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Statement from GfK NOP regarding ‘Mystery Shopping Scam’ and ‘Secret Shopper’

London, 14 December 2009. The management of GfK NOP is aware of email communication purporting to come from GfK NOP Mystery Shopping with reference to recruitment to become a ‘secret shopper’.

GfK NOP advises that this email has no connection whatsoever to GfK NOP or GfK Mystery Shopping and individuals receiving such an email should not respond to it.

Details of this email scam can be found below.  Emails linked with this scam have come from "Churchill" <brgorgebarnett@aol.com> or other similar addresses.

As with many large and trusted organisations, GfK NOP is a potential target of fraudsters attempting to misuse its name. We will publicise all such attempts that are brought to our attention, in order to forewarn the public.

Kind regards
GfK Mystery Shopping

SCAM EMAIL DETAILS BELOW

From: "Churchill" <brgorgebarnett@aol.com>

To: <undisclosed-recipients:>
Sent: Saturday, December 12, 2009 11:18 PM
Subject: Mystery Shopping With Great Income (U.K ONLY)

Hello,

My name is Gorge Barnett the recruiting manager of GFK Mystery shopping.  This advert is for anyone who is willing to be a mystery shopper in the UNITED KINGDOM ONLY, you will be hired to go to other peoples companies and act like customers in order to know how the staffs Are handling their services in relation to their customer.

The Company (GFK Mystery Shopping):

We are a company that conduct surveys and evaluate other companies. We hire people to go to other peoples companies and act like customers in order to know how the staffs are handling their services in relation to their customers. Once we have a contract to do, you would be directed to the company or outlet, and you would be given the funds you need to do the job (either purchase things or require services) after that which you would write a comment on there staffs activities and give a detailed record Of your experience. Examples of details you would forward to us are:

1)How long it took you to get served

2)Smartness of the attendant

3)Customer service professionalism

4)Sometimes you might be required to upset the attendant, to see how they react to clients when they get tensed(under pressure).

And we turn the information over to the company executives and they would carry out their own duties in improving there services.

Most companies employ our assistance when people give complaints about their services, or when they feel there are needs for them to improve their customer service.

Your Identity would be kept confidential as the job states secret shopper). You would be paid 200 Pounds for every survey you carry out, and bonus on your transportation allowance and funds would be given to you if you have to dine as part of the duty. Your job will be to evaluate and comment on customer service in a wide variety of shops, stores, restaurant and services in your area. No commitment is made on this job, and you would have flexible hours as it suits you.

If you are interested in our offer, kindly respond asap.

Thanks for your anticipated action. And we hope to hear back from you.

Very Respectfully,

Gorge Barnett.