It is always a nice feeling when you get a notice that you have been accepted for a mystery shopping assignment. Because we are all busy, it is tempting to file the information about the shop away until the due date is right around the corner. However, that is a mistake that could cause you not to get paid for the assignment, or even lose future assignments.Mystery Shopper Scams – Could You Be a Victim?
Scams appear to be on the rise. The most common mystery shopper scam is the cashiers check scam. The victim receives a large check and they are instructed to cash it and wire most of the money to someone, usually in Canada. Although this is a common scam, mystery shopper scams represent a small percentage of the fraud perpetrated. Other types of scams include lottery and sweepstakes scams, financial investment scams and other versions of the cashiers check scam.
Recently, the psychology department at Exeter University, working on behalf of the UK’s Office of Fair Trading, released a study detailing how and why people fall victim to scams. They found that several persuasive techniques were commonly used by scammers, including:
- Appeals to Trust and Authority – In the secret shopper scam, this is done by using the names of trusted mystery shopping companies, and well-known businesses such as Wal-Mart, Western Union, McDonald’s and others.
- Visceral Triggers – Scammers prey on basic human desires and needs to get an emotional response from their targeted victim. Many scams, including the secret shopper scam, convince the recipients that large sums of money await them.
- Scarcity – Many mail and e-mail scams appear to be personally directed to the recipient. They make it sound as though you were “chosen” out of many other people for this opportunity. There is also a stated or implied sense of urgency—you must respond now or miss out.
- Behavioral Commitment – Scammers may begin by asking for a small commitment. For example, they may ask you to respond to the e-mail with some basic information. Once the victim has taken an initial step, no matter how small, it becomes easier for them to take the next step and the next.
- The Promise of a Big Reward for a Small Cost - The mystery shopper check scam promises hundreds of dollars in return for work that they claim will take more no more than a couple of hours.
Although many of the findings of the study were as to be expected, there were some surprises too. …continue reading Mystery Shopper Scams – Could You Be a Victim?
Here are a few companies I’ve worked with that are REAL and I’ve been PAID by them:
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The mystery shopper