It’s important to be aware of mystery shopping scams before you set out on your first assignment as a mystery shopper! Mystery shopping is a legitimate business and helps provide valuable information to leading businesses to help improve their services and experience of their customers. Mystery Shoppers/Business Evaluators are a vital part of the industry and are the main target for scamming agents worldwide.
We have compiled a list of pointers to look out for when you’re accepting a mystery shopping assignment to be aware of illegitimate businesses and scams.
- Never pay to become a mystery shopper. Mystery shopping companies pay/reimburse the shopper for their services and NEVER charge to become a mystery shopper.
- If a company asks you to pay upfront to get the opportunity, avoid this company. Companies asking you to pay, prior to work completion, are likely scammers.
- If you’re asked to deposit checks into your bank account and send money back to pay for courses, fees, or anything else, this is most likely a scam.
- Never wire money or buy gift cards for a mystery shopping assignment or any job opportunity.
- Always do your research before you accept a mystery shopping assignment. Some common pointers to look out for a legitimate mystery shopping company include:
– The company is an MSPA Americas registered company. (360 Intel is an MSPA Elite Member)
– Legitimate companies always communicate through their business email and refrain from using personal emails to do business. - If a company or a person is asking you to evaluate a money transfer service by transferring money, it is a scam.
- A company asking their shoppers to pay for certification to become a mystery shopper is most likely a scam.
Please visit our Shopper Zone for more Mystery Shopping resources.