The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) on Wednesday issued a warning to both consumers and insurers today the company My Shop Inc., (also goes by the name My Shop Ltd.,) is conducting a mystery shopper scam.
Similar to an “advance fee” scam, FSCO reports that the company is sending letters and cheques to consumers that appear to be from Allstate Insurance Company of Canada, citing payment for a mystery shopper program. It asks consumers to deposit the fraudulent cheques and to send the confirmation/deposit receipt to an email address.
Allstate has not authorized the cheques and is not affiliated with My Shop in any way, the FSCO announcement says. It also warns that other insurers may also be targeted. Consumers who receive the letters are advised to forward copies of the materials to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre.
Allstate says in a notice that it “takes these type of scams very seriously” and that it has reported this apparent fraud to the authorities.