"MSPA-INC Online Research Mystery Shopper" Scam

MSPA-INC Online Research Mystery Shopper Scam

The "MSPA-INC Online Research Mystery Shopper" unsolicited email message below, which claims the recipients can earn extra money by becoming an online mystery shopper, is just one of the many phishing email messages sent by cybercriminals or online scammers to trick their potential victims into sending them their personal information. Therefore, recipients of unsolicited email messages like the one below, which ask for personal information, are asked to delete them and not follow the instructions in them.

Sample of the "MSPA-INC Online Research Mystery Shopper" Scam

From: 112as12@ca.JHU.EDU <112as12@ca.JHU.EDU>

Sent: Wednesday, January 17, 2018 7:50:35 AM

Subject: # Welcome to MSPA-INC Online Research

Hello ...

Do not reply or ignore this message, if you have ever received before .. !!

WE HAVE CUSTOMER SERVICE SURVEY ASSIGNMENTS IN YOUR AREA.

YOU WILL GET $255 USD/ASSIGNMENT, WHICH WOULD COME [IN] THE

FORM OF A MONEY ORDER FOR YOUR ASSIGNMENTS. THE JOB ENTAILS

AN EVALUATION PROCESS SUCH AS VISITING THE GAP, WAL-MART/K-MART,ETC.

FILL-OUT DETAIL INFORMATION BELOW TO GET STARTED;

> NAME: ______

> ADDRESS-LINE: ______

> C.I.T.Y: ______

> S.T.A.T.E: ______

> C.O.D.E ZIP: ______

> PHONE?: ______

> AGE/GENDER: ______

NOTE : PLEASE NOTE THAT IS A PART TIME JOB,

THANK YOU #

BEST,

RUTH Y OLIVIA

CS/APPLICATION TEAMS

Scammers steal personal information from potential victims using bogus emails like the one above. Once they are in possession of their potential victims' personal information, the scammers will contact them and attempt to scam them or sell their information to other scammers.

Victims of these scams usually blame their banks, utility companies, ISPs or even the government, claiming they sold their information to the highest bidder, when in fact they were the ones who unknowingly gave the scammers their information when they fell for their phishing scams.

This is why online users are asked to be careful of messages which ask for personal information, especially the ones that promise quick money with little or no work. Scammers use the promise of quick money and get rich schemes to help lure potential victims into their traps.

Many of the mystery shopping scams that we have come across usually send potential victims fraudulent checks (cheque) and ask them to deposit them. The scammers will then ask the potential victims to take their share of the money from the fraudulent checks and send the balance to them. But, the checks will bounce and the potential victims will be responsible for paying the cost for processing the checks and paying back the money they have sent to the scammers; they may even get arrested.

Persons who have received the same checks are asked not to deposit them and report them to the police, and those who have already done so are asked to contact their banks immediately and let them know that they may have been a victim of the online mystery shopper scam.

Related articles:

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Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.

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Comments(Total: 13)

October 13, 2020 at 7:31 AM by
"MSPA-INC Online Research Mystery Shopper" Scam
info

"From: "heymanslucs@belgacom.be" <heymanslucs@belgacom.be>

Date: October 12, 2020 at 11:40:26 PM PDT

To: "msa.help@gmx.com" <msa.help@gmx.com>

Subject: Real Work-From-Home Jobs;

Reply-To: msa.help@gmx.com

 Hi,dear

'We are (MS-PA Certified) which looking for persons to perform our job

assignment as evaluator surveys. After you sign up, you will receive

instructions and access training materials via email in your location.

It's fun and rewarding, we will pay up to $600 each assignments.

...

The job entails an Evaluations process such as visiting Wal-mart/K-mart,e.t.c.

Send below information to get started If you are still Interested Applicants are

to forward Information below:

...

REGISTER FORM

* Full Name:

* Address:

* City, state, zip-code:

* Gender, Age:

* Phone's:

Thank you for registering in our services. We will contact you

immediately as your application has been received.

Sincerely,

Brenda Atkins

MSPA Research Inc. 2020"

Here is another scam.

