IPSOS asking for identification

I just received an email and the subject reads, "Mystery Shop Account Authentication" and a Bill from IPSOS is asking that I send a copy of my passport or ID stating that the IT department noticed some irregularities. Did anyone else get this? I don't think I am comfortable sending that to him. I responded and asked if there is somewhere on the website where I can upload it.

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.

More Discussions About Ipsos Mystery Shopping (All Companies)

Bill Carden is legitimate and so is IPSOS. Assuming that the message is from him, why not provide the requested scan? His e-mail is bill.carden@ipsos.com. Many MSCs require identification. Sometimes by their own policy and other times owing to client requirements.

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/23/2018 02:10AM by Rousseau.

I am fine providing the scan but I thought usually I could just upload it to my profile. It just seemed weird to me after years of being with them.

I'd be skeptical, too. Email that address Rousseau gave you and ask if they really did ask for your passport before you send any information out. You have to be really careful with identification these days.

Happy Camper

There might be some reason they suspect you are engaging in some sort of fraud, like having multiple accounts under different names/email addresses.

Don't! Don't do it until you speak/communicate with someone at Ipsos at a known email or phone #.

Agree. Scams are way, way too sophisticated, and getting more so daily.

Hello shoppers – I would like to give a little more background on this request, which is specific to multiple accounts associated with a single IP address . While we understand there are legitimate reasons for this, our quality and security process requires confirmation that these accounts are indeed associated with unique individuals and are not held by the same shopper. A separate email will be sent today, asking the relevant parties to contact our program manager, we will not require sensitive information to be sent via email.

HPerez, it would have been nice if you would have identified yourself, and your relationship with IPSOS.

@hperez wrote:

Hello shoppers – I would like to give a little more background on this request, which is specific to multiple accounts associated with a single IP address . While we understand there are legitimate reasons for this, our quality and security process requires confirmation that these accounts are indeed associated with unique individuals and are not held by the same shopper. A separate email will be sent today, asking the relevant parties to contact our program manager, we will not require sensitive information to be sent via email.

In order to create multiple accounts, wouldn't an individual have to create a unique SS #, bank account, Pay Pal account, aside from other personal information like street address, for each account? Doesn't such information get flagged if it is repeated, for example, a SS #?

Hi James,
Thanks for reaching out. I apologize if I didn't introduce myself before; my name is Horacio Perez and I am an Account Manager at Ipsos Mystery Shopping in the US.

At Ipsos we don't ask shoppers to provide bank account, only PayPal; and frankly speaking an individual can create as many PayPal and email accounts almost without any limitation. So, believe me, some people is very inventive when it comes to this kind of stuff. And regarding SS#, it is a very sensitive situation and all the data gets encrypted as soon as it is captured, our system identifies duplicates, but again, people are very creative. At the end of the day, we want to make sure that no shops are taken away from honest and honorable people.

As I mentioned before, a follow up email with instructions will be sent to the individual accounts.

Thanks,

Hi, you are absolutely right. I just identified myself in a follow-up post, part of this thread.
Have a wonderful day,

@hperez wrote:

Hi James,
Thanks for reaching out. I apologize if I didn't introduce myself before; my name is Horacio Perez and I am an Account Manager at Ipsos Mystery Shopping in the US.

At Ipsos we don't ask shoppers to provide bank account, only PayPal; and frankly speaking an individual can create as many PayPal and email accounts almost without any limitation. So, believe me, some people is very inventive when it comes to this kind of stuff. And regarding SS#, it is a very sensitive situation and all the data gets encrypted as soon as it is captured, our system identifies duplicates, but again, people are very creative. At the end of the day, we want to make sure that no shops are taken away from honest and honorable people.

As I mentioned before, a follow up email with instructions will be sent to the individual accounts.

Thanks,

Ha...it has never occurred to me to do that. Thanks for the quick response.

The way I view it is, if your sensitive information (passport, Driver's license) is worth $5/$10/$15, then go ahead and upload it to the site or give it to some stranger to the Internet. I personally would move on and find another shop. This is the exact reason a majority of these sites take EIN vs SSN because SSN is classified as sensitive data.

Hi HocusPocus,
There are multiple reasons why MSP's are required to keep track of SSN. One of the main ones is the taxes regulations in the US. While I agree with you and wouldn't trust any person to receive my personal information without the proper basis, there's strict regulations for the institutions handling this kind of information. if you ask me, I would stick only to companies certified by National/International organs such as the MSPA.

If you have questions or concerns about how your personal information is handled, please feel free to send an email to Mystery.Shopping@Ipsos.com, we'll be very happy to assist you with any concerns you might have.

Have a great day,
Horacio Perez,

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/24/2018 07:45PM by hperez.

Horacio,

I know why MSCs need SSNs. I basically posted that I submitted my EIN instead of my personal SSN
because I have concerns about privacy. I'm sorry, but you cannot guarantee me that your server or email cannot be hacked simply because you folks are a member of MSPA. Consequently, I prefer not to share my passport nor my Driver's license and I will not under any circumstances upload these information to a server or email them to a scheduler or account manager. I would sooner decline a shop rather than give these information up.

If you want to do a face time, google hangout or skype and verify my name, address and birthday then that's fine. There are other ways of verifying information other that uploading them to your server or emailing them to you.

~ cheers

Hi HocusPocus,
Thanks for reaching out. I'd totally respect your decision and every MSP should do the same; all I can tell you is that when we collect personal information online, we do it through secured servers that fulfill the established norms. Of course there's no unbeatable measure, but we take security very seriously being a global market research company. Again, my suggestion is to stick to renown companies that have a remarkable presence in the market and can assure the standards of security; as an independent contractor you have the total right to decide.

Again, if you are a Mystery Shopper for Ipsos and want to know more about how your information is protected, please reach out to the email address I mentioned earlier and we'll be happy to assist you on any specifics you might need.

Best Regards,

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

Click here to login

IPSOS asking for identification

Create an Account or Log In

Official List of Mystery Shopping Companies

Mystery Shopper Magazine