Beware of Mystery Shopper Scams: How to Protect Yourself

In recent years, the rise of online shopping has led to the emergence of various opportunities, including mystery shopping. While legitimate mystery shopping assignments can be a great way to earn some extra cash, they have unfortunately also given rise to a slew of scams designed to exploit unsuspecting individuals. In this post, we’ll explore how mystery shopper scams work, red flags to watch out for, and tips to keep your hard-earned money safe.

What is Mystery Shopping?

Mystery shopping involves companies hiring individuals to impersonate customers. These shoppers provide feedback on their shopping experiences, covering everything from customer service to product quality. This information helps businesses improve their services and understand their competitors better. While many reputable market research firms offer legitimate mystery shopping jobs, scammers have twisted this concept to defraud people.

How Mystery Shopper Scams Operate

Scammers typically lure individuals with job postings that look legitimate. They often use phrases like “work from home,” “flexible hours,” and “earn up to $300 a day.” Here’s how the scam usually unfolds:

1. Application Process: You might apply online or respond to an ad. After a quick screening, you receive an “offer” for a mystery shopping position.
2. Fake Check: The scammer sends you a check that appears genuine and instructs you to deposit it into your bank account. Often, this check is for a large amount, much more than what you would need for your shopping assignment.
3. . Instructions to Wire Money: Once the check is deposited, you’re told to keep a portion of the money as your payment and wire the remaining amount to another person or company, often through a money transfer service.
4. Check Bounces: Days later, after you’ve sent the money, the bank informs you that the check is fraudulent. You are then responsible for the full amount and may even face overdraft fees, leaving you in a financial bind.

Red Flags to Watch Out For

1. Unsolicited Job Offers: Be cautious of job offers that come out of the blue, especially via email or social media. Legitimate companies usually don’t operate this way.
2. Too Good to Be True Pay: If the pay seems unusually high for minimal effort, it's likely a scam.
3. No Company Verification: Legitimate mystery shopping companies will have a verifiable online presence. Do your research and check ratings and reviews.
4. Upfront Costs: Legitimate mystery shopping jobs do not require you to pay anything upfront or to deposit money.
5. Pressure to Act Quickly: Scammers often create a sense of urgency, encouraging you to act fast. Take your time to think things through and do your due diligence.

To keep you and your money safe, always look up the company offering the job and stick to well-known platforms for job listings or market research companies. If something feels off, trust your gut. It’s better to miss out on a “great opportunity” than to fall for a scam.

If you encounter a mystery shopper scam, report it to the appropriate authorities. This can help protect others from falling victim. For more security tips or to report fraud related to your Wescom account, visit the Wescom Security Center at wescom.org/security-center.