Chris and I courageously joined the ranks of crime fighters (well maybe not really courageously)! Mystery and intrigue focused our interest in the last two days. We felt inspired, uplifted, liberated, and well, like two old farts messing around in a fight for justice. Here’s what got us roped in with a gang of criminals.
Before going to California a few weeks ago, I got an email asking if I would be interested in becoming a survey shopper. According to the message, several companies had been accused of failing to give good service to customers. All I would have to do would be to complete a little shopping followed by filling out a questionnaire. It seemed like a reasonable request for which I could earn $300.00 a pop twice a week. Not bad money for an old woman with poor vision, weak hearing, loose teeth, and a teetering walk. I indicated interest and then totally forgot while in California.
When we returned home, the survey company indicated that I had been approved. Did I want to start immediately? As soon as I indicated that I was ready to snooper shop, a friend asked me to come and help her. After the second delay, my pay dropped from $300.00 to $200.00, but hey — I understood. Big business moves fast! Then came the moment of truth. I received a fake “cashier’s” check for $2,495.45. Instructions indicated that I should deposit the check into my bank account. $200.00 would pay my fee, $45.00 would handle gasoline, and the remainder was to be spent at a store of the company’s choice.
Fortunately, I asked Chris to look at the check and the directions. (It’s a good thing I married a smart man. Otherwise, I would probably be in prison by now.) Chris felt certain the check was no good and would bounce once I spent the money. By this time, I had contacted the company and informed them that I had too many fires to put out and did not have time to shop. However, out of curiosity, I asked my bank to evaluate the check.
Sure enough, the check turned out to be a fraud. The bank asked if I could also provide any correspondence. “Well, yes I can,” I responded. We left the check and delivered the paper letter giving instructions. In addition, I forwarded all of the correspondence “Laura” and I had shared. My bank was on it like a fly on tarpaper.
Now that the fraud department of my bank has taken over, I have retired from the shopping survey career as well as from a life-fighting crime. The money would have been exciting. Bouncing a $2000,00 + check would not have been much fun.