Delete

February 11, 2020 at 10:49 AM by
"MSPA-INC Online Research Mystery Shopper" Scam
an anonymous user from: Plainfield, New Jersey, United States

My husband got a check in the mail yesterday with the scam c**p about being a mystery shopper. Nope, not cashing it.

Delete

January 8, 2020 at 8:17 AM by
"MSPA-INC Online Research Mystery Shopper" Scam
an anonymous user from: Riyadh, Ar Riya?, Saudi Arabia

"julieasecord@star.net.uk

Mon 06/01/2020 7:07 PM

To: msn.agnt@gmx.us

Cc: a.vandenhul@star.net.uk

We are accepting candidates to work as qualitative research

contractors/agents. The position is part-time & flexible,we

pay $500 for each research completed and a minimal of 2 jobs

per week. We provide detailed,personalized assistance for

all of our agents. We focus on accuracy,objectivity,clarity.

Our agents must be able to not only collect data but report and

record that data in a legible,logical,consistent and timely manner.

If any of our agents fails to meet our high standards of quality,

that agent will be removed from the project.

Provide the following information below to continue signup,and

you will have access to training materials from us.

* Name (first/last):

* Address:

* City,State & Zip code:

* Age,gender:

* Phone:

* E-mail:

* We will contact you immediately as your application has been received.

Best regards,

MSPA Research Inc.2020"

Here is another scam.

Delete

May 31, 2019 at 9:41 AM by
"MSPA-INC Online Research Mystery Shopper" Scam
an anonymous user from: Ruse, Bulgaria

Big time SCAMMERS ... Watch OUT

Here what I received:

"From: voiceworks1@upmc.fr

Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2019 3:08 PM

To: msgroupapps@gmx.com

Cc: voiceworks1@upmc.fr

Subject: **Jobs.net - Open Position's

Hello applicants,..!

We have an important job offer for you in your location, and

We would like you to participate and complete the assignment.

Once you sign-up, you will be given access to training materials

from our team.

Should you interested, we will pay you $500/ assignment,

(at least 2 assignments a week will be assigned).

Send your detail below to continued sign up;

- Full Name: _*

- Full Address: _*

- State, City, Zip: _*

- Gender: _*

- Phone Number: _*

* Tips and training materials will be provided for free to our

shoppers.

* We will contact you immediately as your application has been

received, thanks!

Sincerely,

Natasha Amber

The MSPA Recruiting Inc.2019"

Delete

May 25, 2019 at 5:46 PM by
"MSPA-INC Online Research Mystery Shopper" Scam
info

Here is another scam:

"From: official99r@coltfrance.com <official99r@coltfrance.com>

Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2019 2:09 AM

To: msgroupapps@gmx.com

Cc: official99r@coltfrance.com

Subject: **JobService - Open applications

Dear Shoppers,

We have an important job offer for you in your location, and

We would like you to participate and complete the assignment.

Once you sign-up, you will be given access to training materials

from

our team.

Should you interested, we will pay you $500/ assignment,

(at least 2 assignments a week will be assigned).

Send your detail below to continued sign up;

- Full Name: _*

- Full Address: _*

- State, City, Zip: _*

- Gender: _*

- Phone Number: _*

* Tips and training materials will be provided for free to our

shoppers.

* We will contact you immediately as your application has been

received, thanks!

Regards,

Pammela Foster

MSPA Research 2019."

Delete

March 17, 2019 at 9:28 PM by
"MSPA-INC Online Research Mystery Shopper" Scam
info

Here is another scam:

- Original message -

From: dns-tech@club-internet.fr

Date: 3/15/19 8:48 AM (GMT-05:00)

To: open.jobs01@gmx.com

Subject: JOBS.COM - THE STEP SELECTION

HELLO CANDIDATE,

WE HAVE A CUSTOMER SERVICE SURVEY ASSIGNMENT IN YOUR LOCATION

AND WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO JOIN AND PARTICIPATE COMPLETE THE ASSIGNMENT.

