I just signed up on isecretshop. One or two things seemed odd (but who am I to judge?) On the listing of MSCs one or two addresses didn't quite match the correct address. But the real red flag as they want to take $9.98 from my PayPal account to verify my identity. I've opened bank accounts and credit cards online and. Why does this platform need me to pa? I've never seen another platform/MSC to ask for money as a requirement to shop. I did see two companies I've worked for through another platform and have asked for their advice.

I hope I'm overly suspicious. But I didn't want to provide enter any more personal information until I verified THEIR identity.

I did not see the platform name listed with the BBB.

The conversations here make me a bit less suspicious.

Why would any legitimate agency or platform do the one thing that the FTC and consumer groups warn is a sign of fraud?

Checking reviews on the internet provided no help. Some claimed it walked on water, others accused it of doing the check deposit scam. If it's legit, competitors will make false accusations. If it's a scam the will post glowing reviews.

I've opened bank accounts and credit cards on the internet. I've opened tax accounts on various state and Federal websites. Verification involves checking the phone and email As an employer, I filled out I-i9's and W4s. I checked that the photo matched and the address matched. What is it they are doing that requires a special outside company? The only time I ever needed to pay was when I had to be fingerprinted by the police for a license.

So, thoughts and reactions from my fellow shoppies?

I was signed up with isecretshop a long time prior to them beginning the background check. I haven't done it yet and still get jobs from the site. I don't believe it's mandatory; it's optional. They just claim they have (or may get) companies that require the background check. I use the site a lot and never had a problem getting paid or anything.

There are other companies I am an IC with that require a background check prior to working with them. I've never had a problem doing it if I really want to work for them.

I believe you are over analyzing this, without sufficient knowledge.

It would have been easier to ask about the requirement than assuming it is not legitimate.

I have been selling cars for 16 years. This year was the first time, as part of my license renewal, that I had to be fingerprinted and have a background check by my State. Fortunately my current company reimburses me for this.

Several clients have opportunities, that to protect their assets, have implemented reasonable security measures. As an IC, we can choose what is a reasonable investment into our business.

Unless you are a licensed private detective, your assessment of addresses being used may not be as comprehensive as possible. ISS provides a proven and reliable platform.

@rickgrossman,
I Secret Shop hosts around 2 dozen individual MSCs. The $9.95 is NOT mandatory at all to shop with ANY of those Companies. I am signed up with several MSCs through iSS (I Secret Shop) and have never had to pay that. It's just a come-on with a promise for "better" jobs...whether or not that ever turns into a reality I'll never know, because I have no intention of signing up for that. But I HAVE had jobs through iSS with various MSCs and have never paid anything. BTW, you may know this, but with iSS, since they are just a platform, for any shops you are interested in, you have to go to that particular Company's website (listed on iSS) and sign the ICA.

I never pay to sign up with any MSC's. Stay away from this one. Your hunch is correct.
The only time was with Nevada shops. Yes, I paid a lot to get the license and application. Did a few shops on the Strip, but none since. The license is still active, maybe I should look into that again. The MSC that I sign up with does not have Las Vegas anymore. Anyone know which MSC or who I should contact? Need to make the money I spent on that license worthwhile.

Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 11/11/2018 08:39PM by BetteL.

I know of one company that requires a background check only for some of the jobs they have. These are usually business inspections for finance companies, banks, or credit checking companies. The clients do require that a background check is done. I can understand the need for background checks for this type of job. They charge for the background check, but after you have completed a couple of calls they reimburse you for the background check.

I've gone around a couple of times with an iSS site administrator about that fee. He could not give me any concrete benefit that I would have by paying for it. I don't think any of the MSC's require it. They have my ID and SS#. That's plenty. I think it's a bit of a gimmick as a way for iSS to make more money.

I believe it a slimy way to get a few bucks off new shoppers. If it becomes a requirement, I'll write to the companies that use iSS and explain that I will not be using the platform any more for that reason. Nobody should have to pay for the right to do this.

Out of all the mystery shop companies I have signed up with and used ISS is the only ones I've had issues to date. I don't use them anymore and I don't feel I'm missing out on anything. There's a lot of other great companies out there and like they all say, you should never have to pay!

I've been shopping with them for a bit, even today, for things like 30-45$ meals and things like that. No problems and nothing like you're taking about. (?) So far I've been paid with Paypal from those shops.

Thanks to everyone's replies. I heard from the two companies listed on IS that I already had a relationship with. The platform is legitimate. Neither had anything to say about the cost other than they did not require it.

It does the question in my mind why a platform that needs to recruit both MSCs and IC's would choose to do something like this, Just about every MSC warns people about ever paying. I still don't know what it is they verify as the MSCs said they don't require it. I've asked and the question was sidestepped. Are they trying to verify my identity? Why? The IRS does not require that. And since a digital document like a photo of a driver's license could be faked, there's no one out there that I've seen who provides any kind of certification of identity online.

It appears that this is a way for the platform to raise funds from ICs in addition to the MSCs. They're not doing a background check here. I might understand the need for that for certain jobs but the only time I've ever seen the need to pay for one was when I applied for the background check myself.

So here's my summary at this point, trying to keep in mind that I may never get all the facts, the rules for this forum, and our life in today's litigious environment. I speak for no one other than myself.

*Ethical.........At this time, I can't give a positive response. And even if the fee is unethical, it may not apply to the rest of the platform.

*Caution Flags: Yes.

*Value for this fee...............So far, I am not sure what is performed, who performs it, what it certifies, and which MSC's want it. Until someone tells me otherwise, it appears you get nothing for the fee. They may set up two classes of ICs in the future--paid and unpaid. There is a business case to be made for that, but not at the present that I can see.

*Trustworthiness......Hold on to your wallet. I am no longer concerned about identity theft or fraudulent charges. But I will not pay them a cent unless it is 100% clear what I am paying for and they are completely transparent, the MSC's have confirmed they require it, I have verified what they tell me and, it provides value to me.

*Judgment for choosing to do something that is recognized to be a sign of a scam? Highly questionable.

*Legitimacy.............Yes. The MSCs are responsible for the job listings. They are not a scam set up to steal my identity. If that is your only requirement to sign up for the platform, I've seen no evidence to the contrary,

I have done about seven shops for them, and am doing one today, and another tomorrow. I never paid for a background check.

I like ISS, and shop frequently for a few of their clients. Wouldn't pay the $9.95 unless they could guarantee that it was going to yield a lucrative job; they can't. You don't have to pay; just skip that.

A different MSC, but I gladly pay The Source a small fee every couple of years for their background checks to be a "certified inspector". They do not reimburse the fee, but the shops I get are well worth it.

Preferred Investigations, A Closer Look, and HS Brands handle Nevada shops.

@BetteL wrote:

I never pay to sign up with any MSC's. Stay away from this one. Your hunch is correct.
The only time was with Nevada shops. Yes, I paid a lot to get the license and application. Did a few shops on the Strip, but none since. The license is still active, maybe I should look into that again. The MSC that I sign up with does not have Las Vegas anymore. Anyone know which MSC or who I should contact? Need to make the money I spent on that license worthwhile.

Posted Nevada companies above