On the home page of a local chapter of the Better Business Bureau, the BBB itself says that mystery shopping is one of the biggest scams targeting people who want to work from home today. Clicking their link, you find an article that lists mystery shopping as a whole as a scam rather than the scam artists targeting mystery shopping. This unfortunate and erroneous article posted by one of the most reputable business organizations in the country is indicative of how scam artists are giving the industry as a whole a bad name, and are causing more and more would-be mystery shoppers to shy away from mystery shopping as a job.
The fact is that, as so many mystery shoppers are aware, there are dozens of excellent providers you can work for, but there are quite a few scams that target mystery shoppers, too. As mystery shoppers, we must do what we can to protect ourselves and keep these scams from further damaging the reputation our industry has with the general public. So what do you need to know about scams?
Pay to Work? As a mystery shopper, you should absolutely never have to pay money to find work. You should be able to sign up to join a provider without paying a few, search job boards without paying a fee, and select and perform those assignments. The only thing you should have to pay out of pocket for is a (possible) required purchase that is required of each assignment. As a mystery shopper, you are tasked with commenting on all aspects of service you receive, and this includes throughout the entire purchase transaction. However, most providers will reimburse you for your purchase or will allow you to return your purchase for a refund.
Research Your Providers. If you every have any doubts about the legitimacy of a company you are considering working with, you have the absolute ability to hop online and get feedback straight from the den. You simply have to post a quick question on the online mystery shopping forum, and you can get back dozens of results from other mystery shoppers. They can tell if you a provider is legitimate or not, as well as other valuable information such as how quickly they pay, if they are easy or hard on reports, and so forth. The forums are a great resource for ensuring that you work with not just legitimate providers but also great providers who are worth your time and effort.
Email Requests. If you get an email request from an unknown company to do an amazing job, chances are that is probably scam. Many scammers are sending emails directly to mystery shoppers, and they are using company names that sound similar to the names of real providers. If you get one of these emails and aren’t sure about the offer, go to the company website (not through the link in the email, but through your own internet query), and locate the phone number of that company. Then call the company up and ask to speak with the person sending the email to you. Keep in mind that the email itself may have a fake phone number and a phony email address or website link, too. Most importantly, if you ever recieve a large check in the mail as part of an assignment, the check is fake! Do not deposit it! Do not wire any money!
As with anything in life, if you find yourself traveling down a route that you are not comfortable with or are getting a bad feeling about it, chances are there is a good reason for this. Follow your instincts and listen to your gut. There are enough legitimate providers and great assignments out there that you should not feel obligated to do any work that you aren’t getting a good feeling about.
I received a check from $2,950.50 It said Continental Bank Englewood Co. No address, no phone number…when I looked for Englewood Co./Continental Bank…there is NO SUCH BANK…When I looked up UTC Management Service 480 West Park Drive Grand Junction, CO 81505….no such company…I am supposed to go to Western Union..no address….and send the check to the address…which is NOT listed anywhere.Than I am supposed to go to Sears.JC Penney, (I did not know they merged!!!) and Walgreen’s. The FORM is a small 3 X 3 Box…that lists Quality of service, appearance of staff and site, service, attitude,cleanliness,overall perception, sales skills, merchandising..for each one..and I am supposed to check 1,2,3,4……Then send it to the company (with no legal address) AM I STUPID? No…..Unbelievable how people try these stupid scams….on people who are desperate for money..and then they lose their own savings….I do not know who to report this to, since there is no valid information….phone number, address, www site or e mail that works..The phone number listed on the letter is an overseas number…And I think it is awful that the BBB writes such bad things about mystery shopping. I have been doing it for over 10 years…Love it…..and enjoy the money I earn from doing work I enjoy doing..though, it could be more for most companies! Phoebe Lou Roome
Someone actually mailed a check to my father who has been dead for 31 years. After i stopped laughing, I called the post office where the person with whom I spoke told me to rip it up and throw it away. when I do get an e-mail from mystery shopping companies with whom I do not have a relationship I delete the e-mail quickly.
I have received checks so far for a total of $6,000. Several of them are certified money orders, and the rest of them are personal/business checks. I am trying to find out if there is a Fraud Unit with my local police so they can catch these people – one piece of advice to everyone!!
IF IT SEEMS TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE, IT IS A FRAUD. YOU WILL NEVER GET PAID $200 AND UP FOR A SIMPLE SHOP.
I think one of the problems with mystery shopping is that it is, well…a mystery. Who wants to tell the entirety of Los Angeles County how to become a shopper when that would make it even harder for US to get jobs. Unfortunately, the air of secrecy is what makes it easy for scammers to get to people. If people knew the correct info to begin with they wouldn’t fall for the scammers tricks.
I’m not surprised that the BBB would publish such a poorly researched article, as they were just caught last year in some fraudulent behavior of their own. I also agree completely that secrecy is part of the problem. Some mystery shopping companies, such as Confero, have excellent sites that promote the truth about mystery shopping, including one on Facebook. There you can find excellent warnings.
I just spoke with the FBI this morning about fraud. If you receive such scams in the mail, you should take everything to the Post Office General, and give it to him. The Post Office works with the FBI with such things as receiving checks and scams in the mail. If you get emails, they told me pass this on to everyone that you are to ignore them. Do not email them back. Don’t send money. Don’t do ANYTHING! Delete, Delete, Delete. These scammers are so vast, and from so many different countries that it is impossible for them to stop what they are doing. So….
MAIL-Goes to Post Office General in your city.
EMAIL-DELETE IT!
I have just received a lrge check from shopping spys inc. My pay will be $250.00 for doing the 4 shops. Be carefull.