CASRO's 325+ member companies and their 32,000 employees, all of whom are afforded membership benefits, represent nearly $8 billion in global annual revenue–about 85% of the US research industry and 30% of the global research industry. All CASRO members must adhere to the CASRO Code of Standards and Ethics, the enforceable standard for research businesses for more than 30 years.

CASRO Issues "Mystery Shopper" Mail Fraud Scam Alert

Leading Market Research Industry Association Warns Consumers Across North America

Once again mystery shopping fraud schemes are hitting the postal mail stream. People around the U.S. and Canada are receiving letters from companies using the names and logos of legitimate market research companies. The recipient of the letter is asked to become a mystery shopper and evaluate the service of Western Union or Money Gram. While some of the details of the scam vary, in most of the letters the scammers ask the recipient - in their role as a "mystery shopper" - to deposit into their bank account an attached check for up to $3,000 written out to the recipient. Then, the recipient is asked to evaluate the customer service of Western Union / Money Gram by wiring their own money to a designated Western Union or Money Gram account. Of course the check isn't legitimate, and the individual has just wired and lost their own money.

Research companies whose names have been "hijacked" and illegally used to stage this fraud scheme have been busy addressing questions and complaints, explaining that their companies and the research industry itself never solicits money from participants in the research process. CASRO has provided its member companies with several recommended action steps to respond to the victims of such mail fraud schemes.

If you have received a letter similar to the one described above, CASRO recommends the following:

DO NOT attempt to cash or deposit the check (if the check has already been deposited, you should alert your bank immediately)
DO NOT send any money to Western Union or Money Gram
Contact your local post office, your state consumer protection agency (Visit www.naag.org for a list of state Attorneys General), and your local Western Union or Money Gram office
Consider filing a complaint to the FTC via its consumer protection complaint form

About CASRO
Founded in 1975, CASRO represents 330 research organizations in the U.S. and abroad, all of which annually reaffirm their adherence to theCASRO Code of Standards and Ethics for Survey Research, an internationally respected code of business and professional standards. CASRO's member benefits include a strong government and public affairs program, industry surveys and superb staff training and networking opportunities at workshops and conferences held throughout the year.