REQUIREMENTS:

18 YEAR OLD OR ABOVE. NO FEES, EXPERIENCE OR INTERVIEW ARE REQUIRED.

DESCRIPTION:

YOUR JOB IS JUST COLLECTING THE PRETENDING TO BE A MYSTERIOUS BUYER IN ONE OF OUR

PARTNER STORES WALLMART OR IN OTHER BUSINESS LOCATION STORES, AND THEN COLLECTING PRIMARRY DATA.

JOB-PAY:

OUR COMPANY WILL PAY YOU (USD $500) / ASSIGNMENT.

PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION BELOW TO CONTINUED SIGNUP AND GET STARTED:

* FULL NAME :

* GENDER-AGE :

* STREET ADDS :

* CITY,STATES :

* ZIP CODE :

* PHONES :

AS SOON YOUR APPLICATION HAS BEEN ACCEPTED FOR PROCESSING.

WE WILL SEND YOU DETAILS ABOUT THE NEXT STEP.

THANKS

HEAD RECRUITMENT

MSPA SOLUTIONS INC 2019

Delete

February 11, 2019 at 9:44 AM by
"MSPA-INC Online Research Mystery Shopper" Scam
info

Received via email:

"Date: Sunday, February 10, 2019

From: TODD BAILEY <contacttoddbailey@gmail.com>

AGENT ID: SS/806/100119

Greetings,

Thank you for recent interest in becoming one of our mystery shoppers.

Congratulation you have been ACCEPTED as one of our mystery shopper’s agent and you will be evaluating some stores in your zip code area this week. Please re-confirm if you are ready to join our team of secrete shoppers at MSPA RESEARCH INC, in other for me to activate your details alongside with other members that shall begin their survey in the upcoming week. Most correspondence will be communicated to you via email and phone so ensure you check your email regularly.

If you are still interested to proceed with the opportunity to be part of our amazing team, it’s mandatory you confirm your acceptance by validating your details as shown below ensuring your mailing address is correct to avoid any delay receiving your evaluation pack in the mail; also include your phone number so we can be sure we have the correct number to contact you in the future.

DANN LITTEL

8836 ST. REGIS LANE

NEW PORT RICHEY FL 34668

4079537043

Your a**igned co-coordinator is TODD BAILEY, You will be reporting directly to him henceforth.

Regards

-

Todd Bailey

Survey Coordinator

(909) 983-3221"

Delete

January 28, 2019 at 4:29 PM by
"MSPA-INC Online Research Mystery Shopper" Scam
an anonymous user from: La Quinta, California, United States

I got one today

Delete

December 4, 2018 at 1:43 AM by
"MSPA-INC Online Research Mystery Shopper" Scam
info

Here is another scam:

- - - - -

From: Tech-08@soe.ucsc.edu <Tech-08@soe.ucsc.edu>

Sent: Monday, October 29, 2018 8:43 PM

To: msresearch01@usa.com

Cc: Tech-08@soe.ucsc.edu

Subject: # JOB SHOPPING SOLUTIONS

Welcome to the-shopping programms..

We have a customer service survey assignment in your location,

and we would like you to participate and complete the assignment.

Once you sign-up, you will be given access to training materials

from us.

Should you interested, we will pay you $499/ assignment,

(at least 2 assignments in a week will be assigned.)

Send your detail below to continued sign up;

- Full Name: _*

- Full Address: _*

- State, City, Zip: _*

- Gender: _*

- Phone Number: _*

* Tips and training materials will be provided for free to our shoppers.

* We will contact you immediately as your application has been received.

Thanks regards,

MSPA Research Inc. 2018

Delete

November 30, 2018 at 9:13 AM by
"MSPA-INC Online Research Mystery Shopper" Scam
an anonymous user from: Ventura, California, United States

Another sample of their email:

"From: the_ric08@gisborne.net.nz <the_ric08@gisborne.net.nz>

Sent: Thursday, November 29, 2018 12:43 AM

Cc: the_ric08@gisborne.net.nz

Subject: JOB VACANCY GLOBAL

HI Dear..

We have a customer service survey assignment in your location.

We would like you to join and participate complete the assignment.

Requirements:

18 year old or above. No experience, fees or interview are required.

