
Subject: Kroger survey respondent application approved

Thank you for applying for the Kroger Evaluation Service position.
This message is to confirm that your online survey respondent application has been reviewed and approved and you will receive your first Kroger Evaluation Service package next week.
We want you to keep eye on the delivery of evaluation package. follow the instructions enclosed.

YOU ARE REQUIRED TO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT RECEIPT OF THIS MESSAGE.

Regards,
William Millot"

I just received a check yesterday, that I thought it was true...
Reading all this, realized it's all scam, I did give them my email, one I don't really use.

After doing this, Did anyone notice or check if they had used your personal information for anything or to produce more scams?

Thank you for clarifying.

I received the same check as the person above, a check for #1,900.37. giving me the same directions...Long story short, i took it to the bank, and told them, i want you to check this check without putting it through my account, i do not want my bank information on the check...Chase bank called me back and said it was a scam!!

so no charges for a bounced check, no account numbers given...They then had the nerve to email me back, asking if i had cashed the check..I put it right out there and asked them what kind of scam were they running...Lol...It was from mikevidmark-basicshops.Net. diane...Clarkston michigan

Still going on. Now using craigslist to recruit the innocent. Law Enforcement is overwhelmed by scams of this nature.

Received a similar letter along with a check for $1,900.37. Go to the bank and cash the check keeping $300 for myself and using the rest to buy Itune gift cards.

Peel off back of cards and take a picture of the numbers and email them to mike.vidmark-basicshop.net.

To make a long story short, it is a scam according to the bank that the check is written on. BEWARE!

got the same email and letter and check....scam.....too bad the government doesn't follow-up and prosecute these b*stards!

Assuming also a fake:

"Attention:

You recently signed up to participate in our survey project at Target as a secret shopper. We received your information and I am glad to welcome you on board. I'm assigned to be your supervisor throughout the project.

You'll receive payment enclosed with the assignment memo within 5 business days which will cover the shopping at Target store and it will also your employment remuneration which is $300 per assignment.

Due to the nature of this job, you have to be discreet about it. Please note that you are to act cool and calm throughout the period which you will be carrying out your survey in order not to defeat the purpose of the program. You will write a report about the customer service.

Our assignments are focused on the customer experience.

Areas often measured include:

Sales transaction and employee engagement.

Sales associate appearance and cleanliness.

Brand/promotion awareness and execution.

Product or service awareness.

Product or service availability.

Sales product up-sell approach and delivery.

Testing checkout protocols.

You will send your report back to us via email, questionnaire will be sent to you via email and you will have to use the following pointers to prepare your report:

1) How long it took you to shop.

2) Ambiance/outlook of the shop/outlet.

3) Smartness of the attendant.

4) Customer service professionalism.

5) Reaction of personnel under pressure.

6) Information that you think would be helpful.

7) Your comments and impressions.

You are required to reply to this email as an acknowledgement.

Thank You.

Greg Sturge

Survey Consultant

M: (608) 535-4020
E: mike.vidmark-basicshop.net"

I just received a similar one with a $1,900 check attached. Mine was signed, Best Regards Mike Vidmark Survey/Evaluator Consultant, 608-535-4020 mike.vidmark-basickshop.net

Me too. Check was for $1,900.37 sent priority mail. He wants me to cash this bogus check and use the money to buy gift cards and then send him the codes from the cards so he can redeem them.

Thanks, everyone, for sharing. I received an email from William Millot with Kroger Evaluation Service... thinking it might possibly be legit... after reading these posts, I have now deleted it. Thank you for saving me from making a big mistake!

I received the same scam. The only difference was the person said his name was name Mark Antonio .

Thank you for having this information available. We just received a letter and a check that look quite legitimate. We are to cash the check and buy iTunes cards at Kroger, Walmart and Target. And we are supposed to get $300 in compensation for doing this.

This scam is very well done, and looks more legitimate than any scam I've ever encountered before. But I'm not going to deal with any company until I can figure out if it is legitimate or not.

Obviously this isn't, so we'll just tear the check and the letter up and ignore it completely.

I did exactly the same thing, tore it up and will ignore completely. Unfortunately I gave them my cell phone number.

If they have your cell phone number, you can block them so they won't be able to call or text you, I hope that helps.

Here is another scam:

-----Original Message-----
From: Greg Sturge
Sent: Tue, Oct 9, 2018 11:54 am
Subject: Welcome on Board

Dear Tomica,

You recently signed up to participate in our survey project at Kroger as a secret shopper. We received your information and I am glad to welcome you on board. I'm assigned to be your supervisor throughout the project.
You'll receive payment enclosed with the assignment memo through USPS mail this week which will cover the shopping at Kroger store and it will also your employment remuneration which is $300 per assignment.

Due to the nature of this job, you have to be discreet about it. Please note that you are to act cool and calm throughout the period which you will be carrying out your survey in order not to defeat the purpose of the program. You will write a report about the customer service.
Our assignments are focused on the customer experience.

Areas often measured include:

Sales transaction and employee engagement.
Sales associate appearance and cleanliness.
Brand/promotion awareness and execution.
Product or service awareness.
Product or service availability.
Sales product up-sell approach and delivery.
Testing checkout protocols.

You will send your report back to us via email, questionnaire will be sent to you via email and you will have to use the following pointers to prepare your report:

1) How long it took you to shop.
2) Ambiance/outlook of the shop/outlet.
3) Smartness of the attendant.
4) Customer service professionalism.
5) Reaction of personnel under pressure.
6) Information that you think would be helpful.
7) Your comments and impressions.

