We just got a letter in the mail (with a check in the letter).

The letter (2 pages to be exact) is from SERVICE RESEARCH INC.

The body of the letter (addressed to Alan), indicates that:

"We are a MYSTERY CUSTOMER employment firm that specializes in the assisting of corporations on how to gather first hand information about their business."

They further say that they represent 1500 firms. And they use a method known as mystery shopping to achieve this goal.

The check was for $4,992.00

The top of the check says CASHIER'S CHECK.

The top left of the check says BANK OF OAKFIELD. (no address) but a phone number on the bottom of the check.

The check is made out to Alan.

I took one look at this whole thing and I said:

"With the economy the way it is, WHO ON EARTH SENDS YOU (A COMPLETE STRANGER), a check for $4,992.00??"

What do they want Alan to do??

In the middle of the letter it says

SALARY AND TRAINING PAY............$350.00
Wal-Mart Purchase....................$50.00
Western Union transfer..........$1,558.00
Service charge by Wester Union ......$99.00
Moneygram transfer..................$2,835.0
Service Charge by Moneygram.....$60.00

TOTAL IS ..........................$4,992.00 (the exact amount of the check).

Alan called the phone number on the check. The person said "the check is good, it will clear".

WILL YOU PLEASE CONFIRM WHAT I KNOW IS TO BE THE TRUTH.

That they expect people to deposit the check, then go to their own checking accounts and spend the money by using western union??

It says "upon receipt of this check, immediately phone one of our assignment coordinators".

It also says: "The first probational training task IS A PAID training assignment blah blah blah, I gather than when you phone the indicated telphone number, there is a scam artist on the other end, telling you exactly the steps you should take.

Please, if any of you have heard of this, kindly tell me, because Alan is chomping at the bit here.

Thanks much.

P.S. I tried to look up the company on the internet to see if this is a real deal or a scam. Couldn't find a thing.

Thanks to anyone who agrees with me.

Melody