Is the company "Corporate Research International" a legitimate company?
86716
Yes, CRI is legitimate. Here are some things to look for to determine whether a company is a legitimate mystery shopping company or a scam.\n\nThere are hundreds of legitimate mystery shopping companies in the U.S. alone. The quickest way to determine that a company is NOT legitimate is that they require you to pay a fee to register. Or, they make you sign up for a bunch of phony "offers."\n\nLegitimate mystery shopping companies will ask you to complete a detailed application. This is similar to a job application, however, it may include questions about your age, gender, buying habits, family income, even race. That is because some clients need shoppers who fit a certain profile. \n\nYou will also be asked, on most applications, for your Social Security Number. They need this because they may have to file a 1099 form with the IRS. Before entering your SSN or other sensitive information, check to see that the site is secure. (Look for "https" in the URL, or for the "lock" in the bottom status bar.) If you are still uncomfortable about entering your SSN online, you may be able to enter a dummy number, and provide the real number another way. \n\nI have listed two sites below where you can get feedback about companies. If a company is a member of the Mystery Shopping Providers Association, they are legitimate. Companies are screened before joining, and they sign an ethics pledge. You can also search the archives in the shopper forums at the MSPA site and Volition.com to see what other shoppers have to say about a company.\n\nIn checking on CRI, I found that they do not belong to the MSPA, but shoppers have indicated they have had good experiences with them. So, they are legitimate.\n\nDo not limit yourself to applying to this one company. Apply to as many as you can. Generally, one company can not give you many assignments.\n\nCathy Stucker\nAuthor of "The Mystery Shopper's Manual"\nhttp://www.MysteryShoppersManual.com/
99289
The Better Business Bureau is a great place to check into a company's background.  You can see if people have logged complaints against the company in the past.  Use the link below to go to their website.  Unfortunately, if a company is new, it may not have been reported yet.  \n\nMy rule of thumb is the old adage that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is :)
657285
Better Business Bureau:\n\nhttp://www.bbbonline.org/consumer/\n\nRip Off Report:\n\nhttp://www.badbusinessbureau.com/\n\nAlso I recommend searching the internet for the company name to see if anything derogatory has been written.
1140387
Buyer beware!  I don't know if I would trust anyone with the name EXIT Reality!  Check with the Better Business Bureau online.
748947
Thousands of company may use the name "Royal Express" which may be real or fake. \n\nThis is a very useful website to give you some ideas:-\nhttp://escrow-fraud.com/search.php? \n\nand of course, read their 'small prints".
47098
Sure, lots of online businesses are legit. I run one myself...\n\nWhat about Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Land's End... I can think of a zillion...
1141319
You may consider a a two-prong approach of verifying any overseas supplier. First, look carefully at supplier web-site. There are several criteria to evaluate any business web-site (such as How to evaluate a Business Website at http://www.infobanc.com/articles/faida3_37.htm) \n\nIf the supplier does not have web-site - be extra cautious. The anonymous nature of Internet is a convenient cover for international frauds and scamsters, though not having a web-site does not make any company suspicious. Just be extra cautious !\n\nThe second approach is little expensive. Please visit a reputed third party business evaluator such as Dun and Bradstreet who has offices in most countries including China and Japan. You can find D@B web-site at http://www.dnb.com/us/\n\nD@B has risk assessment services specially for importers like you.\n\nHope the above helps\n\nWarm Regards\n\nAmit
807927
probably not, don't trust anything on the internet.  If you want something real go to a real store that has proof of manufaturing that kind of thing.
48920
I think you mean "legitimate" instead of "valid." There is no central web site that tracks the legitimacy of a web site. If it looks even slightly fishy, don't give them your email unless you want a lot of spam. If you still want to try it, quickly create a new Yahoo account (free) and give them that email address - you don't have to bother even using the address again.
392986
Well any company that asks for money for the privilege of working for them, raises some serious fraudulent questions to me. \n\nJust saw their site..i would advise NOT to do it. Their site isn't very well done really either.
1105372
A scam as in, not worth the money, or that they take money for products they never deliver?  There's really no way to know other than to inquire whether they have a business license, are incorporated, or whatever.  Are they registered with the better business bureau.  Has the FTC received complaints about them?\n\nIf you're really concerned about them being scammers, then it would be good to contact them, and see if they respond.  Otherwise, it seems they sell coupon and discount books and memberships. There is nothing new or illegal about this business.
103110
I'm not aware of this particular company, but to the extent that it claims that it can help you recover long lost property belonging to you or your family, these are usually scams.  Before you give this company any money or personal information, you will want to contact the Better Business Bureau AND the Texas Attorney General's Office to see what records they have on such a company.  You will also want to contact the Texas Secretary of State, which should handle business registrations for legitimate businesses operating in Texas.  If the business is listed with the Texas AG's Office, it is likely not a legitimate business since the attorneys general in all states keep records on bad guys whom they have had to investigate.  If it is listed with the Better Business Bureau, check to see what, if any reports have been made against it.  It may be listed with the BBB because it is a member in good standing, or it may be listed because it has been the subject of negative reporting before.  Best of luck to you.  If you follow this advice before doing business with any unfamiliar company or agency, you will likely not be scammed.  I am including links to all three agencies' web sites.
894969
I'm assuming you just received a job offer via instanthumanresources.com, right? I just received the same exact email regarding Invior Marketing and the only thing that came up in the search engine were your questions so there obviously isn't information about them out there.\n\nHowever...\n\nI then did a search on "Instant Human Resources" and a lot of scam information came up as a result.  They apparently have the "same" job offer through many other fake companies and is a notorious scammer. \n\nSearch Engine Results: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=%22instant+human+resources%22&btnG=Search\n\nAnd I found this article to be particularly informative:\nhttp://www.scam.com/showthread.php?t=7675\n\nI'm glad I decided to look into it further before overeagerly submitting my info. Alas, the job hunt continues!
783697
be very very cautious\nfind out thoroughly whether its a genuine business or not\ndo some research abotut that company\ngod luck
533844
I would check with the better business bureau.  \n\ndo not give ANYONE your bank account information. \n\nit sounds fishy to me...you should check with the police if they have had incidents with this company.
562351
Most likely it's a scam.  You will want to do much research before getting involved in any such companies.
76466
Try asking the Better Business Bureau in your area to see if they are legimiate or not.