Warnings
Beware of fraudulent offers using our company name.CONSUMER / CONTRACTOR / SHOPPER WARNINGS!
12/22/2023 – Fraudulent Check Cashing / Gift Card Buying Scheme
Our company name is again being used fraudulently for a scam related to being sent a check to cash and then purchase gift cards at stores such as Target and Wal-Mart.
The scam fraudulently uses the name of Rob Shofner who is an individual with our company, however they use the fraudulent email address of robshofner2023@outlook.com and the phone number of 775-583-7434. This email and phone number are not associated with our company in any manner.
We never have and will never ever send paper checks to be cashed as part of any assignment. Please notify us of any such fraudulent behavior and don’t cash the check, purchase any gift cards or respond to any communication from any individual relating to this.
6/2/2023 – Fraudulent Solicitations for “Open remote administrative assistant position”
Our company name is again being used fraudulently for a scam of some kind. Here are the details of the communication being sent fraudulently using our company name:
“Dear Job Seeker,
How are you doing today? I am Maria Lungu . I work with Amusement Advantage Inc, and I am contacting you in regards to an open Remote administrative assistant position. I got your Resume from LinkedIn Recruiters as an Admin Assistant and after reviewing it you do seem like the right candidate for this position. Do confirm if your availability is still open for this position?
Signed Management
Maria Lungu”
We are NOT recruiting for any positions or opportunities on LinkedIn at this time including any kind of “Remote administrative assistance position” and there is no one at our firm named Maria Lungu. Please notify us of any such fraudulent behavior and don’t respond to any communication from this individual or in regards to similar communication.
8/17/2020 – Fraudulent attempts to place ads in local online and print publications:
Our company name is again being used fraudulently for a scam. Attempts are being made to place ads using our company name (Amusement Advantage Inc,) and the name of Rob Shofner (our Client Support / Research associate) using the following gmail address: “amusementadresearchinc@gmail.com” and phone number: “445-300-1981“. Here is the full text of one of their requests:
“EVALUATORS NEEDED – Are you interested in getting paid to give honest feedback on a business? Or you can do a research/findings in a company within your area at adaptable hours for $150 per evaluation? Send a message to amusementadresearchinc@gmail.com to get started. I’m looking at publishing the above advert for 2 weeks. Kindly get back to me on the next steps.”
We are NOT attempting to place any ads in any publication of any kind currently and we would never do so using a Gmail address. This is not a phone number associated with or company or anyone who works for us or represents us. Please notify us of any such fraudulent behavior and don’t place or respond to any ads using this information in any way.
1/3/2020 – Another Fraudulent check cashing scam using our company name from someone calling themselves Mark Toro:
Our company name is again being used fraudulently for a scam. Someone using the name of Mark Toro is contacting shoppers offering mystery shopping assignments using our company name and other information fraudulently. We are NOT affiliated with nor have we ever been affiliated with an individual with this name. They are using an email address of amusemenbtadvantage1200@gmail.com and a phone number of 970-452-8536. They are asking people to cash checks and buy blank money orders and send them to 12215 Northwood Forest Dr Apt 135A, Houston TX 77039. We also do not evaluate any retail locations not associated with an entertainment location and never ever send any type of check out in advance that you are to deposit. Do not share any personal information with them and report them to the National Consumers League at: www.fraud.org via the online complaint form. For more information on scams targeting mystery shopping, visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association at: www.mysteryshop.org/avoid-scammers. We ONLY communicate actual assignment instructions via emails that come from the domain amusementadvantage.com (scheduler name)@amusementadvnatage.com. We do sometimes do recruiting via gmail addresses from our schedulers (Erika, Kendra, Kelly, Shanna and Tracy) but if actually scheduled the assignment would appear on your Shoppers Homepage when you login our website and would receive all further email from an email address at our domain. Please assume any communication that comes from any other type of free email account or address to be fraudulent communication.
12/4/2018 – Another Fraudulent check cashing scam using our company name from someone calling themselves Jesse Miller:
Our company name is again being used fraudulently for a scam. Someone using the name of Jesse Miller is contacting shoppers offering mystery shopping assignments using our company name and other information fraudulently. We are NOT affiliated with nor have we ever been affiliated with an individual with this name. They are using an email address of jessemiller630@gmail.com and a phone number of 774-553–2970. We also do not evaluate any retail locations not associated with an entertainment location and never ever send any type of check out in advance that you are to deposit. Do not share any personal information with them and report them to the National Consumers League at: www.fraud.org via the online complaint form. For more information on scams targeting mystery shopping, visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association at: www.mysteryshop.org/avoid-scammers. We ONLY communicate actual assignment instructions via emails that come from the domain amusementadvantage.com. We do sometimes do recruiting via gmail addresses from our schedulers (Erika, Kendra, Serena and Shanna) but if actually scheduled the assignment would appear on your Shoppers Homepage when you login our website and would receive all further email from an email address at our domain. Please assume any communication that comes from any other type of free email account or address to be fraudulent communication.
