Friday, January 30, 2009

I Didn't Ever Think About .......

Alright remember around Christmas the e-bay scam I got caught in. Well it happen again but not by e-bay. This time I replied to an add for a Secret Shopper from a reputable publication. They asked me when I could work and I told them Monday and Tuesdays as I have other commitments the rest of the week.

At first they just asked me to find some stores on the Internet inmy area and call them. I was to check to make sure they were still in business and that their hours were the same as listed on the web site.

You know where this is going don't you?

Then on Thursday they tell me my first assignment will arrive by UPS that afternoon. They were giving me a cashier check for $2600 of which I'm to keep $300 and send the other $2300 by western union to some guy with in 24 hours or receipt.

You know what is happening, I know you do.

Now if you don't know what this means, google Secret Shopper Scams. Up comes this Western Union scam. I contacted the company and told them it is a Thursday and I said I could only do Mondays and Tuesdays. They thanked me for letting them know but try my best to do it in the time frame.

Next I google "how to report secret shopper scams." It needed to fill out a Federal Trade Commissar report.

Are you wonder about the package from UPS?

Well that afternoon there was a small problem at mom's so hubby and I went to make the repair. When we got home the package on laying on my porch. While I was at mom's I also got a message from the company saying if I don't complete my task in the agreed 24 hours I am liable for persecution. I am also liable for persecution if I would black list them.

If you thought I stayed awake all night fretting over this you are wrong. I went to bed and didn't have a thought on my mind. I'm Trusting in God.

This morning I contacted my local post office about the package. The postmaster told me to call the Federal Postal Inspector. So I did make that call. I was told since I didn't open the package to send it back. And not to have any contact with the company. Don't answer their phone calls or email.

Now it is getting fun. Are you still with me?

I take the package to the post office and they tell me since it is UPS they can't return it I need to take it to a UPS place, it is just down the street. I go to the UPS place and tell them I want to return this package, I am refusing it. That was the Postal Inspector words. UPS said you can refuse their packages once they are delivered. It would cost me at least $2o to return it. You have to under stand this package is the size of a large envelope. I was told it would be cheaper to go the post office and mail it priority.

Guess what I did?

I went back to the post office. I told them UPS said it is cheaper to send it priority. They were surprised to hear UPS doesn't accept refusals. The post master saw me back so he came out to see if there was a problem. We explain the situtation. He was so surprise to hear the Federal Postal Inspector didn't take any information about the company. I said "should the police fill out a report" they said "no it is mail, they will refer you to the post office. So he gave me a BIG and BIG stack of papers to go home and fill out to file. So that is just what I did.

If you are still with at this time, you sure are dedicate to my blog.

There are many details I didn't share here. If I did it would be a book and not just a very long blog. If there is more developement I'll let you know.

3 comments:

Kathy said...

I read your whole story. Sorry to hear about this happening! I hope everything turns out well.

Sharon Brumfield said...

Looks like God has given you a mission! :)
Good for you for not giving up along the way.
How aggravating to think you were going to do something cool and it turn into a paper work job.
But I am thankful for the fact that you are following through.
Our family was scammed by a "Christian" about 6 years ago....I was out 5000 dollars.
I do know that in the end this person will answer to God....but what was meant to be money for ministry ended up purchasing things of comfort for this guy and his family.
I rest in the fact that God knows.

Sharon Brumfield said...

RYC--I don't think our Sunday School teacher is using a book. But I will ask her next sunday...I have been wondering the same thing myself. There has been some really good stuff that has made me do some real thinking. It has really been great stuff. I guess the thing that has hit me is that when God gets ready to teach us new truth...it comes from experiences. When He gives us something He wants us to be able to keep it for eternity.
I'll let you know what I find out.