What's On Your Mind? Mystery Shopper Scam, American Mint, Lenovo

“I ordered a new computer direct from Lenovo online,” said Micheal, of Cornwall, N.Y. “After they took my money and confirmed the order they advised the computer would arrive a month later.”

If he had known that, said Michael, he never would have ordered the computer, so he immediately cancelled the order. After a lot of back and forth, he said they promised to ship him the computer within two weeks instead of a month. No, he said, cancel the order.

“I received confirmation of the cancellation and my credit card was adjusted,” Michael said. “Two days later they reactivated the order and express mailed a laptop and charged my account! What!? Can they do that!?”

Michael should:

• Contact his credit card company and dispute the charge;
• File a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission;
• Contact the New York Attorney General's Office

Next time Michael talks with Lenovo, he might want to remind them that, legally, he is under no obligation to either pay for the computer or return it.  The consumer is under no obligation to return -- or pay for -- unordered merchandise.

No mystery here

Scams, disguised as mystery shopper “opportunities,” have become more widespread in a worsening economy. Many consumers desperate for income jump at what seem to be easy ways to earn extra money.

“I got scammed,” Shawna, of Charleston, WVa., told ConsumerAffairs.com. “I got an email about a mystery shopper, so I replied. “Then I received three money orders, and an email telling what to do.”

The money orders were fake but Shawna didn't learn that until long after she had cashed them and wired the money back to the scammers.

“I have to pay the bank over $3,000 so they will not press charges against me,” Shawna said.

Shawna has contacted the FBI and other agencies to report her theft. We suggest also contacting West Virginia Attorney General Darrel McGraw's office.

Please hold

Nothing seems to get consumers riled up like poor service, especially when they call a help line. Dennis, of Worthington, Ohio, has had it with One Travel.

“I called to speak with one of there representatives about my flight and waited on the phone for 56 minutes,” he said. “It is the most frustrated I have been in my 59 years of life. The only reason I eventually hung up was I realized there may not be anybody there.”

The problem seems to be getting worse. We wonder if businesses have laid off so many people in the bad economy that don't have enough people now to do the job.

There's always a catch

You have to watch out for those “trial,” or “introductory” offers. In almost every case they are simply the bait to sell you something more expensive, even if you don't know you're buying it.

I paid $4.95 to American Mint for introductory offer,” Terrance of Oakbrook, Ill., told ConsumerAffairs.com. “I accepted no other product, yet I am being billed $49.95 plus $10.50 late fees for something not ordered or received.”

Often these companies hide a negative option sale in the fine print, then send you product you don't want. The fact that Terrance never received any product puts him on firm footing. If he hasn't already, he needs to contact Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office.