Scam Warning

Scam Overview

There is no legitimate reason someone you do not know would send you an unsolicited check to purchase goods.

There is no legitimate reason someone you do not know would send you an unsolicited check as payment before a service is completed.

There is no legitimate reason someone you do not know would send you a check as payment for more than they owe you, and then ask you to send back the difference.

These scenarios are 100% a scam, every single time.

Scam Awareness

We are aware that scammers periodically impersonate our company (as they do many similar companies).

We always appreciate when someone brings it to our attention, and has the forethought to contact us about any offer that might seem suspicious.

If you identify received materials as fraudulent, we recommend destroying them and ceasing all contact with the person(s) who provided them.

Please review the scam warning information and materials below to know how to identify potential scams.

For additional scam information from the Mystery Shopping Professionals Association (MSPA), please click here.

Contact Methods

Email

Official email from Customer Impact will only come from the “@customerimpactinfo.com” email domain.

We do not use Gmail or any other email service providers to communicate with our field representatives.

Mail

We will never send you unsolicited mail, and we will never mail you a check prior to conducting a project. If you apply for and are accepted for a project requiring materials, then you will receive communication from a CI employee that includes tracking information for the materials being shipped.

LinkedIn

We will never send you unsolicited messages through the LinkedIn platform. This contact method is usually from someone you may know or are connected with on LinkedIn. Someone gains unauthorized access to their account and sends you unwanted solicitations.

Text Message

We never conduct any initial contact through text messaging. We encourage you to report any unsolicited text message contact to your telecommunications provider and block the number from further unwanted communication.

Imposter Websites

Fraudsters have also created false representations of our website, claiming to be us. The URL will be slightly modified, as in the example below. These websites contain fake applications in an effort to source personal information and potentially scam applicants. We encourage you to report any impersonation websites.

Fake Applications

Our application process is conducted through SASSIE systems, which is a trusted and secure database. We do not conduct registration by any other means (Microsoft Forms, etc.) We encourage you to report any unsolicited registration forms. Please see an example below.

Retail Application

Thank you once more for your interest and willingness to work with us {Customer Impact Consumer Research Group}. We are a result-oriented Development and Management Consulting firm involved in helping 169 Companies world wide to achieve market leadership and Improve connections between professional service firms and their client organization.

Our company is currently in search of “RETAIL EVALUATOR’S SERVICE” in your area. The job entails store evaluate and comment on customer service impact in your local communities by helping stores, restaurants, and banks become better places for consumers like you to visit.

A mystery shopping assignment involves independent contractors posing as “shoppers”. You will be paid to visit their local brands as a regular customer would, and report back on various aspects of their experience. . If your performance is satisfied with the organization means your point will be graded and salary increases to 15 percent.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
1, Assignments are to be completed quickly as possible, but flexible.

2, You need to be friendly, reliable, have a good attitude, Effective time management skills, a self-starter and pro-active.

3, You will be able to multitask and be able to work as a team.

COMPENSATION/SALARY BASE: As a ‘RETAIL EVALUATOR’S SERVICE’, you’ll get paid to eat and shop for free at your favorite brands. Each survey takes a maximum of 30-45 Minutes to complete and you’ll be paid $350/400 for every survey completed, No Sales Involved and No Experienced required, I promise you, this will not inconvenience your present job.

The company will furnish you with all expenses needed for the assignment and any other expense incurred during the course of executing your assignment. If you are not seeking additional opportunities at this time we understand. We are also open to any referrals that you may have.

To ensure proper consideration, please fill in the information below as completely and accurately as possible. Come join our team. You’re going to like it here!

Payment

Customer Impact never pays in advance, and we never pay with checks — only through Direct Deposit & PayPal.

If you receive an unsolicited check in the mail, we suggests that you shred the check and ignore the project.

If you have already deposited an unsolicited check, contact your financial institution IMMEDIATELY and alert them to the situation.

Registration

When you register to be a shopper or field representative with Customer Impact, your account profile and shopper history is maintained via a secure platform. You can access this system at any time to view your shop log and account information. Email correspondence from us will never include this information.

Learn more about becoming a Shopper or Retail Merchandising Representative.

Notes About Scam Examples

In the scam examples below, please note the following:

  1. They are not sent from a “@customerimpactinfo.com” domain (notice they use gmail and others).
  2. We will never mail a check. Customer Impact only pays via PayPal or Direct Deposit.
  3. We will never submit payment before the work is completed.
  4. Note the spelling and general sentence structure in the communications.

