Mystery Shopper scam costs Aptos resident $2,930 PDF Print E-mail
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Sunday, 15 November 2009 00:00

When Tracy received a letter from Dynamic Advantage of Burbank, California, she saw no reason to question the information provided by the sender. The letter claimed to be in the business of hiring people to participate in evaluating the services of local businesses, and the letter included a check made out to Tracy for $2,930.00.

The letter stated that Dynamic Advantage was listed with the Better Business Bureau and described the job and the payment that Tracy would receive. The letter said, in part, ...you will be under cover and visit selected businesses in your area and pretend to be an average shopper... It further states that she will be paid $300 per week for each assignment and that amount would increase to $600 per week after six months. The first assignment was to be evaluating Western Union or Moneygram.

Tracy had worked for a retail store in the past and had an occasion to hire mystery shoppers to evaluate their customer service. For that reason she did not question the validity of the letter or of the check that she received.

Tracy called a Melissa Cole at the 800 number that was provided in the letter and was told to deposit the check in her bank and to withdraw $2,550 in five days when the bank hold was released. Melissa advised her not to tell the bank that she was a Mystery Shopper.

Tracy followed the instructions, including the instruction to withdraw $2, 550 in cash and send the cash via Western Union to a person named Wendy Hernandez in New Jersey. She did so, but next she received notices from her bank that her account was overdrawn because the check she had deposited was irregular. The bank has requested that she pay back the money that she withdrew.

Reports were made to law enforcement, but it is unlikely that the perpetrators of this scam will be caught. The District Attorney’s Consumer Affairs office sent a letter to Dynamic Advantage with Tracy’s complaint and information. The company wrote back that they were victims of identity fraud, because unknown criminals had stolen information from their website and their graphics in order to perpetrate this scam.

County residents are advised:

  • Do not send cash by wire transfer to a stranger.
  • Beware of any employment offer that asks you to send money up front.
  • Check out too good to be true offers with Consumer Affairs or any law enforcement office.
Robin Gysin, Consumer Affairs Coordinator Santa Cruz District Attorney’s Office: (831) 454-2050
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Last Updated ( Friday, 13 November 2009 00:33 )
 

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Leo (July 23-Aug. 23)

07-leoVenus is powerfully placed in your sign at the start of this month, and brings to you people and experiences that are pleasurable and fun. Romance is on the agenda too, whether you are single or otherwise, since this can reinvigorate what was becoming a little jaded. But there are other important influences too, particularly around your ideas and thoughts for travel and exploration. The adventurous spirit that inspires you may make you a little dissatisfied with your lot, and you seek other opportunities that may take you out of your comfort zone. Wait till after the 23rd for important decisions.

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Virgo (Aug. 24-Sep. 22)

08-virgoAlthough Saturn is back briefly in your sign again, this is not going to stop you or hinder you in any way. mars here ensures that you have the power and energy to push forward and be assertive as necessary which you fine you have to be currently. It's not that you are going against the flow, but you do feel you are being tested at times. Around the 11th, there are important developments regarding an organization that you are involved in and there could be something in it for you. In the last week, find some space for a little bit of rest and relaxation.

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Libra (Sep. 23-Oct. 23)

09-libraLater this month, Saturn enters your sign again and you have learned lessons from the past, and now you are ready to put them into practice. In a professional sense, July is full of promise and hope and you are able to make the most of this particularly after the 10th, when Venus moves into Virgo. At this point, you are influential in an understated way and your creativity and imagination are enhanced. Use this time for preparation and for developing ideas. A change and challenge regarding your relationship can upset the apple cart but bring deeper understanding if you ride the storm.

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Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22)

10-scorpioAn important eclipse occurs in your chart area of long term relationships around the 11th. Whether you have been building up to this point and see this as a final chapter to what you have experienced before depends on where you are now. For some, it can bring about a fated meeting of minds and hearts. Meanwhile, you could be offered something completely different on the work front, and you are okay with the idea of using a bad situation to create the beginnings of something fantastic. Not many people can take to this like you can. Play to your strengths.

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Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21)

11-sagittariusYour ruler, Jupiter, turns retrograde this month and even though you may have experienced the power and upheaval of the links between this planet and Uranus, still you can now have something of a respite. As it is, you are driven by discovering what is best for you and yours in the face of life changing events. Indeed, you may be considering following your heart at the expense of your finances for a once in a lifetime experience. This can cause a stir and there will be those who urge you to play safe. But you have other ideas!

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Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 20)

12-capricornIf you are in a relationship, what you and your other half decide this month can set the tone for several months to come. Unusual circumstances require a leap of faith and you are not the kind of person that will stay down if you're knocked down. This is one of those times, that, whatever happens, you can see that not everything can be planned for and as such it's time to accept what is. By doing this, you will see that in time you wouldn't have chosen it any other way. Meanwhile, this can be a fabulously romantic time and deepen what you already have with a loved one.

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Aquarius (Jan 21-Feb. 18)

01-aquariusWhen the forces of erratic Uranus combine with might Jupiter in the fiery sign of Aries, then this is one of those times where powerful change is something that you need to adapt to and use all your inventive skills to turn the situation you are in to your advantage. You actually feel more confident and sure of yourself as you can combine new ideas with old ways of developing them. You will need to do plenty of research and talk to those who have knowledge that you seek, but you are enjoying the journey and the people you meet on the way.

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Pisces (Feb. 19-Mar. 20)

02-piscesThis month is harmonious for you since the position of the Sun is illuminating your chart area of enjoyment, creativity and pleasure, and to a certain extent, risk taking. Allow your curiosity to open doors and take you to new places that are so far undiscovered. Enjoy an experience for the first time and try something new without the fear of failure and looking stupid. Master a craft which is new to you. All these things are possible this month which restores your enthusiasm and joy. Others benefit form the new radiant you.

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Aries (March 21-April 20)

03-ariesWith the Sun in your chart area of domestic bliss, you have something of a nesting instinct at the moment, and consequently you are looking to create the perfect cosy space to view the world from. This is necessary since there are other major changes going on in your life at the moment, and at times of change there is a combination of fear and excitement. You know that you have to follow through and be positive as there is a reason for everything. After the 23rd life is much more in your favour and you can see what an impression you are making!

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Taurus (April 21-May 21)

04-taurusWhile you can stand back and see the amazing situations that are going on around you, you feel that someone needs to take note and tell the stories later. This could be you. Gather information, knowledge and wisdom throughout July and make the most of opportunities to travel both for business and pleasure. Some Taurus people could be going on courses to increases chances of employment and self employment. Shift is happening and you are part of it. But you add a stabilizing factor to the extremes of experience for everyone.

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Gemini (May 22-June 21)

05-geminiAt the start of the month, you need to reconcile the differences concerning your finances. New employment opportunities are likely, or more accurately, additional opportunities. There is not much let up as the pace is frantic and and eclipse in this part of your chart can shift your circumstances somewhat. Still, you love a challenge and feel particularly switched on this month. It's back to scattering yourself to thin again and you need to focus. Only you can make the decision about how exactly to do this.

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Cancer (June 22-July 22)

 

06-cancerThis time of year is when you feel most empowered and energized as the Sun is in your sign, at least until the 23rd. Mercury is here as well, giving you the ability to assimilate a mine of information as well as creating the circumstances for some hard core networking and socializing. This is not the time to be a shrinking violet! Be aware of important changes going on at work which you may or may not welcome, but it's vital to adopt and see this as a stepping stone to somewhere you hadn't considered before. Make a note of the 11th as a kind of turning point.

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