I recieved an email regarding About Face. My system took a dive and I lost the comment but here it is in a nut shell:
Pinnela wrote: She received an email check from About Face requesting that she print it, cash it, and sent it to them Western Union. In doing so About Face will process her evaluation. Pinnela is concerned that this may be a fake check and she will be left with a fake check and no payment.
Hello Pinnela and thank you for your question. I’m sorry I lost your original post but I hope my answer will help
These checks are popping up all over in many different forms. In my experience, About Face will never ask you do print a check, cash it and send the funds back to them Western Union. This is a BIG SCAM! The check is fake and I have heard of people going to jail for doing this for a “company”. I would report this to About Face directly (877.770.8585) so they can alert other shoppers of this new scam. If you still have the email I would forward it to About Face as well. Remember, any time someone asks you to cash a check and mail them a portion of it, it is a scam. The banks will hold you responsible for not only the funds but also report you for trying to cash a fake check – that’s jail time! Let me know what About Face says and I will pass the alert on to others.
Thansk!
Mysteryshoppingmommy
I have done about 4 shops thus far for AboutFace. My first payment was to arrive on 6/14/2009 and the following payment on 6/23/2009. At this time I have not received payment for either shop. Is this the norm?
Comment by Sundra — June 23, 2009 @ 9:24 am
Hi Sundra,
Normally AboutFace, and most other companies, will send out checks or deposits 30 days after you have completed your online report. If it has been 30 days or more, you may want to contact them. There may be an issue with your account information or something. I had that problem with another company and the issue was my email address on file and paypal account did not match. AboutFace is a great company and if you have not received your payment, give them a call.
Thanks for your question!
Comment by Mystery Shopping Momma — June 23, 2009 @ 1:03 pm
This is the norm for AboutFace. Right now they are short on cash because they are losing clients. So, the ones that suffer are the shoppers. They will just tell you the check is in the main, but I assure you it is not.
From one who knows!
Comment by Mindy Maxwell — July 23, 2009 @ 2:05 pm
Hello Mindy,
I can say that I have not shopped for AboutFace recently so I think you would have more current information than I. However, in working with AboutFace I have never had a bad experience. I am one to call if something isn’t right or my shop pay is missing in action. I have not gotten an email from them sine July 14 and those were for cable shops in Wisconsin. I have not taken any since my kids are out for the summer and I don’t like taking them because they know what I do and may “blow my cover”. Anyway, call and email if your money isn’t there. If you did the work they will pay the shop fee. Let me know if you need any help with that.
MysteryShoppingMomma
Comment by Mystery Shopping Momma — July 25, 2009 @ 8:54 pm
Hi Ladies,
I became aware of these posts and had to chuckle a little.
1. We are not short of cash and are a debt-free company.
2. Our pay policy is 37 days from submission.
3. We have a service called ‘When Will I Get Paid’ to alleviate just this unknown for shoppers. Have you tried it?
4. If there is any issue with payment, many times it is due to shoppers entering the incorrect PayPal address, etc.
5. If all that fails, I will personally make sure you get to our VP of Finance to make it right.
We care so much about what you think and the work you do. If these don’t work, please e-mail me via our company website.
Have a great day!
Paige Hall
President
Comment by Paige Hall — July 28, 2009 @ 9:21 am
Hello Paige,
Thank you for your reply! AboutFace was the first company I shopped for and I have never had any issues. I appreciate you coming through and helping to clear this matter. I have not shopped for AboutFace in a while so I didn’t want to talk out of school. I try not to promote any company I had not either registered with or shopped for. As I have stated in a previous post, AboutFace is a great company to shop for!
Thanks!
MysteryShoppingMomma
Comment by Mystery Shopping Momma — August 2, 2009 @ 9:58 pm
Does anyone have knowledge where you are asked to become a secrect shopper and the company sends you money (check, money order … etc) you are to keep so much and send the rest back via Western Union? Is this legit?
Comment by Rhonda — October 30, 2009 @ 11:45 am
I have shopped for AboutFace several times and only once did I have an issue with payment. I think I called the day after my payment should’ve been issued and talked to the scheduler who put me into contact with someone else there and the issue was resolved by the end of the day. If my memory serves me I believe it was resolved in just a few hours. I’ve always found the people there to be really helpful and incredibly responsive.
Comment by Liz — November 2, 2009 @ 11:37 pm
Hi Paige
I just recieved 4 $500.00 money gram money orders that I was told to cash & keep $200.00 and send the rest to be a scret shopper to check on the company because there heard that there have been alot of “lost ” funds. I am not buying into this so far. I can foward you the email adress ( aboutface) Please advise
Thanks
Comment by kathy — November 14, 2009 @ 8:35 pm
Human Resources Director
Diana Paone
Copyright © 2009 AboutFace™
Is this your company???
Comment by kathy — November 14, 2009 @ 8:39 pm
Hello Rhonda,
These are total scams. I get these checks in the mail all the time but never for mystery shopping. They will always require you to cash it at your bank and then wire them the money while allowing you to keep a large portion. If you are unsure, the check should have the banks information on the face. Call the bank directly and ask them. They can look up the account number, or in my case I just gave them the company’s name, and they told me right away that it was fake. Most banks are prosecuting you for trying to cash these checks now.