11/27/2015 – More Fraudulent activity using our name for iPhone mystery shopping scams from Jason Ruddock:
Our company name is again being used fraudulently for a scam. Someone using the name of Jason Ruddock is contacting shoppers via LinkedIn, offering mystery shopping assignments using our company name and other information fraudulently. We are NOT affiliated with nor have we ever been affiliated with an individual with this names. They are using an email address of jasonruddock667@yahoo.com. We also do not evaluate any retail locations not associated with an entertainment location and never send a check out in advance that you are to deposit. Do not share any personal information with them and report them to the National Consumers League at: www.fraud.org via the online complaint form. For more information on scams targeting mystery shopping, visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association at: www.mysteryshop.org/avoid-scammers. We ONLY communicate via emails that come from the domain amusementadvantage.com. Please assume any communication that comes from any other type of free email account or address such as gmail.com, yahoo.com, etc. to be fraudulent communication.
11/3/2015 – Fraudulent Mystery Shopper Apple iPhone Scam from Dr. Daniel Kerian PH.D. and Kelvin Dawranch via LinkedIn:
Our company name is again being used fraudulently for a scam. Someone using the name of Dr. Daniel Kerian PH.D. and Kelvin Dawranch is contacting shoppers via LinkedIn, offering mystery shopping assignments using our company name and other information fraudulently. We are NOT affiliated with nor have we ever been affiliated with an individual with these names. They are using an email address of michael@rawvibeswassell.com, davidlawson117@outlook.com and danielkerian@outlook.com. We also do not evaluate any retail locations not associated with an entertainment location and never send a check out in advance that you are to deposit. Do not share any personal information with them and report them to the National Consumers League at: www.fraud.org via the online complaint form. For more information on scams targeting mystery shopping, visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association at: www.mysteryshop.org/avoid-scammers. We ONLY communicate via emails that come from the domain amusementadvantage.com. Please assume any communication that comes from any other type of free email account or address such as gmail.com, yahoo.com, etc. to be fraudulent communication.
10/30/2015 – Fraudulent Mystery Shopper Apple iPhone Scam from Donald Taylor or Michael Wassell:
Our company name is again being used fraudulently for a scam. Someone using the name of Donald Taylor and Michael Wassell is contacting shoppers via LinkedIn, offering mystery shopping assignments using our company name and other information fraudulently. We are NOT affiliated with nor have we ever been affiliated with an individual with these names. They are using an email address of michael@rawvibeswassell.com, donaldtaylor22@outlook.com and donaldtaylor04@outlook.com. We also do not evaluate any retail locations not associated with an entertainment location and never send a check out in advance that you are to deposit. Do not share any personal information with them and report them to the National Consumers League at: www.fraud.org via the online complaint form. For more information on scams targeting mystery shopping, visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association at: www.mysteryshop.org/avoid-scammers. We ONLY communicate via emails that come from the domain amusementadvantage.com. Please assume any communication that comes from any other type of free email account or address such as gmail.com, yahoo.com, etc. to be fraudulent communication.
10/14/2015 – Fraudulent Mystery Shopper Check Cashing Scam from Donald Taylor or Chris Combs:
Our company name is again being used fraudulently for a scam. Someone using the name of Donald Taylor and Chris Combs is offering mystery shopping assignments using our company name and other information fraudulently. We are NOT affiliated with nor have we ever been affiliated with an individual with these names. They are using an email address of donaldtaylor11@outlook.com, donaldtaylor22@outlook.com and donaldtaylor04@outlook.com. We also do not evaluate any retail locations not associated with an entertainment location and never send a check out in advance that you are to deposit. Do not share any personal information with them and report them to the National Consumers League at: www.fraud.org via the online complaint form. For more information on scams targeting mystery shopping, visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association at: www.mysteryshop.org/avoid-scammers. We ONLY communicate via emails that come from the domain amusementadvantage.com. Please assume any communication that comes from any other type of free email account or address such as gmail.com, yahoo.com, etc. to be fraudulent communication.
12/19/2014 – Fraudulent Mystery Shopper/Survey Agent Offers from Linked In Website:
Our company name is again being used fraudulently for a scam. Someone using the name of Andrew Shaffer is contacting shoppers from group and individual profiles on the Linked In website, offering mystery shopping assignments using our company name and other information fraudulently. We are NOT affiliated with nor have we ever been affiliated with an individual with this name. Do not share any personal information with them and report them to the National Consumers League at: www.fraud.org via the online complaint form. For more information on scams targeting mystery shopping, visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association at: www.mysteryshop.org/avoid-scammers. We ONLY communicate via emails that come from the domain amusementadvantage.com. Please assume any communication that comes from any other type of free email account or address such as gmail.com, yahoo.com, etc. to be fraudulent communication.
