TORONTO, Nov. 8, 2016 /CNW/ - The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) is warning consumers and insurers about a mystery shopper scam being conducted by an entity that is using the name of a legitimate United States mystery shopping company, A Closer Look/A Closer Look Inc., without authorization.
This company has sent out letters and cheques that appear to be from Desjardins Financial Security to people, citing payment for a mystery shopper program for Western Union. The letter asks consumers to activate the cheque and transfer funds through Western Union to evaluate their services. These appear to be fraudulent cheques and not authorized by Desjardins, nor is Desjardins affiliated with A Closer Look Inc. These cheques will not clear, and individuals will not be able to recover the sum transferred.
This type of scam is a version of an advance fee fraud.
Consumers should exercise caution if they are contacted by anyone from these coordinates and are encouraged not to deposit the cheque or contact the company. Instead, forward copies of the materials received to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre .
Other insurance companies may potentially become targets as well.
FSCO's website contains a list of all insurance companies and agents licensed to do business in Ontario.
Additional Information
What to Do If You Think You are a Victim of a Scam or Fraud
SOURCE Financial Services Commission of Ontario
For media inquiries, please contact: Malon Edwards, Senior Communications Officer, Telephone: 416-590-7536, Toll free: 1-800-668-0128, ext. 7795, Fax: 416-590-7070, TTY Toll Free: 1-800-387-0584, Email: [email protected]; Public inquiries: 1-800-668-0128, [email protected]
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