Sign Up

Customer Impact is a reputable mystery shopping and retail service provider. We would love to have you as a member of our field team.

Click here to sign up.

Once registered, you will be able to view our job board and apply for any jobs in your area.

Scam Examples

Email Scam Example #1

Subject: YOUR FIRST ASSIGNMENT PAYMENT/INSTRUCTION UPDATE

Dear _______,

You will receive a payment today for your first secret shopper assignment via  FedEx postal service. The tracking number for the package is ************  you can track it at www.fedex.com.. You are kindly advise to deposit the payment once you receive it.it will clear immediately or probably take 24hrs to clear in your back**You are advice to run a survey on two prominent Companies in your area, which is Wal-Mart & CVS,7ELEVEN,RITE AID,WALGREEN OR any STORE. 1. you are to deduct $400 for your commission from the total payment received, after completion of first assignment… Attached is the Final update & instructions on how to complete your first assignment.

Regards,
Scott Hiller
Customer Impact

Text Messages:

Materials Received:

Text Message Scam Example:

Link to Scam Form from Text:

Email Scam Example #2

From: customerimpact.recruiting@gmail.com
Subject: Congratulations Read & Kindly Reply Back.

Dear _________,

I received your information in good time and i like to congratulate you as a member of our working team. As a mystery shopper you are responsible for gathering information, giving ideas, and improving brand standards of products and services. You have been selected to conduct an all expenses paid survey and evaluation in your area. As our mystery shopper posing as a normal customer, you are expected to perform specific tasks such as purchasing a product or using a service. While there, you will secretly evaluate things like customer service, store cleanliness  and quality of service rendered. You would have to keep a comprehensive report on every activity you carry out. Some of the simple questions in your shopper’s report will be:

  • Were the employees friendly and courteous?
  • Did you receive prompt service?
  • Was the merchandise displayed neatly?
  • Would you return to this store / restaurant?
  • Was it easy to use the service?

That’s all to it! The answers to these kinds of questions are extremely valuable to any business – and they are willing to pay top dollar to find out what consumers really think. You will be providing important information that will be used to improve the quality of businesses everywhere.

Where will I be mystery shopping?

The companies we deal with mostly represent large chain stores and popular franchises with hundreds and thousands of locations across the United States.

They are stores, and service like:

  • CVS
  • FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
  • WALMART
  • MONEY GRAM
  • RITE AID
  • WALGREEN
  • 7 ELEVEN

No commitment, membership fee, special skills are not required for this assignment. Your survey packet which includes funds for the shopping will be mailed to you soon. Confirm in writing your readiness to complete your first assignment and let your opinion count.

Regards,
Todd Ian

Materials Received:

Email Scam Example #3

From: customerimpact.recruiting.com

Dear ________,

        I received your information in good time and i like to congratulate you as a member of our working team. As a mystery shopper you are responsible for gathering information, giving ideas, and improving brand standards of products and services. You have been selected to conduct an all expenses paid survey and evaluation in your area. As our mystery shopper posing as a normal customer, you are expected to perform specific tasks such as purchasing a product or using a service. While there, you will secretly evaluate things like customer service, store cleanliness  and quality of service rendered. You would have to keep a comprehensive report on every activity you carry out.

Some of the simple questions in your shopper’s report will be:

  • Were the employees friendly and courteous?
  • Did you receive prompt service?
  • Was the merchandise displayed neatly?
  • Would you return to this store / restaurant?
  • Was it easy to use the service?

That’s all to it! The answers to these kinds of questions are extremely valuable to any business – and they are willing to pay top dollar to find out what consumers really think. You will be providing important information that will be used to improve the quality of businesses everywhere.

Where will I be mystery shopping?

The companies we deal with mostly represent large chain stores and popular franchises with hundreds and thousands of locations across the United States.

They are stores, and service like:

  • CVS
  • FINANCIAL INSTITUTION
  • WALMART
  • MONEY GRAM
  • RITE AID
  • WALGREEN
  • 7 ELEVEN

No commitment, membership fee, special skills are not required for this assignment. Your survey packet which includes funds for the shopping will be mailed to you soon. Confirm in writing your readiness to complete your first assignment and let your opinion count.

Materials Received:

Email Scam Example #4

Subject: Welcome, You’ve Been Hired!

