Mystery Shopper Scams – 5 tips to help you from getting scammed

Do not be fooled by mystery shopper scams. This goes for any job – a real company will not charge you for training or certification. Mystery Shopping DOES NOT work like that either. A real company will train you properly without charging you – don’t pay for a certification that that is worthless anywhere else.

1. NEVER PAY TO WORK AS A MYSTERY SHOPPER
2. NEVER PAY FOR TRAINING REQUIRED TO WORK
3. NEVER WIRE MONEY AS PART OF A MYSTERY SHOPPING ASSIGNMENT
4. NEVER DEPOSIT CHEQUES INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT AND SEND MONEY BACK
5. NEVER APPLY FOR MYSTERY SHOPPING JOBS THAT GUARANTEE A LOT OF MONEY

This goes for any job – a real company will not charge you for training or certification. Mystery Shopping DOES NOT work like that either. A real company will train you properly without charging you – don’t pay for a certification that that is worthless anywhere else.

Some mystery shopping assignments will have you pay for merchandise and will reimburse you. That is normal and usually involves a budget. Paying any money up front is not normal.

No real mystery shopping company will send you a cheque and have you deposit and send money back for taxes, fees, or any other reason.

Mystery shopping is meant to be a good source of 2^nd income. That is it. A good mystery shopping company does not guarantee you anything more than that.

Find out more on How to Become a Mystery Shopper with Sting.  

RESOURCES:

• https://www.ag.state.mn.us/consumer/publications/secretshopper.asp
• https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/mystery-shopping-scams
• https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/mystery-shopping-scams-1.4122158