@LisaSTL
I can understand... I didn't fall for it, but a few years ago, some medical bills were really piling up, I was approached with a scam based around an ad I put up for personal tutoring. The check came and it was tempting.. I did not know that the bank would make the funds available before the check was confirmed, so I did not understand how it could be a scam. After all, if I got to put the money in the bank first and wait until it cleared, where was the danger? Plus, it was in response to my ad. Plus, I needed the the money. I totally felt the temptation.
My thinking was, "What if this is real? If I report it as a scam and it's real, I would ruin the opportunity. Good things can happen to good people, yes?" I called the bank upon which the check was drawn and was able to learn that it was fraudulent. It's not a stretch to think that somebody might fall for it. If we look at folks who are getting into mystery shopping, we are talking about a group with a large percentage of folks who *need* to earn money and are stressed. This makes new and prospective shoppers especially vulnerable.
Hard work builds character and homework is good for your soul.