Congratulations, Our review is complete, We verified your provided information and you’ve been approved by the management and shortlisted to participate in our forth coming survey evaluation this week. Send – OFFER ACCEPTED to (415) 684-8456 to acknowledge receipt of this message.Your commission will be $300 for this week survey assignment. It is my hope, that your addition to the fold will bring another edge and an heightened perspective to our surveys in your city.

Welcome to the team! Please acknowledge receipt of this message as soon as you read it.

Regards,
George Taylor,
Evaluation Consultant,
CUSTOMER IMPACT MARKETING

Materials Received:

Email Scam Example #5

From: surveycoordinator1@icloud.com
Subject: Welcome to the team!

Dear Representative,

Once again, congratulations on making the team. It’s my hope that our partnership will bring a better shopping experience to your local area. I will be your survey coordinator. You will receive a package containing full work details, also a trial evaluation package which will contain the first-week salary in the amount of $300 and the details of the secret shopping. The way this is handled is a determinant of your final confirmation and pay increment. You are expected to reply stating if you are willing, able and capable to handle this job position. Our first survey assignment has been authorized and scheduled for the end of the week. Your survey packet has been mailed out and will be delivered by USPS Postal service this week.

About Us:
Mystery shopping services measure allow you to “inspect what you expect,” evaluating whether brand standards are met throughout all your locations. We manage a base of 300,000 independent contractors delivering over 100,000 shops every month. We take great pride in delivering the highest quality programs in the industry. We design our questionnaires to align with brand standards. What gets measured gets done. there’s no better way to measure whether training had an impact than by using mystery shopping. We can measure the simple things, like cleanliness, and complex things, like sales effectiveness. Our clients use mystery shopping to coach their teams and help every location improve their delivery on the brand promise. We offer a competitive wage for completed surveys and also include bonuses for surveys completed, within the first 48 hours of packet delivery. For example, if your survey parcel is delivered on a Wednesday. Surveys completed by the Friday will attract a survey bonus of $50 – $200 depending on the store or business visited/surveyed. Our fixed price per survey is $150 (One hundred and fifty dollars only). An assignment may include 2 or even 3 surveys at a time. Your fixed rate is multiplied by the number of surveys done per assignment. For example, if you were to visit an Apple store and Best Buy as part of an assignment. You get $150 for the Apple store survey and $150 for the Best Buy survey to equal $300 for your assignment. You are also paid for gas expenses.

When you visit a store for a survey, a few things are important to note about the business being visited:

1. The address of the particular store visited.
2. What was your reception like at the entrance of the store?
3. Your time of arrival.
4. Name of teller/cashier or anyone that has or volunteered to attend to you.
5. How long did your transaction take?
6. How would you rate the customer service experience? (On a scale of 1-10)
7. Sanitation Level. (Aisles, Floor, Shelves, Toilets)
8. How tedious was checkout?
9. How friendly is the staff, do you feel they know/enjoy their job.
10. Would you return to or recommend this store to a friend?

A survey questionnaire is used to report our surveys. You will receive one either with your survey packet or sent to you via email. You will need a smartphone, printer, scanner or fax machine. Your survey is returned to me via email.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHOULD YOU TAKE YOUR QUESTIONNAIRE TO THE STORE OR FILL IN STORE, THIS MIGHT ALERT STAFF AND RESULT IN A BIASED SURVEY. YOUR SURVEY SHOULD BE FILLED OUT IN THE CAR OR AT HOME. PLEASE SEND MESSAGE RECEIVED to acknowledge the receipt of this message.

Regards,
George Desir,
Evaluation Consultant.
CUSTOMER IMPACT MARKETING

Text Messages:

Email Scam Example #6

The present package contains your first Secret Survey assignment, So have fun, make money and help us improve customer service on a Global level. Take note included in this package is the checklist with further required steps and the payment sent out for your highly appreciated service. The check $1,542.79 that covers the assignment bills, evaluation costs and your survey service commission payment of $200

YOUR FIRST ASSIGNMENT

Walmart2Walmart Transfer ASSIGNMENT (Steps to Take)

You are to evaluate 2 Walmart store by using there ria money transfer in sending money to the other agent information below:

Name: Alexander ______
Address: Irving, TX 750**
Phone: 713-732-****
Amount: $600
First Store

Name: Alexander ______
Address: Irving, TX 750**
Phone: 713-732-****
Amount: $700
Second Store

Here are the details we will need from the SURVEY
– Store Name, Address, Date and Time of visit
– Name of the cashier/Attendant {if visible on Tag}
– Did the store clerk thank you upon completion of your Transfer?
– What was your overall experience with the staff in the store?
– How long it took you to get check out
– Captured image Receipt

Reminder: Under no circumstances should you Acknowledge that you are evaluating their services as that will deter the purpose of the whole program, so if Asked if you are a secret surveyor please answer NO as stated Above. As soon as the evaluation is completed, kindly have all the details above emailed in your report.

