Brief: Mystery Shopper Scam Mimics Mendota Heights Business

Cotterweb Enterprises, Inc. in Mendota Heights has earned an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). But their established name in the field of online market research studies, product trials and secret shopping services is being exploited by fraudsters, according to a press release from the BBB.

In a “red alert” issued Wednesday, the BBB says another Minnesota-based company, called “CotterWeb Market Research Inc,” is running a secret shopper scam.

The scam goes like this: “CotterWeb Market Research Inc” sends an unsolicited letter saying the recipient has been selected for a secret shopper position. The letter is accompanied by a sizeable check. As the shopper’s first assignment, they are encouraged to shop at retail stores, where they are told they can keep the merchandise. They are then told to evaluate Western Union by sending “a significant portion” of the check to an address provided by the company.

 The checks are fake, leaving shoppers out the money spent on purchases and on the hook for any money wired by Western Union.

“Although there are firms that employ people as mystery shoppers, this is not how legitimate mystery shopping firms operate,” states the BBB’s alert.

Also this week, consumers have reported receiving similar letters with checks enclosed from  “RS Consulting Group,” which claims to be based out of downtown St. Paul. Another consumer from Georgia contacted the BBB to report a company called Viewpoint, Inc, made them a similar offer, complete with a $1,900 check. The letter had a Madrid, Spain postmark, but listed a P.O. box in Minneapolis as the company's address.

To avoid falling for mystery shopping scams, consumers should: 
-Be suspicious of checks sent unsolicited.
-Check the company’s report on www.bbb.org.
-Remember that legitimate job officers don’t involve upfront payments or wiring money.

Source: www.BBB.org