You are required to reply to this email as an acknowledgement.

Thank You.

Greg Sturge
Survey Consultant
M:(608) 579-2994
E:greg.sturge-basicshop.net

I received this one too. Exact same name, e-mail and phone number.

Here is another scam:

"From: Kroger
Sent: Tuesday, October 9, 2018 9:18 AM
Subject: Job Offer

Kroger Secret Shopper

We have empty positions in our team as a secret customer and we would like for you to be part of it.

You can shop any products you want at your designated store.
Register and if you are selected, you will receive $50 for shopping at Kroger stores and $200-400 payment per assignment. Shoppers are selected randomly every week and they will be contacted via phone or email.
No experience, fees or interview are required just send us your sincere feedback after your shopping experience.
Your review will make a difference for providing better services and products.

Press 'Join Us' and then complete all of the required fields in order to register.
Join Us

The Kroger Co. and Family of Companies. All Comments © Copyright 2018 The Kroger Co. All Rights Reserved"

And another:

"Kroger Secret Customer


We have empty positions in our team as a secret customer and we would like for you to be part of it.

You can shop any products you want at your designated store.

Register and if you are selected, you will receive $50 for shopping at Kroger stores and $200-400 payment per assignment. Shoppers are selected randomly every week and they will be contacted via phone or email.

No experience, fees or interview are required just send us your sincere feedback after your shopping experience.

Your review will make a difference for providing better services and products.

Press 'Join Us' and then complete all of the required fields in order to register."

I just responded to the scam. If I destroy any check I receive, is there any other concern I need to worry about (except gullibility)?

No, just always research something that seems too good to be true.

I received an almost identical email to the above along with a sizable cashiers check. I made the proper purchases, which included $1,900 in iTunes gift cards. Before I sent any of this information to the Evaluation Desk I confirmed with my bank yesterday 9/24/18 that the funds were available.

As of today the funds are no longer in my bank account. Unfortunately, I used my credit card for the purchases since I felt uncomfortable carrying around that much cash. I'm working on getting this resolved right now, but I don't know how that will come out. Does anyone have any answers as to how to get my money back?

Thanks,
Carol.

Carol,

Similar happened to me about 15 months ago. I contacted the local police, went back to the bank (who didn't pick up that the check was fraudulent) and even went to the FBI, because I had 4 states involved.

Absolutely nothing could be done. I was out $2400.00
Susan

Open a dispute with your bank.

Here is another scam:

-----Original Message-----
From: Kroger Evaluation
Sent: Thu, Sep 20, 2018 9:37 pm
Subject: Welcome on Board

Attention:

You recently signed up to participate in our survey project at Kroger store as a secret shopper. We received your information and I am glad to welcome you on board. I'm assigned to be your supervisor throughout the project.
You'll receive payment enclosed with the assignment memo within 7 business days which will cover the shopping at Kroger store and it will also your employment remuneration which is $350 per assignment.

Due to the nature of this job, you have to be discreet about it. Please note that you are to act cool and calm throughout the period which you will be carrying out your survey in order not to defeat the purpose of the program. You will write a report about the customer service.
Our assignments are focused on the customer experience.

Areas often measured include:

Sales transaction and employee engagement.
Sales associate appearance and cleanliness.
Brand/promotion awareness and execution.
Product or service awareness.
Product or service availability.
Sales product up-sell approach and delivery.

You will send your report back to us via email, questionnaire will be sent to you via email and you will have to use the following pointers to prepare your report:

1) How long it took you to shop.
2) Ambiance/outlook of the shop/outlet.
3) Smartness of the attendant.
4) Customer service professionalism.
5) Reaction of personnel under pressure.
6) Information that you think would be helpful.
7) Your comments and impressions.

You are required to reply to this email as an acknowledgement.

Thank You.

Greg Sturge
Survey Consultant
M: (608) 490-6651
E: greg.sturge-weshop2earn.net

I received text messages last week for something I never signed up for. Then the package came with the check for 2400 $ and some instructions to deposit.

I knew it was fake have gotten these before so I tore it up and told them I turned it over to FBI and do not contact me . STOP

Here is another scam:

"From: Kroger Survey
Sent: Tuesday, September 11, 2018 8:18 PM
Subject: Welcome on Board

Attention:

You recently signed up to participate in our survey project at Kroger as a secret shopper. We received your information and I am glad to welcome you on board. I'm assigned to be your supervisor throughout the project.

You'll receive payment enclosed with the assignment memo within 10 business days which will cover the shopping at Kroger store and it will also your employment remuneration which is $300 per assignment.

Due to the nature of this job, you have to be discreet about it. Please note that you are to act cool and calm throughout the period which you will be carrying out your survey in order not to defeat the purpose of the program. You will write a report about the customer service.
Our assignments are focused on the customer experience.

Areas often measured include:

Sales transaction and employee engagement.
Sales associate appearance and cleanliness.
Brand/promotion awareness and execution.
Product or service awareness.
Product or service availability.
Sales product up-sell approach and delivery.

You will send your report back to us via email, questionnaire will be sent to you via email and you will have to use the following pointers to prepare your report:

1) How long it took you to shop.
2) Ambiance/outlook of the shop/outlet.
3) Smartness of the attendant.
4) Customer service professionalism.
5) Reaction of personnel under pressure.
6) Information that you think would be helpful.
7) Your comments and impressions.

You are required to reply to this email as an acknowledgement.

Thank You.

Greg Sturge
Survey Consultant
M: (608) 535-4020
E: gsturge-easy2-sh0p.net"