Many mystery shoppers will enjoy working for years in the business without running into a scam at all. Others, however, seem to spot them with every turn of the head. Mystery shoppers, unfortunately, are targeted by scam artists in large part because of the virtual nature of the business. You may never meet your providers face to face, and many mystery shoppers correspond with them only via email as needed. This leaves plenty of opportunity for a scam artist to pose as a provider and try to lure your hard-earned cash from you.
While scams in the business are somewhat rare, the fact is that a scam artist can steal hundreds and even thousands of dollars from you. So you definitely need to keep your eyes open and your wits about you to prevent yourself from falling victim to a scheme. Here are some signs that your mystery shopping assignment may be a scam:
Don’t Pay To Work. Mystery shopping providers abound, and dozens of great companies are eager for you to sign up and work for them as a mystery shopper. Legitimate companies are easy to locate. You simply need to look at the Mystery Shopping Providers Association’s website for a list of legitimate providers. These providers will not require you to pay money to work for them, although some may make you take a test beforehand. Likewise, you should not have to pay for a of providers either.
Keep in mind, however, that some actual assignments may require you to make a small purchase with a minimum dollar amount, but largely there will be a reimbursement for such a purchase included in your shopper’s pay. The assignment details will provide you with this information, and if you aren’t comfortable with a certain required purchase, simply pass that assignment up and keep looking for another one.
Trust Your Instincts. Mystery shopping is fairly unskilled job. Just about anyone can do it, and there really isn’t an education requirement to work with most providers, provided you can write complete sentences and read the assignment requirements. Many shoppers love this job because you can earn money around your other professional and personal obligations, but they don’t expect to get rich being a mystery shopper. So that being said, if you run across an assignment that promises to pay you hundreds of dollars for very little time and effort, you have to trust your instincts that something is wrong. Mystery shopping isn’t brain surgery, and you can’t expect a real assignment to offer such a high pay.
There are some assignments that offer pay in the $100 range, but these may require you to open a new bank or credit card account, or something similar. These more involved assignments will pay more for your effort.
The bottom line is that if you aren’t comfortable with an assignment or feel something is just off about it, pass it up. With hundreds or thousands of your own dollars at risk, it just isn’t worth it to pursue an assignment you aren’t sure about. Then take some time to warn other mystery shoppers about this potential scam by posting on the forums. You should also alert authorities to the possibility of a new scam so they can look into the matter from a legal angle.
As some of you already know merchandising can pay more than mystery shopping and can be obtained from the same companies that you already are shopping for. Many of the clients do require a back ground check and drug screen that you may o0r may not have to pay for but usually will be reimbursed if you do. This should not be confused with a scam.
THANK YOU FOR YOR GOOD INFORMATION.I HAVE NOT DONE A JOB YET .BUT IN THE FUTURE I WOULD LOOK FOR THOSE SCAMS
I signed up with shadow shopper had a fee of 4.95 then had to pay 37.00 for 3 months I get emails but there never seems to be much work available I signed in on lots of job board assignments but very few has contacted me via email but no offers is this normal it has been about 5 weeks since I joined
I used Shadow Shopper a long time ago..and NEVER got one job from them…I KNOW that you SHOULD NOT pay a fee to work for a company..That is ridiculous….There are hunderds..and more…of fine, honorable companies to work for..they have schedulers who give you the information you need..editors who let you know HOW to write your narratives…so you learn every time you submit a report..and they PAY you when they say they will ..so stick with the REAL companies….I have been a shopper for 8 years…it works very well with my very busy life ( as an actess, model..for commercials.) so acting out various scenarioes as a shopper is part of my LIFE…I put the steady stream small checks I get into my ING account and I am make your own schedule,meet nice people…learn how to write the best narratives… go to the nicest shops and malls…it is a really fun job….so just DO IT..and do NOT pay anyone who says they want to hire you!!!! Phoebe
sad but true. a friend of mine is in trouble now over a bogus check that his bank approved and then in 24 hrs. rejected it. he’s stuck for over $1500. i told him not to believe or mess w/it but when his bank approved the check, he went for it. i have received emails and bogus checks in the mail offered b4 doing a job. i knew better. i am a ss and merchandiser and make several hundreds a month. i’m only working for a handful of companies but since getting married, my husband and i are going to expand and really work it. i’m too old 2b working for somebody else and looking forward to retiring. this will keep us both busy and retired at the same time. secret shopping can and does work.
Hi
Regina Run. Never pay a Co. to do work for them. I would remove that name from list. Phoebe is right, Run!!!!
I was surprised to read that shadowshoppper charged a fee. I have been with the company for a few years and has never been charged a fee. I have never been assigned a job either. Most times the location I live in is already filled. I spend quite a while on line. The past year has been difficult for me to receive any shops and the pay is very small.
I just received a shop from shop n check worldwide, they are wanting me to cash a check at my bank, then spend $14.00, then send the money to another shopper in Dubai, they also say it system $200.00 for this shop. This us my first shop with this company, and this has red flags all over it… I am to shop Walmart and the western union. Please help.