Direct Opinions marketing and surveys... A complete scam

Go to your bank as soon as they open.  Show the bankers the instruction sheet that came with the check.  Tell them that you now know the check is fake.  They will take the check amount out of your account.  But since you are being honest about it they won't charge you a large fee for deposting a bad check.

What if i just wait, and if it clears, do not follow the instructions on the sheet and keep the $2400?

i got a phone call on friday offering me £750 loan but i have to buy a £50 voucher from my local shop before thay give me the money, thay also told me that the £50 voucher money that i have to pay thay will give me that back so thay would put £800 in to my bank account the following day, im not sure if this is a scam or not has anybody else heard of this been done?

Because it won't clear.  It will bounce.  It may take weeks or months, but eventually the check will bounce.  When it bounces you will owe your bank $2400 + a large bounced check fee.  

Under US banking laws the bank has to credit your account with the money within I think its 5 business days.  But the check may bounce around in the check processing system for a month or more.  It WILL bounce.  When it does you will owe your bank at least $2500.  They will expect immediate payment.

Any loan that requires an advance fee is a scam.  They will keep your £50.  They will not lend you any money.

In the US all advance fee loans are illegal.  I don't know the law in your country.

If you cashed it, you're not real bright. If you send messages in all caps, you're not real bright. Take some good advice: Writing a message in all caps leaves a very bad impression, and most people will not read the message, because all caps are much harder to read.

All information is difference. If you emphasize everything, then you've emphasized nothing.

wow, thats good to know. Thank you

These scammers are real ignorant and sad this company www.parkerknoll.co.uk sent me a 2000 check and asked me to deposit it, when I told him I was returning it back to sender he said it was Legit, there's no such thing as free money, he told me to keep 750 and send the rest back, please people be aware these checks do bounce and you will owe your bank this money do not do it.

Im thankful to have read all your testimonies. I to recieved a check this week and made the call. Tony evans if thats his real name, ask me to deposit the money tommorrow.. I will absolutely NOT be apart of his scam

As President of Direct Opinions, I would like to address the claims that have been posted on this site.  Direct Opinions is a legitimate business and market research company that has been established since 1983.  We have been made aware that our company name and logo are being used by criminals in a mystery and secret shopper scam.  This is a scam being perpetrated by a group outside the United States and they are posing as an office of Direct Opinions.  Please be aware that Direct Opinions does not conduct mystery shops nor do we have an office outside of Ohio.  Our Cleveland-based Telephone Survey Company is in no way connected with this solicitation.  

These scammers take the names of legitimate companies such as ours or other survey or mystery shopping firms and send out checks in hopes that the receiver will deposit the check and wire money to the specified recipient.  These checks look very real but they are fakes and you will be liable to the bank for the money when the check bounces so please do not cash these checks.  Using a legitimate company like ours makes the scam seem more valid.  It is critical to thoroughly investigate an organization and verify information of a company first and make sure that key information such as office locations, phone numbers, and products/services match up before you provide information to anyone or deposit any checks.  A legitimate business would never require you to send or wire funds as part of a mystery shopper position.  

Since we were made aware of this scam, we have continued to have an alert posting on the home page of our web site that warns consumers of this scam along with copies of the scam letters for people to view.  

Direct Opinions has been a reputable organization for almost 30 years and it is upsetting to think that criminals are using our company identity to try to take advantage of people who are trying to make an honest living.

We are working with several government agencies to track down these scammers.  If you receive a letter like this, contact your local police department and they will be able to assist you.  Because this crime is being committed through US mail, you should also contact the US Postal Service Inspector to file a complaint.  Please use the following link to file a complaint with the US Postal Service Inspector:   https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/forms/MailFraudComplaint.aspx.

Watch out for Tony Evans too.

I got my check for $1,830.00 from a Sean Howard. It said to call 647-825-4540 and speak with Sean Howard. Mr. Howard had a thick African or Indian accent. So I told him I didn't have an account and was it okay to take the check to a check cashing place. He asked if I had an ID and SSN card? If so, go open a checking account and cash it. It has to be cashed and he got angry as I questioned him further. So I hung up on the irate rep. I called back and left a message indicating that law enforcement would be in contact with them shortly.

Ihad a check to the amount of 18

Got one of these as well in an HSBC envelope, but letter gave return address of Market Research Consultants, New York, NY on Direct Opinions letterhead.  scam appears to be continuing.

I just almost got scammed I just spent a Hr filling stupid crap out. Thanks to all the posts I just found I stopped in my tracks.  Something needs to be done. So many people R being sucked in to this. All of us work to hard for the little things we have. This is sooooo Wrong!!!!