GfK and Ipsos Set Record Straight

Two global agencies have issued statements about legal issues. GfK Mystery Shopping's name was used by a third party defrauding consumers in North America, while Ipsos' IIS division has reacted to 'defamatory' assertions of breaches of employment law on a Romanian web site.

GfK has this week released a statement concerning unauthorized and illegal use of its name by an individual or individuals using false advertisements and bogus cashier's checks to defraud would-be mystery shoppers. The scam asks consumers to mystery shop a money transfer service by cashing a check and wiring the money back to a specified address, typically outside the country, and promises them a percentage of the original cashier's check as payment. The check then bounces several days later, leaving the consumer liable for the entire amount of the international transfer - typically between $2,500 and $3,500.

GfK advises consumers to disregard future letters or classified ads that promise fast cash and free gifts by performing mystery shopping and service evaluations. Don Simons, MD of GfK Mystery Shopping comments: 'We are actively working with the Mystery Shopping Providers Association and appropriate local, state and federal authorities to put an end to this scheme.'

Together with trade association the MSPA, GfK advises prospective shoppers that they should never need to pay a fee to become a mystery shopper, and should disregard anything that asks for it. Legitimate companies never ask shoppers to send a check or cash advance, and if a company promises to pay through check cashing or money transfer, it may be a scam. More information and tips are at www.gfkamerica.com/mysteryshopping and www.mysteryshop.org .

GfK Mystery Shopping is a division of GfK Custom Research, North America (www.gfkamerica.com ).


Meanwhile Ipsos Interactive Services (IIS) says it is the victim of false allegations published in an article on a Romanian 'investigative journalism' site, www.dezvaluiri.ro . The article claims that IIS is 'flagrantly violating the Romanian labour law and is benefiting from illegal working', and details the case of a 26-year old man allegedly employed for 5 days by the company before being required to leave for 'asking too many questions' (sic). Since the piece was published, a link has been anonymously e-mailed to hundreds of press and MR agency contacts around the globe.

IIS Europe Communication Director Raluca Nicolae says that all the accusations are false and the firm has initiated legal proceedings to sue the electronic publication for defamation. An official statement has been distributed to reassure business partners and employees.

The statement reads: 'We have more than 600 employees in Romania and our labor contracts are very solid and checked periodically by the Romanian ministry of labor. Ipsos Interactive Services fully complies with Romanian law and all other applicable local labor legislation throughout the world where the company conducts activities.'

IIS is online at www.ipsos-interactive.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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