Mystery shopping can be a legitimate way for consumers to earn extra income by evaluating customer service, retail stores, restaurants, and other businesses.
Unfortunately, scammers frequently exploit the popularity of mystery shopping by advertising fake jobs that promise easy money, flexible schedules, and high earnings.
If a mystery shopping opportunity sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
What Is the Mystery Shopper Scam?
The Mystery Shopper Scam is a fraudulent work-from-home or side-income scheme that promises payment for evaluating businesses as a secret shopper.
Victims are often told they can:
Earn hundreds of dollars per assignment
Work part-time from home
Choose their own schedule
Receive free products
Make substantial monthly income
The scammers use these promises to collect fees, personal information, or money from victims.
How the Scam Works
Several variations of the mystery shopper scam exist.
The Fake Check Scam
One of the most common versions works like this:
You are hired as a mystery shopper.
A large check arrives in the mail.
You are instructed to deposit the check.
You are told to evaluate a money transfer service.
You are instructed to wire part of the funds elsewhere.
The check later bounces.
The bank removes the funds from your account.
The money you sent is lost.
Victims are often responsible for repaying the bank.
The Membership Fee Scam
Some companies claim you must pay for:
Training materials
Certification
Membership access
Job databases
Shopper directories
After payment, victims often discover there are few legitimate opportunities available.
Personal Information Scams
Some fake employers collect:
Social Security numbers
Bank account information
Driver's license information
The information may later be used for identity theft.
Warning Signs
Several red flags appear in many mystery shopper scams.
Upfront Fees
Legitimate employers generally do not charge applicants to apply for jobs.
Guaranteed Income Claims
Promises of large earnings with little effort should be viewed skeptically.
Checks Sent Before Work Is Performed
Receiving a check before completing any assignment is often a warning sign.
Pressure to Wire Money
Legitimate mystery shopping companies do not require shoppers to forward money.
Unrealistic Pay
Advertisements promising hundreds of dollars for simple store visits are often misleading.
Are Legitimate Mystery Shopping Jobs Real?
Yes.
Legitimate mystery shopping opportunities do exist.
However, most professional mystery shoppers consider the work:
Part-time
Supplemental income
Assignment-based
Competitive
Real assignments typically pay much less than scam advertisements suggest.
How to Find Legitimate Opportunities
When researching mystery shopping jobs:
Research the Company
Search for reviews, complaints, and business information.
Avoid Paying Fees
Information about mystery shopping opportunities is generally available without expensive memberships.
Verify Contact Information
Legitimate companies should provide verifiable business contact information.
Be Cautious with Personal Information
Do not provide sensitive information until you have confirmed the company's legitimacy.
What If You Were Targeted?
If you believe you encountered a mystery shopper scam:
Stop communicating with the company.
Do not deposit suspicious checks.
Monitor your financial accounts.
Save all communications.
Report the scam to appropriate authorities.
Taking action quickly may help prevent financial losses.
Historical Context
Mystery shopper scams have been circulating for decades.
Earlier versions often relied on classified ads, direct mail, and telephone solicitations.
Today, scammers commonly use:
Email
Social media
Text messages
Job boards
Work-from-home advertisements
While the delivery methods have changed, the underlying scam remains largely the same.
Related Resources
Looking for additional consumer resources?
Related Scam Warnings
Consumers researching mystery shopper scams may also be interested in:
Have You Been Offered a Mystery Shopper Job?
Share your experience below.
Were you asked to pay a fee?
Did you receive a check?
How much compensation was promised?
Were you instructed to wire money?
Was the opportunity legitimate?
Your experience may help others recognize and avoid mystery shopper scams.
Disclaimer
ThinkItsAScam.com is an independent consumer information website. This article is intended for educational purposes only and to help consumers identify common employment, work-from-home, and mystery shopper scams.
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