A legitimate mystery shopper will not ask you to cash anything and then send them the money. This should send up a red flag. I believe that most shop sites have alerts letting you know about the latest scam.
Thanks for visiting!
MysteryShoppingMomma
Comment by Mystery Shopping Momma — November 15, 2009 @ 10:49 pm
Hi LIz,
I love shopping for About Face. I have not had any problems with them. As I said in past posts, they were my first company and they made everything so easy and really took the fear of being new to mystery shopping away. I think that they are very nice and helpful when you call for help and I recommend them always to people who are just starting out. Their shop directions are easy to follow, the shops are nice, and the evaluation forms are easier than you would think.
Thanks for visiting!
MysteryShoppingMomma
Comment by Mystery Shopping Momma — November 15, 2009 @ 10:53 pm
Hi Kathy,
Paige works for About Face, which is separate from this site. However, I can tell you that that check is a fake and I would not do anything with it. If the company is claiming to be About Face then I would contact them, maybe even forward a scanned copy of it, to them so they are aware of it. About Face will not ask you to do anything like that. They pay you for work done…period. You may even call them, the response may be faster. Contact them and they will also be able to tell you about the HR person you are referring to.
Thanks for visiting!
MysteryShoppingMomma
Comment by Mystery Shopping Momma — November 15, 2009 @ 10:58 pm
AboutFace is legit. However, the Western Union thing is a scam. The scammers are just using their name.
Comment by IC — January 7, 2010 @ 3:25 pm
I received an email from a company called About Face they told me they would wire me $700 a wk to do jobs for them, it did not say anything about having to send money back to them but I do know one of the questions for employment was Do you have an exsisting home equity line of credit? Which is what prompted me to do the search on the company and I came to this site… Is this a legitimate job opportunity? Has anyone who has worked for this company been offered cash in advance to do jobs?
Thanks
I am pasting a copy of the body of the email I received any info from anyone either who has worked for this company would be greatly appreciated.
AboutFace™ is a Market Research Company where Consumer-shopping and
Service-Rendering surveys are used to measure the quality of retail
service and Customer -Client relations. We have a gross clientele in the
United States and Canada which includes most of the largest, reputable
corporate and private Firms, businesses and Financial Institutions.
POSITION TITLE: PART-TIME (Mystery Shopper)
AVAILABILITY: Open in All 50 States
START DATE: Immediate
COMMISSION PER ASSIGNMENT: $700 USD /WK
BASIC JOB DESCRIPTION: You will be hired to conduct an all expenses paid
surveys and evaluation exercises on behalf of About Face™.
As our Secret shopper posing as a regular client, you will be expected to
perform specific tasks such as purchasing a product or using a service.
We presently have a couple of outstanding contracts, which means you will
be directed to outlets, firms and corporate bodies and then report on your
experience.
PLEASE NOTE: You will be provided funds in advance for any upcoming survey
via Wire Transfers to cover expenses.
You do not require any special skills for this position, however in order
to apply for this job you MUST ensure you have access to your E-mails two
(2) times a day and must READ and RESPOND to all notifications within
18-24hrs.
MYSTERY SHOPPER APPLICATION :
Name :
Address :
City :
State :
Zip Code :
Occupation :
Age :
Working Experience :
Do you have an Existing home equity line of credit account :
Phone numbers :
E-mail address :
All Application should be directed to : jamesborchet@aol.com
Human Resources Unit.
About Face™ Surveys.
Copyright © 2009 About Face™ 3292 Thompson Bridge Road, Suite 329
Gainesville, GA 30506
Comment by Judith Perkins — January 22, 2010 @ 12:34 am
Hi Judith,
AboutFace has always paid for work after it is completed. They are very particular about the quality of your report since this is what they forward to the client. It would be safe to say that this is a way for these people to get into your bank account. I would not go any further with this fake company. If you want more security in your decision you can always call AboutFace directly. I’m sure this is something that they would love to know about so they can alert shoppers of this scam. 1.877.770.8585.
Comment by Mystery Shopping Momma — January 23, 2010 @ 4:57 pm
I also received an email which I’m posting here. Is this legit? I would like to know the real company information so I can see about becoming a mystery shopper. There are so many scams out there that I hesitate to contact/respond to anyone!!!
See below for email.
(Hello Ma/Sir,
My name is Dave Agius, a representative of About Face Concepts Inc.,this is an
awareness to let the public know that we have a vacancy position of a mystery
shopper in our company.
There is no charge to become a shopper,there are many secret shopping companies
out there that ask you to pay “a small fee” to become a shopper. Don’t do it!
At About Face, you will never pay to shop! We pay you!
The assignment will pay $200 on every assignment,on a part time basis, you only
work 2-3hours twice in a week.
Kindly send your details in the format below and we will get back to you with
the assignment details.