Job-Description:

You will be assigned to visit a shop, GAP, etc.

You will then complete the on-line questionnaire to share with us your customer

experience.

Please, reply with correct information below to continued sign-up;

1. Full Names :

2. A d d r e s s :

3. City/State/Zip :

4. Gender/Ages :

5. Phone Number :

Advantage:

You will get extra paid $500 / each assignment.

Tips and training materials will be provided for free to our shoppers.

Thanks,

MSPA Research Inc. 2018"

Delete

November 3, 2018 at 11:57 AM by
"MSPA-INC Online Research Mystery Shopper" Scam
info

Here is another scam:

"From: <POSTMASTER@yale.edu>

Date: November 1, 2018 at 1:26:43 PM PDT

To: " dian.n@gmx.com" <POSTMASTER@yale.edu>

Subject: POSITION JOBS OPENING

Reply-To: <dian.n@gmx.com>

Dear...& Welcome to recruitment agent in company

We have a customer service survey assignment in your location,

and we would like you to participate and complete the assignment.

Once you sign-up, you will be given access to training materials

from us.

Send your detail below to continued sign up;

- Full Name: _*

- Full Address: _*

- State, City, Zip: _*

- Gender: _*

- Phone Number: _*

Should you interested, we will pay you $450 for each assignment,

(available 2 assignment / weeks).

* Tips and training materials will be provided for free to our shoppers.

* We will contact you immediately as your application has been received.

Thanks regards,

MSPA Research Inc. 2018"

Delete

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Online Threat Alerts Security Tips

Pay the safest way

Credit cards are the safest way to pay for online purchases because you can dispute the charges if you never get the goods or services or if the offer was misrepresented. Federal law limits your liability to $50 if someone makes unauthorized charges to your account, and most credit card issuers will remove them completely if you report the problem promptly.

Guard your personal information

In any transaction you conduct, make sure to check with your state or local consumer protection agency and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to see if the seller, charity, company, or organization is credible. Be especially wary if the entity is unfamiliar to you. Always call the number found on a website’s contact information to make sure the number legitimately belongs to the entity you are dealing with.

Be careful of the information you share

Never give out your codes, passwords or personal information, unless you are sure of who you're dealing with

Know who you’re dealing with

Crooks pretending to be from companies you do business with may call or send an email, claiming they need to verify your personal information. Don’t provide your credit card or bank account number unless you are actually paying for something and know who you are sending payment to. Your social security number should not be necessary unless you are applying for credit. Be especially suspicious if someone claiming to be from a company with whom you have an account asks for information that the business already has.

Check your accounts

Regularly check your account transactions and report any suspicious or unauthorised transactions.

Don’t believe promises of easy money

If someone claims that you can earn money with little or no work, get a loan or credit card even if you have bad credit, or make money on an investment with little or no risk, it’s probably a scam. Oftentimes, offers that seem too good to be true, actually are too good to be true.

Do not open email from people you don’t know

If you are unsure whether an email you received is legitimate, try contacting the sender directly via other means. Do not click on any links in an email unless you are sure it is safe.

Think before you click

If an email or text message looks suspicious, don’t open any attachments or click on the links.

Verify urgent requests or unsolicited emails, messages or phone calls before you respond

If you receive a message or a phone call asking for immediate action and don't know the sender, it could be a phishing message.

Be careful with links and new website addresses

Malicious website addresses may appear almost identical to legitimate sites. Scammers often use a slight variation in spelling or logo to lure you. Malicious links can also come from friends whose email has unknowingly been compromised, so be careful.

Secure your personal information

Before providing any personal information, such as your date of birth, Social Security number, account numbers, and passwords, be sure the website is secure.

Stay informed on the latest cyber threats

Keep yourself up to date on current scams by visiting this website daily.

Use Strong Passwords

Strong passwords are critical to online security.

Keep your software up to date and maintain preventative software programs

Keep all of your software applications up to date on your computers and mobile devices. Install software that provides antivirus, firewall, and email filter services.

