lahna I feel your pain. but, you are going to find it hard to get paid without it. (might find it hard to get work, too). Bare is definitely safe. In fact, even the PITA companies that drive us crazy are safe. Before you sign up with a company,double check here to make sure it is legit. You can type in the name of the company in the search box and all the posts on that MSC will come up. There is also a list of MSCs on here.
And,since you are new, let me be the first of many to tell you
Mystery shopping companies will not send you checks to cash or payment before the shop. They will not send money via Western Union and ask you to deposit the money as part of a shop.
Welcome.
Jersey