I had a different experience in being identified as a mystery shopper.
I was scheduled to do a Papa John's shop at a location near me. Since I am not in the delivery area it was to be a carryout shop. As I was getting things together to do the shop, I was called by one of the schedulers and asked if I could do an additional shop at that same location. The additional shop was for their new Pulled Pork Pizza. I agreed to the shop since I was going there anyway.
When I called the PJ location to place my order, the Order Taker asked if I wanted to try their Summer Special and get two large pizzas (plus extras) for $24. I said that I would like to do that an ordered one of the standard pizzas for the scheduled shop. Then I told him that I wanted to try the "Pulled Pork" pizza. He said that their delivery truck had not left the ingredients for that particular pizza, so would I like to try something else. I told him no, instead I would just take the standard pizza that I ordered and not take the Summer Special. He asked for my telephone number and confirmed the order.
The next day I received an email from the Quality Control person at the MS company telling me that I had been identified as a MS, so I could no longer do shops for PJ's. I figure that the only way they could have identified me is the fact that I have done about 3-4 shops at that particular location, they had my name and phone number, I asked for a pizza that was new to the company, so they put two and two together and identified me as a shopper.
You try to do a favor for a scheduler, and because they have not done their homework, you get nailed! What a Bummer!!
Have a great week,
Ed Wood