Update the operating systems on your electronic devices

Make sure your operating systems (OSs) and applications are up to date on all of your electronic devices. Older and unpatched versions of OSs and software are the target of many hacks. Read the CISA security tip on Understanding Patches and Software Updates for more information.

What if You Got Scammed?

Stop Contact With The Scammer

Hang up the phone. Do not reply to emails, messages, or letters that the scammer sends. Do not make any more payments to the scammer. Beware of additional scammers who may contact you claiming they can help you get your lost money back.

Secure Your Finances

  • Report potentially compromised bank account, credit or debit card information to your financial institution(s) immediately. They may be able to cancel or reverse fraudulent transactions.
  • Notify the three major credit bureaus. They can add a fraud alert to warn potential credit grantors that you may be a victim of identity theft. You may also want to consider placing a free security freeze on your credit report. Doing so prevents lenders and others from accessing your credit report entirely, which will prevent them from extending credit:

Check Your Computer

If your computer was accessed or otherwise affected by a scam, check to make sure that your anti-virus is up-to-date and running and that your system is free of malware and keylogging software. You may also need to seek the help of a computer repair company. Consider utilizing the Better Business Bureau’s website to find a reputable company.

Change Your Account Passwords

Update your bank, credit card, social media, and email account passwords to try to limit further unauthorized access. Make sure to choose strong passwords when changing account passwords.

Report The Scam

Reporting helps protect others. While agencies can’t always track down perpetrators of crimes against scammers, they can utilize the information gathered to record patterns of abuse which may lead to action being taken against a company or industry.

Report your issue to the following agencies based on the nature of the scam:

  • Local Law Enforcement: Consumers are encouraged to report scams to their local police department or sheriff’s office, especially if you lost money or property or had your identity compromised.
  • Federal Trade Commission: Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at 1-877-FTC-HELP (1-877-382-4357) or use the Online Complaint Assistant to report various types of fraud, including counterfeit checks, lottery or sweepstakes scams, and more.
  • Identitytheft.gov: If someone is using your personal information, like your Social Security, credit card, or bank account number, to open new accounts, make purchases, or get a tax refund, report it at www.identitytheft.gov. This federal government site will also help you create your Identity Theft Report and a personal recovery plan based on your situation. Questions can be directed to 877-ID THEFT.

How To Recognize a Phishing Scam

Scammers use email or text messages to try to steal your passwords, account numbers, or Social Security numbers. If they get that information, they could get access to your email, bank, or other accounts. Or they could sell your information to other scammers. Scammers launch thousands of phishing attacks like these every day — and they’re often successful.

Scammers often update their tactics to keep up with the latest news or trends, but here are some common tactics used in phishing emails or text messages:

Phishing emails and text messages often tell a story to trick you into clicking on a link or opening an attachment. You might get an unexpected email or text message that looks like it’s from a company you know or trust, like a bank or a credit card or utility company. Or maybe it’s from an online payment website or app. The message could be from a scammer, who might

  • say they’ve noticed some suspicious activity or log-in attempts — they haven’t
  • claim there’s a problem with your account or your payment information — there isn’t
  • say you need to confirm some personal or financial information — you don’t
  • include an invoice you don’t recognize — it’s fake
  • want you to click on a link to make a payment — but the link has malware
  • say you’re eligible to register for a government refund — it’s a scam
  • offer a coupon for free stuff — it’s not real

About Online Threat Alerts (OTA)

Online Threat Alerts or OTA is an anti-cybercrime community that started in 2012. OTA alerts the public to cyber crimes and other web threats.

By alerting the public, we have prevented a lot of online users from getting scammed or becoming victims of cybercrimes.

With the ever-increasing number of people going online, it important to have a community like OTA that continuously alerts or protects those same people from cyber-criminals, scammers and hackers, who are every day finding new ways of carrying out their malicious activities.

Online users can help by reporting suspicious or malicious messages or websites to OTA. And, if they want to determine if a message or website is a threat or scam, they can use OTA's search engine to search for the website or parts of the message for information.

Help maintain Online Threat Alerts (OTA).

"MSPA-INC Online Research Mystery Shopper" Scam