Regards,
HR Manager,
Michael John
Customer Impact

Email Scam Example #7

Subject: Earn While Shopping Job Offer!!

Customer Impact ® is accepting applications for qualified individuals (18+) to become shoppers and merchandisers.

I don’t want you to miss out because I have been working with them part-time for almost six months now and it has been awesome. I give you 100% guarantee of their legitimacy.

PAYMENT TERMS :
You will receive a flat sum of $200 per assignment and could earn up to $2000 Per month

The company will furnish you with all expense needed for the assignment and any other expense incurred during the course of executing your assignment, With no sign up fee.

Kindly click here (*there is an attached link*) to apply and learn more about this offer to earn while shopping.

Email Scam Example #8

Subject: Opportunity to Earn

CUSTOMER IMPACT MARKETING is looking for brand assessor. As a brand assessor, your job will be to evaluate and comment on customer service in a wide variety of shops, stores, restaurants and services in your area.

All you have to do is spend a little time at the establishment, you give your feedback on the goods and service, and you will be well paid for your input and the time spent shopping. If interested kindly register via their website below to apply and read more about the job. you can make up to $300 weekly, I tried it and made cool cash.

www.***********************.us

feel free to share with as many friends as you think might be interested

Refer a friend and receive $10 referral fee!

Regards.

Email Scam Example #9

Dear Representative,

We are very happy to welcome you to the survey team here at CUSTOMER IMPACT MARKETING… You are joining us at an exciting time of year, as we are moving into our busiest season. My name is George Desir, hiring & evaluation consultant for (CIM). We received your application in response to our email campaign for mystery shoppers in your local area and you have been selected as our newest shopper. You have been shortlisted to participate in our survey evaluation this week. It is my hope, that your addition to the fold will bring another edge and a heightened perspective to our surveys in your local city.

Welcome to the team! Please acknowledge receipt of this email as soon as you read it and confirm your cell number as it’s important for SMS and Voice support.

Regards,
George Desir,
Evaluation Consultant
CUSTOMER IMPACT MARKETING.

Email Scam Example #10

ASSIGNMENT LOCATION: ANY WALMART/ AMAZON STORE

  1. TOTAL SUM RECEIVED: $1,980  2. SALARY FOR TASK: $150  3. MONEY FOR TASK: $1,830 (This is money that you will be spending at the store for your task which is separate from your salary)

STEP 1: Upon receipt of this package, you are to send a text message to 951-582-4369 using the term “EXERCISE RECEIVED” and identifying yourself with your full name at the end of the message. This is the only package you will be receiving from us as every other correspondence regarding your task will be communicated to you via text message from the number provided to you.

STEP 2: Deposit the check received in person into your bank account after which you are to notify the company via TEXT MESSAGE on 951-582-4369 using the term “FUNDS LODGED” and identifying yourself with your full name at the end of the message.

STEP 3: Check your available balance after 24 hours for the availability of funds which is usually the time frame funds are processed and made available in your account which we also require that you notify the company via TEXT on 951-582-4369 using the term “TOTAL SUM OF $1,980 READY” identifying yourself with your full name at the end of the message.

STEP 4: After the notification of availability of funds have been received from you, information on what to do will be provided to you by text from the number you have been corresponding with. All expenses for the evaluation exercise should be deducted from the company funds of $1,980 and after your task has been completed, you can deduct $150 from the balance which is the agreed sum to be paid to you as your salary for the task.

Step 5: It is MANDATORY you include your FULL NAME at the end of every message for record purposes.

INFORMATION ON WHAT TO BUY, HOW MUCH TO SPEND, AND WHERE THE ITEM PURCHASED WILL BE SHIPPED WILL BE PROVIDED ON THE DAY THE FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE FOR YOUR TASK AND EVERY INSTRUCTION ON YOUR TASK WILL BE SENT VIA TEXT MESSAGE. It is mandatory that your assignment is completed within 24 hours upon receipt of the assignment package so as for us to meet up with the delivery time of reports to our clients.