12/18/2014 – Fraudulent Mystery Shopper/Survey Agent Offers from Career Builder Website:
Our company name is again being used fraudulently for a counterfeit check cashing scam. Someone using the name of Patrick Peters(career@oilycoast.com (760) 440-5454) is contacting shoppers from resume postings on the Career Builder website, offering mystery shopping assignments using our company name and other information fraudulently. We are NOT affiliated with nor have we ever been affiliated with an individual with this name. They will send you a check to cash and then ask you to conduct shops at Wal-Mart and Western Union or other locations. They are trying to involve individuals in cashing fake checks and then sending the money to them. Do not share any personal information with them and report them to the National Consumers League at: www.fraud.org via the online complaint form. For more information on scams targeting mystery shopping, visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association at: www.mysteryshop.org/avoid-scammers. We ONLY communicate via emails that come from the domain amusementadvantage.com. Please assume any communication that comes from any other type of free email account or address such as gmail.com, yahoo.com, etc. to be fraudulent communication. We would never mail a check out before a shop is actually completed and we never conduct any business or complete any shops that involve cashing checks or money orders or other projects with funds in this manner.
2/27/2014 – Fraudulent Survey Taker Job Offers from Indeed Website:
Our company name is again being used fraudulently for a counterfeit check cashing scam. Someone using the name of Lori Small(lorismall109@gmail.com) is contacting individuals from the Indeed job listing website and offering mystery shopping assignments using our company name and other information fraudulently. We are NOT affiliated with nor have we ever been affiliated with an individual with this name. They will send you a check to cash and then ask you to conduct shops at Wal-Mart and Western Union or other locations. They are trying to involve individuals in cashing fake checks and then sending the money to them. We ONLY communicate via emails that come from the domain amusementadvantage.com. Please assume any communication that comes from any other type of free email account or address such as gmail.com, yahoo.com, etc. to be fraudulent communication. We would never mail a check out before a shop is actually completed and we never conduct any business or complete any shops that involve cashing checks or money orders or other projects with funds in this manner.
8/15/2013 – Fraudulent Job Offers from Resumes posted on Craig’s List:
The latest scam that is fraudulently using our company name and other information involves individuals going by the name of Amelia Logan contacting individuals who have posted a resume on Craig’s List and offering employment with our company. We are NOT affiliated with nor have we ever been affiliated with an individual with this name. They will send you a check to cash and then ask you to conduct shops at Wal-Mart and Western Union or other locations. They are trying to involve individuals in cashing fake checks and then sending the money to them. We ONLY communicate via emails that come from the domain amusementadvantage.com. Please assume any communication that comes from any other type of free email account or address such as gmail.com, yahoo.com, etc. to be fraudulent communication. We would never mail a check out before a shop is actually completed and we never conduct any business or complete any shops that involve cashing checks or money orders or other projects with funds in this manner. If you have already received checks or money orders from a scammer, you can report it to the National Consumers League at: www.fraud.org via the online complaint form. For more information on scams targeting mystery shopping, visit the Mystery Shopping Providers Association at: www.mysteryshop.org/avoid-scammers.
11/20/2011 – Fraudulent Job Offers on Craig’s List:
An individual or individuals posting opportunities on Craig’s List and other locations using email addresses from the domain “amusementadvantageinc.com” offering jobs, and mystery shopping opportunities is committing fraud. They are using many names including Paul Shane, Danielle Leon and many different email addresses. They will state that you will be shopping at Wal-Mart and Western Union or other locations. They are trying to involve individuals in cashing fake checks and then sending the money to them. We do NOT use the domain amusementadvantageinc.com as we always useamusementadvantage.com with no inc in the address. Please consider any communication from these individuals as a scam or fraudulent behavior. We never conduct any business or complete any shops that involve cashing checks or money orders or other projects with funds in this manner. We also do not conduct shops at Wal-Mart or other regular retail locations. All our assignments are related to attractions or tourism in some manner. Please share any information regarding such scams with the Federal Trade Commission and the Mystery Shopping Providers Association. 6/2/2009 – A company is posting messages on Craig’s List using the address amusementadvantage@gmail.com offering mystery shopping work involving check cashing. These postings are fraudulent and not placed by Amusement Advantage, Inc. We do not utilize any gmail or yahoo accounts for any communication. All communication from Amusement Advantage would original from our domain, amusementadvantage.com. Amusement Advantage, Inc. NEVER conducts mystery shops involving check cashing, money orders or money transfers. Amusement Advantage, Inc. also never asks shoppers to send us money except in cases of reimbursement for tickets lost/used by shoppers on an assignment in accordance with our Independent Contractor Agreement. If someone posing as a representative of Amusement Advantage, Inc. ever contacts you with a cashier’s check, email us before you try to cash the check, it is certainly a scam! Please report any fraudulent activity to Google, Craig’s List, the Federal Trade Commission and our company immediately. For more information please click the link above to view an article on the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) website.
5/24/2011 – Fake Check Scams: Do Not be Fooled!
12/14/2005 – Beware of Ads/Letters Promising Quick Returns for Cashing a Check