Business ProfileforDynata

The Better Business Bureau serving Connecticut and Survey Sampling International are aware of the company's name and other identifications (e.g. Opinion Outpost) being used in association with fraudulent secret shopping checks.

One of the more serious scams consists of the consumer receiving a fraudulent check or money order for large amounts of money using the names of this or similar companies.  The consumer is asked to spend a given amount in various ways as part of their "job" as a mystery shopper, to keep some of the money for their earnings, and to send the balance by Western Union or Moneygram to a third party.  The scam may also involve the purchase of gift cards or prepaid credit cards with the consumer providing the information on the card(s) to the scammer or a third party by phone or text message.  The scammer is counting on the consumer depositing the check in their bank account, then following the instructions provided for the money before the check has properly "cleared".  By the time the check has been confirmed as fraudulent, the consumer has lost the money spent on any type of prepaid card(s) or sent by wire to a third party, in addition to paying a service charge to their bank for depositing a fraudulent check.

Survey Sampling International is a marketing research company based in Connecticut which has been in business since 1977, and DOES NOT send out checks prior to a person being hired to work for the company. If a consumer has been sent a check using the company name and offering secret shopping opportunities, you are encouraged to contact the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357.