1. Forums
  2. Mystery Shopping Discussion

Does anyone use fake names? If so, how do you go about it?

April 23, 2026 04:26AM
I've been doing some gym visits of different kinds and two of them were owned by the same person - not just the same franchise, but the same person owned two different franchise stores, with the same staff working at both. I went to the two gyms one day after each other and used my real name and real address, and the second one were absolutely perfect, suspiciously-so, almost like the first one told the second one that I was a mystery shopper.

Because of that, and in consultation with the mystery shopping company, I have decided that for my next one I am going to use a fake name and fake address, but my real phone number, but I'm not sure how to go about it.

I thought that I could base it on celebrities and then change it a bit, but then what if I forget what my fake name is? What if they call me and I answer the phone with my actual name? Well, I usually just say "Hello" as I get so many spammers.

Does anyone use fake names? How do you go about doing it?
Reply
Log In
x

Create an Account or Log In

Membership is free. Simply choose your username, type in your email address, and choose a password. You immediately get full access to the forum.

Already a member? Log In.

April 23, 2026 04:47AM
Planet Fitness shops in the US require the use of your real name. Due to insurance liability, they can ask for your driver's license. Since you don't know in advance if they will, you need to start with your real name. The MSC that shops them requires that you use your real name.

Edited to add that my reply refers to the US.

Shopping South Jersey, Southeast Pennsylvania, and Delaware above the canal since 2008


Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 04/23/2026 04:48AM by myst4au.
Reply
April 23, 2026 06:15AM
nope, I use my own name, every day, all of the time. If I can't, I can't do the shop. I'm a terrible liar.
Reply
April 23, 2026 11:50AM
So I should use my real name? Okay.
Reply
April 23, 2026 02:50PM
I'd use the name of someone I know rather than creating one. IMO, that's easier to remember. An elderly relative is ideal since they aren't likely to pop into the gym and maybe the comedy associated with the visualization of them doing exactly that will help you remember who you picked?
Reply
April 23, 2026 02:52PM
maybe the name of your sister or mom.
Reply
April 23, 2026 09:29PM
I would go through the alphabet, A to Z, with first names. I would use my own surname or those of other relatives.

Be careful using fake names or the names of deceased family for your loved ones on assisted living/memory care shops. The stakes are high--the company is looking for residents from whom they're expecting to receive $10,000 to $20,000 or more per month. So they're likely to do a Google search for any name you give--yours and your loved one's.
Reply
April 23, 2026 10:45PM
OZ, I have to ask.. Do you understand that the greatest portion of the folks on this forum (as in 90% of us) are in the USA? And we have zero knowledge of how or who to shop for or mystery shopping companies in Australia.
Reply
April 23, 2026 11:08PM
There is one bank shop where I have to use a fake name every time (it’s just an inquiry about accounts, no need to show ID). For those I have been going through the alphabet for last names - and stick to the same letter for each round with variations of my first name or random first names. I also do assisted living comparison shops that require the same though not as many. My last name is a color with an ending. I have used different ending or a different color or a different color with a different ending combination.
Reply
April 23, 2026 11:13PM
There is one bank shop where I have to use a fake name every time (it’s just an inquiry about accounts, no need to show ID). For those I have been going through the alphabet for last names - and stick to the same letter for each round with variations of my first name or random first names. I also do assisted living comparison shops that require the same though not as many. My last name is a color with an ending (“berg”). I have a used different ending or a different color without ending, or a different color with a different ending combination.
Reply
April 24, 2026 12:11AM
My earlier answer related to the requirements of a specific fitness chain. There are many shops that I do where the MSC requires a different name each time/location. I use my college roommate's name and names of classmates. All names thst I am used to hearing.

Shopping South Jersey, Southeast Pennsylvania, and Delaware above the canal since 2008
Reply
April 24, 2026 01:51AM
Since Oliver Clothesoff and Seamore Buttz is taken, I am going to use Grant Wood.
Reply
April 24, 2026 03:16AM
I use a name similar to mine that folks sometimes mistakenly use. Once I said Rhona and forgot until I showed banker my id showing I am Rho. I must have turned bright red before ending the shop ASAP. Having lived in the same town 40 years I hesitate to use a fake name because I worry someone I know will walk into the store.

Using a real phone # is no problem if your voice mail msg. doesn't use any names.
Reply
April 24, 2026 03:33AM
They've said that I don't need to use a fake name for the next 7 gym visits at 3 different gyms, as they are owned by different people. But I will need to use a fake address for 2 of them that are nowhere near any workplaces. For the others, I can just say that I work nearby.
Reply
Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login