Polaris Latest 'Victim' in Mystery Shopping Scam

Atlanta, US-based Polaris Marketing Research claims to have been 'victimized' by a firm using its identity to recruit consumers as mystery shoppers and then taking their money.

The hoax firm, posing as Polaris, has been sending consumers cheques for nearly $2,000 from an address in Canada, as an enticement to become mystery shoppers.

Recipients are told they will be paid a certain amount per assignment if they bank the cheques and then use their own money to make transfers which they will later be called upon to assess. However, the original cheque then bounces, and the recipient loses the money.

Polaris says the United States Postal Inspection Service has warned recipients of these mailings not to respond.

The firm's President Jan Carlson explains: 'This scam has been going on for several years and, despite our efforts and the efforts of other companies who have been victimized in this same scam, we have been unable to stop it. It is especially dangerous during the holidays with so many people vulnerable because of our difficult economic situation, and we strongly urge consumers to get additional information before acting on any solicitations they receive.'

The real Polaris Marketing Research is online at www.polarismr.com .