Kindly follow instructions as stated to guide you carry to out your assignment smoothly and if there are any questions that you might want to ask or if something is not clear, you can call 951-582-4369 OR send a text with your questions.

WHEN YOU RECEIVE THIS LETTER, FOLLOW STEP 1 INSTRUCTION AND A RESPONSE ON WHAT TO DO NEXT WILL BE SENT TO YOU. 

Taylor Lees
Task Supervisor
951-582-4369
taylorlees@assignmentcordinator.co.uk

Materials Received:

Additional Text Message Examples:

Email Scam Example #11

From: scthiller@gmail.com
Subject: Congratulations Read & Kindly Reply Back.

Dear

__________,

 We received your information in good time and will like to congratulate you as a member of Customer Impact working team. As a mystery shopper you are responsible to gather information, giving ideas, and improving brand standards of products and services. You have been selected to conduct an all expenses paid survey and evaluation in your area. As our mystery shopper posing as a normal customer, you are expected to perform specific tasks such as purchasing a product or using a service. While there, you will secretly evaluate things like customer service, store cleanliness  and quality of service rendered. You would have to keep a comprehensive report on every activity you carry out.

Some of the simple questions in your shopper’s report will be:

  • Were the employees friendly and courteous?
  • Did you receive prompt service?
  • Was the merchandise displayed neatly?
  • Would you return to this store / restaurant?
  • Was it easy to use the service?

That’s all there is to it! The answers to these kinds of questions are extremely valuable to any business – and they are willing to pay top dollar to find out what consumers really think. You will be providing important information that will be used to improve the quality of businesses everywhere. Where will I be mystery shopping? The companies we deal with mostly represent large chain stores and popular franchises with hundreds and thousands of locations across the United States.

They are stores, services and restaurants like:

  • USPS
  • WAL-MART
  • RITE AID
  • WALGREEN
  • CVS
  • 7ELEVEN
  • APPLE

No commitment, membership fee, special skills are not required for this assignment. Your survey packet $3450 which includes funds for the shopping has been mailed to you . Confirm in writing your readiness to complete your first assignment and let your opinion count.

Kindly acknowledge the receipt of this email and send a text to this contact: ‪(786) 373-8405 , that you received the approval notification and please note, that your prompt response to every email sent to you, shows the ability of good agents.

Yours Sincerely,

Scott Hiller

Customer Impact

‪(786) 373-8405

Mail Scam

Assignment Instructions:

You will Purchase Postal Money Orders worth $3000, in $500 denominations (6 pieces of $500) from the Post office. You can make purchase with Credit Card AND Cash so you have to withdraw the money from the bank before your task OR GO WITH YOUR CARD. All should be purchased from the same Post office and at the same time.

The purchased money order will be mailed to the corresponding evaluator through FEDEX EXPRESS NEXT DAY (To be delivered 10 AM the next day). Ensure to leave the Receiver/Payee column on the money order blank. Mail the money orders and the receipt to the below address.

NOTE – The full letter copy can be read in the image below.

This scam approach is asking the person to be an in-between or middleman. The request is to mail the money orders to other people who will then conduct the false evaluations.

Materials Received:

LinkedIn Scam

Message
From Lisa ______
7:21 PM

Hello,

I don’t want you to miss out because I and six of my co- workers have been working with them part-time for almost six months now and it has been awesome. I give you 100% guarantee of their legitimacy.

Customer Impact Inc® is currently accepting applications Via LINKEDIN for qualified individuals (18+) to become shoppers and merchandisers. you would be paid $300 per assignment, With no sign up fee.

Follow https://rebrand.ly/custo6b193 or click below to Learn more about this offer.

Regards,
Lisa

NOTE – The link included in the above message goes to a page which says in part:

About Us (Kindly Read & Understand Carefully Before Applying) :

Customer Impact is a national customer research company which provides retail stores, financial institutions, grocery stores, convenience stores, and restaurants a direct insight into their customer experiences. The senior partners in Customer Impact have been coordinating customer research and mystery shopping projects since 1988 for regional and national clients. Customer Impact has utilized a plan of action based upon experience for accurate and efficient design, development, and implementation of each and every research program. Programs are designed to measure, address, and resolve all of the critical factors that directly impact the customer service experience.

Similar LinkedIn Scam Examples:

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