Secret Shopper Law
Nevada statutes define a private investigator as "any person who for any consideration engages in business or accepts employment to furnish, or agree to make or makes any investigation for the purpose of obtaining, information with reference to: 1. The identity, habits, conduct, business, occupation, honesty, integrity, credibility, knowledge, trustworthiness, efficiency, loyalty, activity, movement, wherebouts, affiliations, associations, transactions, acts, reputation or character of any person..." Because this law covers the job description of the secret shopper, the Nevada Attorney General has determined that working as a secret shopper should be regulated by the Private Investigator Licensing Board.
Licensing
Holders of private investigator licenses issued by Nevada can work as secret shoppers. If you don't have a license, you must apply for and receive a work permit through the Private Investigator Licensing Board and be hired by a company that holds a license. Registering with the Private Investigator Licensing Board costs $95 as of July, 2010 and requires supplying fingerprints and submitting to a detailed background check.
Violation
If you are caught working as a secret shopper with proper documentation or a licensed employer you can be subject to the following fine structure: $2,500 for the first offense, $5,000 for the second and $10,000 for the third and subsequent offenses, as of July, 2010.
Shopping Western NY, Northeast and Central PA, and parts of Ohio and West Virginia. Have car will travel anywhere if the monies right.