The world of mystery shopping has been an essential part of consumer research for decades. Companies sometimes hire secret shoppers to visit stores, use services, and report back on their experiences to assess customer service, product quality, and store cleanliness. But as the digital world evolves, so do the scams surrounding it. Secret shopper scams are on the rise, tricking people into giving away personal information, money, or both. Perhaps the only mystery behind a secret shopper scam is when you ask yourself how they were able to take your money without you realizing they were doing it.
What Are Secret Shopper Scams?
Secret shopper scams occur when fraudsters pose as legitimate mystery shopping recruiters. They contact individuals, usually through email, text, or social media, offering a “job” as a secret shopper. The scam typically involves the victim receiving a check or money transfer to conduct mystery shopping at various stores. They are then asked to deposit the check into their account and spend the money, often on a specific set of items or services. Afterward, the scammer may ask for a report on the purchases or instruct the shopper to wire a portion of the funds back or send gift cards. The check or money transfer initially received turns out to be fake or stolen, and by the time the bank realizes the fraud, the victim is left holding the bag for the money they spent.
In some cases, the scammer will simply tell the victim to purchase the items using their own money, with promises of reimbursement and payment for the job coming from the retailer.
How Do Secret Shopper Scams Work?
- The victim is contacted via email, text, or social media by someone claiming to be a mystery shopping company. The email often looks convincing and may even contain a logo from a legitimate company.
- The individual is offered a position as a secret shopper with a generous pay rate, sometimes in the range of $300 to $500 per assignment. The offer is often enticing, with promises of flexible hours and quick payouts.
- Once the victim agrees, the scammer sends them a check or transfers funds into their bank account. This money is typically for the “mystery shopping” purchases they’re supposed to make.
- The victim is told to visit specific stores or online retailers and purchase items, which may include gift cards, electronics, or even money orders. The scammer may ask for a detailed report of the visit and a picture of the items purchased.
- After the shopping spree, the scammer instructs the victim to wire a portion of the funds back or buy gift cards and send the codes. This is the part where the scammer takes advantage of the victim’s trust.
- Once the victim has deposited the fake check and spent their own money, the bank realizes the check is fraudulent and withdraws the amount from the victim’s account. The scammer disappears with the money, leaving the victim to pay for the losses.
Common Warning Signs of Secret Shopper Scams
- Legitimate mystery shopping opportunities typically come through established companies that don’t need to cold-call people. If you didn’t apply for the job and receive an unexpected offer, it’s a big red flag.
- Scammers often promise high pay for minimal work. If the compensation seems too generous, it probably is. Legitimate secret shopper or mystery shopper jobs are usually only part time and require little to no education or experience, and as a result, the pay is minimal.
- Scammers will often ask for personal details such as your address, bank account number, or Social Security number. These are unnecessary for a legitimate mystery shopper role.
- If you are asked to pay money upfront, wire funds, or purchase gift cards, it is a major indicator of fraud. Avoid any job that requires you to pay upfront.
- Scammers may send checks for more than the expected amount and ask you to send the difference. This is a typical tactic to ensure they take your money.
- If you can’t find valid contact information or the company’s website looks unprofessional or vague, proceed with caution.
- Scammers often create a sense of urgency, asking you to act quickly or risk losing the job or a big payout.
- If you see a secret shopper job notice from the Mystery Shopping Professionals Association (MSPA – trade association for the customer experience industry). MSPA doesn’t hire or advertise for mystery shoppers.
How to Protect Yourself From Secret Shopper Scams
- Verify the legitimacy of any mystery shopping company by checking for a physical address, website, and customer reviews. Reputable companies like the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA) have lists of legitimate opportunities.
- Never deposit checks from unknown sources. If you’re unsure about a check’s legitimacy, contact your bank before depositing it.
- A legitimate mystery shopping job will never ask you to wire money or buy gift cards to send back, so don’t.
- Sign up for mystery shopping opportunities only on trusted platforms. Refrain from accepting offers that come through unsolicited email, social media, or text messages.
- If you receive a suspicious offer, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), your state’s attorney general, or the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Reporting scams helps prevent others from being duped.
