Mystery shopping is a legitimate way to make money; however, if you received a large check and were told to wire money somewhere, don't do anything until you read about mystery shopping scams.

Mystery Shopper Pay via Gift Card – Good or Bad?

Posted on June 5th, 2009 in Mystery Shopping Pay by Cathy Stucker

gift-cardThere are times when a mystery shopping company will send a gift card to be used on a mystery shopper job. Although rare, it’s nice. You don’t have to front the cash for any required purchase and wait for reimbursement. However, there is a new trend in shopper pay that is not quite so nice.

Some clients are choosing to reimburse mystery shoppers with gift cards, instead of cash. What this means is that you do the mystery shop and pay out of pocket for any required purchase. After your report has been accepted, you are paid with a gift card from the merchant.

Let’s do the math to see if this is a good deal. Here is how it might work: …continue reading Mystery Shopper Pay via Gift Card – Good or Bad?

How to Handle a Mystery Shopping Scam Check

Posted on June 3rd, 2009 in Mystery Shopper Scam by Cathy Stucker

bank-checkIf you have gotten one of those checks for thousands of dollars from someone representing themselves as a mystery shopping company, you are about to be scammed. Unless, of course, you follow the advice in this article.

Mystery shopping companies do not send checks for thousands of dollars to potential mystery shoppers. Ever. They do not ask you to wire money. Ever. I have written about mystery shopper scams many times, but even some of the people who read those articles will want to believe that their situation is the exception, and they are going to get paid $400 for a couple of hours of work. Not gonna happen. Ever.

Before you cash the check and wire the money off to the scammer, humor me for a minute. Do a couple of things to check them out. If I’m wrong and the “offer” if legitimate, you can post a comment and say I was wrong. But if I’m right, you will save yourself thousands of dollars, lots of aggravation, and possibly some jail time. (Cashing a forged check is a crime, and you may have to convince the police that you are the victim to get out of trouble.)

Here’s what to do… …continue reading How to Handle a Mystery Shopping Scam Check

Mystery Shopper Professional Standards

Posted on June 1st, 2009 in Mystery Shopper Ethics by Cathy Stucker

This is one in a series of posts on mystery shopper business ethics.

professional-shopperThis week we examine three points in the MSPA Code of Professional Standards and Ethics For Mystery Shoppers relating to maintaining professional standards in mystery shopping. All secret shoppers who achieve MSPA mystery shopper certification commit to uphold these standards, and they are standards that all mystery shoppers, whether certified or not, should follow.

I agree to perform all shops to the best of my ability.

Mystery shopping appears to be simple, so it is easy to get complacent about preparing for and performing mystery shopper jobs. However, it is important that each shop is done as thoroughly and accurately as possible. Do not rush through a shop visit or writing a mystery shopper report. Take the time to do it right.

Some shoppers justify sloppy work because they feel they are not paid enough to do a good job. If you think the pay is too low, do not accept the assignment. If you accept a mystery shopper job, do it right.
…continue reading Mystery Shopper Professional Standards

« Previous Page