How To Identify Mystery Shopper Scams

For those wondering how to identify mystery shopper scams, it is much simpler than you think. Scams of any kind can be easy to fall into, but with the right precautions they can be avoided. Mystery shopping can be a legitimate job, however, you must work with companies that are known. Any company that ask for an up front fee is more than likely not legitimate. You should never have to spend money to become a mystery shopper.

1. Don't reply to newspaper ads. Many mystery shopper scams are located under wanted ads in the local newspaper. These ads claim to offer mystery shopping opportunities. However, they usually want to charge you and up front fee to join a club. These adds almost always list a toll free number for assistance. Paying close attention to these ads is a critical way to identify mystery shopping scams.
2. Never pay for services or certifications. A lot of companies will offer to sell either mystery shopper certification or mystery shopping directories. They will often take your money and provide outdated lists. They can also provide useless certifications unnecessary for mystery shopping. When you attempt to get a refund the company will most likely avoid your calls or find excuses not to refund your money.
3. Avoid companies offering job guarantees. Mystery shopping work is something that can happen at any given time. There are not always jobs open. For some reason companies tend to offer guaranteed mystery shopping work. This is a definite lie. There is no possible way a company can offer guaranteed work in such an unpredictable market. There also has been fees associated with these types of companies.
4. Research the company. If you feel like you may be getting a great mystery shopping opportunity, check out the company first. This is one of the best and easiest ways to identify mystery shopper scams. You can search for online posts pertaining to the company in question. You can also research companies on the BBB website. Whatever you do, not researching a company can lead to you losing money and becoming a victim of a mystery shopper scam.