FYI: Secret Shopper Scam

Grande Prairie RCMP are advising the public of a scam that has been making itself known in the City of Grande Prairie. Police say that the advertisement is looking for employees,they ask for your name and address and on receiving this information send a letter with a cheque to you to cash. The scam requests the would be employee send a portion of the money back to them through Western Union. The problem however is that the cheque, and company, are both false and the would be employee is now responsible for the funds.

Police advise the public to check out any company, or business, that offers quick money and/or involves money in any aspect. To check to see if a business, or company, are legitimate contact the Better Business Bureau or Phone Busters, remember “If it sounds to good to be true, it usually is”.

If you have been involved with such a scam report the matter to the RCMP and
to PhoneBusters at info@phonebusters.com, 1-888-495-8501 or via fax at
1-888-654-9426.

PhoneBusters Background
Established in January of 1993, Phone Busters is the Canadian Anti-Fraud
Call Centre managed on a tripartite basis by the Ontario Provincial Police,
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police, (RCMP) and the Competition Bureau Canada. PhoneBusters plays a key role in educating the public about specific
fraudulent telemarketing pitches. The call centre also playa a vital role in
the collections and dissemination of victim evidence, statistics,
documentation and tape recording which are made available to outside law
enforcement agencies.

Media Contact:
Ellen Archibald, Cst.
Community Policing
RCMP Grande Prairie
Ph: 780-830-5765

File # 2010-648340