I received this e-mail today from this company and it looks like a scam to me. Has anyone else ever heard of them?
Date:16th January,2009
Emailsurvey.manager15@gmail.com)

"We have a mystery shopping assignment in your area and we would like
you to participate"

Secret Shopper(R) is accepting applications for qualified individuals
to become mystery shoppers. It's fun and rewarding, and you choose
when and where you want to shop. You are never obligated to accept an
assignment.

There is no charge to become a shopper and you do not need previous
experience. After you sign up, you will have access to training
materials via e-mail, fax or postal mail.

ABOUT US
Secret Shopper(R) is the premier mystery shopping company, serving
clients across America and Canada with over 500,000 shoppers available
and ready to help businesses better serve their customers. Continual
investment in the latest internet and communication technologies
coupled with over 16 years of know-how means working with Secret
Shopper(R) is a satisfying and rewarding experience.

Secret shopping as seen on ABC NEWS, NBC NEWS, L.A.TIMES.Stores and
organizations such as The Gap, Walmart, Pizza Hut, and Bank. One
amongst many others pay for Secret Shoppers to shop in their
establishments and report their experiences. On top of being paid for
shopping you are also allowed to keep purchases for free. Secret
Shopper(R) NEVER charge fees to the shopper. Training, tips for
improvement, and shopping opportunities are provided free to
registered shoppers. Mystery shoppers are either paid a pre-arranged
fee for a particular shop, a reimbursement for a purchase or a
combination of both.Secret Shopper(R) has available for immediate
assignment an inspection of the customer service of any walmart in
your area. You are to shop secretly and invest just $10. This fee will
be paid upfront. During this shop you will visit the location and make
several observations as regards the customer service.

You will be required to interact with the shop clerk.

You may conduct the shop alone or as a couple.

The assignment will pay $200.00/ Assignment

Kindly Fill Out the application form below and we will get back to you
shortly with the assignment :

PERSONAL INFORMATION:

First Name:
Last Name:
Street Address:
City, State, Zip Code:
Cell Phone Number:
Home Phone Number:

AVAILABILITY:

Days/Hours Available

Monday .............................................
Tuesday .............................................
Wednesday .............................................
Thursday .............................................
Friday .............................................
Saturday .............................................
Sunday .............................................

Hours Available: from _______ to ______

We await your urgent response.

Thank you for your help.

We look forward to working with you.

Sincerely,
Frank James
Secret Shopper(R)

Thanks for any feed back, shopping Tampa Bay Claudia

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/18/2009 11:45PM by iClaudia.

SCAM

The assignment will pay $200.00/ Assignment ???

Sure, when pigs fly!

Legitimate company's will have a website you need go to, both for information, and for you to create a profile, not ask for your info in an email.


Secret Shopper® is the registered trademark for mystery shopping services provided by Sights on Service, Inc.
©2004 Sights on Service, Inc.; 620 Mendelssohn Ave North, Suite 190; Minneapolis, MN 55427

Also
[secretshoppers.ORG] ;
[www.secretshopper.COM] ;

[www.secretshopperCOMPANY.com] Now is aboutfacecorp.com
[www.aboutfacecorp.com]

I've shopped with secretshopper.com about a year and a half. The shops have ranged from reimbursements only to $25 und upwards. Good communication, pay as stated.

Scammers usually use legitimate ms company names. Many legit companies have dealt w/this. Service Intelligence was one of them.

Never would you get $200 to do that kind of shop......and like Steve pointed out,
legit companies have you register on their site......sign ICAs, etc.
Another indication it is a scam is they state fee will be paid upfront.....yeah, right.......once you send them info.....they will send you a fradulent check/mo and ask you to cash it..........wire them part of it and keep the rest. Then, your bank will be contacting you in a few days to inform you the check is no good and you will have returned check fees in addition to being out whatever amount you send the scammer.

A few people have been victims of this kind of scam........greed is the reason.
If it seems too good to be true,,,,,,,,,,,it usually isn't true.