Full Legal Name, Address, City, State, Zip code and Home and Cell #
Thanks.
Dave Agius
About Face Concepts Inc.
Thank you.
Glenny
Comment by Glenny — January 25, 2010 @ 12:04 pm
Hi Glenny,
Although this email is not asking you for money and warning you of scams I would not trust it. You can go directly to About Face and sign up to become a shopper. Making $200 twice a week is a little fishy as most shops do not pay that much unless you have shops lined up back to back for two weeks. Not saying that its not possible but not guaranteed. About Face will allow you to sign up via their website and when jobs become available in your area they will either email you or you can just check the site daily. So, in short, I would disregard the email and go to http://www.aboutfacecorp.com/shoppers.cfm and sign up to become a shopper. This way you know you are not being scammed.
Best of luck to you!
MysteryShoppingMomma
Comment by Mystery Shopping Momma — February 8, 2010 @ 12:05 pm
i definitely love your posting way, very remarkable,
don’t give up as well as keep writing since it just good worth to look through it.
looking forward to look over far more of your current content pieces, good bye!
Comment by Frefquefrag — March 29, 2010 @ 7:49 pm
Hi I was wondering about About Face Inc. They sent me 3 travelers checks worth 500 each and want me to take 200 for my commission and send the rest. Is this normal protocol for About Face?
Good Morning Ronald ,
How are you doing today?
This is to inform you that your first assignment as our mystery shopper starts
today.
We have just received confirmation that the payment will be delivered
to your location today.
The payment is meant for both western union evaluation and the $150 pay you get
for the assignment carried out.
When you receive the payment,follow the instructions below ,have it cashed at your bank,deduct $150 which is
your pay and have the rest sent via western union to another mystery shopper,who
will be conducting her evaluation at another western union pick up location.
The charges for the transfer will be deducted from the funds.
Instructions for the payment;
Upon receiving the travellers cheques,you will have to do the following before taking the checks to your Bank to get it cashed.
1) You will have to put your signature where it says “SIGN HERE UPON RECEIPT OF THIS TRAVELLERS CHEQUE
2) You will have to put your Full name where it says “Pay to the Order of
3) You will have to put a date.
Note: Do not countersign at home where it says countersign here..You will have to countersign in the Bank when you are about to cash the travellers checks in the presence of the cashier
Below are the details you need for the transfer:
Receiver’s Name: Daniel Edmond
Address: 7835 Eduque Street
City: Makati
State: Manila
Country: Philippines
Zip Code: 1011
Send the funds using the Same-Day service.
The funds will be received by another mystery shopper who is also making an evaluation.
The transfer fee is to be deducted from the amount sent.
When completed provide a scanned copy of the receipt along with the report.
To recapitulate, the main points you have to include in your report
are:politeness of the attendant, brief description of the attendant’s
clothes,how clean the location is, exact amount of minutes you spend at the
location, as well as any other unusual thing you may notice while you are there.
The more details, the better.
The report is to be sent along with the receipts.
Please get back and confirm that you understand the above instructions.
Thank you,
Peter Clark.
About face concept Inc.
Comment by Ron Moore — April 5, 2010 @ 3:09 am
Hello Ron,
This is a scam. Anytime, anyone asks you to cash a check, keep a little, then wire the rest is a scam, not to mention the money is being sent to a foreign country. Banks are not going to be understanding and will most often877.770.8585 prosecute you. If you still want to feel it out for yourself, call the bank the check is supposed to have come from. Most times they can tell you by the routing and account numbers if it’s real or not. Also, you can call About Face directly (877.770.8585), they are very nice and want to know about scammers who use their name. About Face is one of the most respected and would never ask you to cash a check and wire the rest over seas. This way, they can alert others. Remember, if it sounds too easy and too good to be true……it probably is!
Good Luck!
MysteryShoppingMomma
Comment by Mystery Shopping Momma — April 11, 2010 @ 9:18 pm
I have been shopping for AboutFace for almost two years now. The only problem I have had was receiving the cehck on time; however, it always arrived within the week past the due date. Now they do paypal, how can they scam that? You guys are just dumb shits that can’t keep your money and are stupid enough to fall for the wrong companies.
Comment by Arjun Singh — May 4, 2010 @ 10:02 am
I love the comment from Paige Hall. She is the owner, so what is she supposed to say “Yes, we have no money.” The reason they have no money and are losing clients is because Paige hires all her friends and pays them $90,000 per year calling them VP’s yet all the people that actually do the work make below minimum wage as independent contractors. The so called VP’s have no idea what they are doing except kissing Paige’s ass. She misclasifies her IC’s so that she does not have to pay taxes. This woman seriously needs to be taken down a peg and reported to the IRS. The largest client she had left and started his own MS company. Those were the car and RV shops. Every penney she makes goes to her friends. She even had her mother as head of payables and human resources. So if you work there and go through proper channels to complain, you get no where. She has since fired her own mother though to make more room for another VP friend. Karma is a bitch and will eventually come back and bite her!
Comment by Mindy Maxwell — June 10, 2010 @ 12:25 pm