TORONTO, Feb. 10, 2017 /CNW/ - The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) is warning consumers that the companies My Shop Ltd. (using the email address [email protected]) and Mystery Global Survey Group (using the email address [email protected] or an @globalservicesurveygrp.org email address) are conducting a mystery shopper scam.
These companies have sent letters and cheques bearing the Insurance Institute of Canada's name and logo to a number of individuals, citing payment for a mystery shopper assignment. The scam typically involves My Shop Ltd. or Mystery Global Survey Group asking the individuals to deposit a cheque, keep a portion of the money in their account as payment, and wire a sum of money to another person's account. However, the cheque will not clear and the individuals will not be able to recover the sum transferred.
These are fraudulent cheques and not authorized by the Insurance Institute of Canada, nor is the Insurance Institute of Canada affiliated with My Shop Inc. or Mystery Global Survey Group, in any way.
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.
The Insurance Institute of Canada is a target of this scam and has published a warning notice on its website.
FSCO has published on its website similar warning notices with details of insurance companies and organizations that have also been targeted by this scam.
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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