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Mystery Shopper Scams Try a New Angle

August 15, 2011 by Cathy Stucker 3 Comments

Scammers are taking advantage of technology to find new ways of scamming people. According to this story by consumer reporter Jeff Ehling at abc13/Houston, scammers are reaching out to potential victims with text messages.

Several people have reported getting text messages offering mystery shopper jobs paying $50 an hour. Tempting, but what do we know about things that sound too good to be true? That’s right: They usually are too good to be true.

People who respond to the text message by calling the phone number given are asked for personal information, including credit card and bank account numbers. (Note: real mystery shopping companies do ask for personal information, including Social Security Numbers, but they do not recruit by sending random text messages and they do not guarantee $50 an hour.)

If you receive a text message offering $50 an hour (or some other ridiculous amount of money) to mystery shop, do not respond. Just hit delete.

Scammers are always looking for new victims. Don’t let them find you.

Filed Under: Mystery Shopper Scam Tagged With: mystery shopper text message, secret shopper scam

« Mystery Shops and Paying for Purchases
Secret Shopper Catches Embezzler »

Comments

  1. deb says

    March 19, 2012 at 6:39 pm

    I thought I’d apply to do mystery shopping in Conway AR. in Jan 2012. EMZ has taken 49.95 out of my acct.4 times this far. 3-12-12 .I’ve NOT make any money from them,and am believing they are scamming ordinary folks like me. Where, what does one do to get any of the money taken return? Or better yet make money to balance, or validate the charge? I only wanted to incr ym esaeincome not deplete my savings!

    Reply
    • Cathy Stucker says

      March 23, 2012 at 9:10 am

      Never pay to apply to someone calling themselves a “mystery shopping company.” Legitimate mystery shopping companies do not charge you. Talk to your bank or credit card company to stop the charges and see if you can get any of your money back.

      Reply
  2. Darris Little says

    June 8, 2014 at 8:52 am

    I got a fake check from a fake secret shopper the person who sent it is Paul Kelly going to take it to the bank tried to find some information about this person no such luck.

    Reply

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