Unfortunately, scams disguised as mystery shopping are out there. Here's what to look for to prevent becoming a victim of such scams and what you can do if you have already been victimized.
What mystery shopping scams look like:
• Emails/ads/letters/text messages/phone calls asking you to cash a money order/check, wire it back, and keep a large fee ($300-$1000) for yourself. Any company that sends you a check in the mail before you do an assignment for them is fraudulent. They will often say it is for a mystery shopping opportunity at Wal-Mart, MoneyGram, or Western Union.
• Emails/ads/letters/text messages/phone calls promising great deals and lucrative opportunities in mystery shopping but require a registration fee or subscription. Many times, these jobs do not exist, but if the job is legitimate, it can be found for free elsewhere. Real companies pay you to complete these projects, not the other way around.
• These "companies" often use names that are similar to existing reputable companies. They do everything they can to appear legitimate (e.g., create fake copies of webpages, use email addresses similar to the company's email address, copy the company's logo/letterhead).
How to prevent becoming a victim:
• Never cash or deposit a money order/check that is issued before completion of an assignment or issued with an expectation to wire some or all of it back.
• Never pay anyone to mystery shop or for mystery shopping information.
• Research the company. Is it part of the MSPA [www.mspa-na.org/]? Are they listed with the Better Business Bureau [www.bbb.org]? Ask about it on [www.mysteryshopforum.com].
• Sign up with legitimate companies. Some places you can find them at include:
o [www.mysteryshopforum.com]
o www.prestomap.com
o [www.mspa-na.org]
o www.jobslinger.com
What to can do if you are a victim or believe you have received a fake check with a "mystery shopping" offer:
• Contact your local (non-emergency) number for the police.
• Report to the FTC at 877-382-4357 or www.ftc.gov.
• File a complaint with the Internet Fraud Complaint Center www.ic3.gov.
• If you are in Canada, report to the Canadian PhoneBusters at 888-495-8501.