There are hundreds of legitimate mystery shopping companies who are always on the lookout for qualified and able-minded new shoppers. Finding legitimate shop assignments is as easy as filling out the mystery shopping companies’ online applications.
While it may take some time to complete the applications, you are typically approved as a shopper immediately and can start requesting shops that same day. It is generally fairly easy to become a shopper, and becoming a shopper requires no up-front money.
Unfortunately, there are also numerous scams that lure shoppers in with the hint of fast cash, or help in finding more shops. People lured into these scams have lost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars.
There are ways to spot a scam to avoid being duped. Here are some tips to protect yourself:
- Some scams offer certifications for a high fee, promising their certifications will win you top-dollar shops. While it’s true that there are certifications available for mystery shopping, really analyze who you’re getting the certification from. The certifications recognized by the vast majority of legitimate mystery shops are available through the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MPSA). You can find their certification information online at www.mysteryshop.org. However, these certifications are not required to do most shops.
- Likewise, you don’t need to pay to get a list of mystery shop companies. The MPSA also publishes a list of companies for free. If you are questioning whether to sign up with a certain mystery shop company, check with the MPSA first to ensure they are legitimate.
- While some shops require a purchase of a small item, which you generally are permitted to return, you should not need to run checks through your account. For instance, one scam that has been making headlines over the last few years is one in which a company sends you a check to cash, and then you are supposed to write a check for that same amount out of your account immediately. Unfortunately, the check that you deposited will bounce, and the check you mailed out will not. Some people have lost literally thousands of dollars this way. Remember, mystery shopping is a legitimate job. While it is generally a fun job, if the pay sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t legitimate.
If you’ve been a victim to a scam, or if you have been contacted by an illegitimate company, be sure to report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Helping the FTC crack down on these scam artists will prevent your fellow mystery shoppers from falling victim to a scam.
This is very helpful information for new shoppers and seasoned as well. Thank you
Dear Ms. Littleton
I have just received the attached email and it sure reads like one of those Nigerian scam letters. Can you verify this info please.
“Alan Walsh”
Thank You
Carlton Nipper
Watch out for the Money-Order /Money Gram scam.
NEVER wire any money as part of a mystery shopping assignment. NEVER cash any large checks you recieve from a mystery shopping company. It is fake!
Read this:
http://www.mysteryshoponline.com/blog/scam-warning-2/
Hi, I received a $3500.00 or $4500.00 check from a company wanting me to do mystery shopping for them. They said it was a payment in advance for work to be assigned. I never cashed it, although I was tempted to. I still have it, tucked away, and still hope to investigate it to see if it’s real…. Has anyone out there been duped by this? BEWARE
I was duped by the money gram scam, but i thank God for my bank who put the check on hold for 5 days to make sure it was a real check…GO WAMU!! I also wanted to thank the owners of this site, it is very informing.
So does anybody know anything about these work at home jobs like stuffing envelopes for cash, I was thinking that would be a good way to fill in some of my down time from mystery shopping? Are there any of those that aren’t scams & are there any you don’t have to pay to join?
I had a friend who tried the envelope business. She sent them $20 dollars to get started and never recieved any envelopes. Bottom line she was scamed, look out for the ones that ask for money.
I am just reading this web sight but i am very glad i see this now because i receive a check for 4998.00 and was told to cash it or deposit it and then call them back and ask for kim and then they will tell me the next step it was from a mystery shopper call “Shoppers Critique”.I took the the check to my bank and they told me at the bank that the check was no good.They broke my task down and money down and everything.They also send me a letter telling me what to do with the check.
I have now sitting in Nigerian banks, Benin Banks, London banks over 800 million dollars just waiting for me to send courier fees, diplomatic fees, transfer fees and other money. When I respond and tell them that I will not pay anything for their checks, they keep telling me how much i have won in the lottery etc. The latest is a letter from our FBI saying to only do business with “legitimate” people and they tell me who these are. I forward these letters to the FBI and never get back a response from them. I guess these fraudsters are not a top priority for our government. Think of the fools who fall for this stuff and lose all their money.
Does anyone have any info on this company :Top Consult Co., Inc. I received an invintation to join this co. but some of the promises seem to goo to be true. Thanks
The company name (Top Consult Co, Inc) is not familiar.
Let us know what you find out!