Are Secret Shoppers Legit?

Some companies hire "secret shoppers" or "mystery shoppers" to anonymously evaluate the quality of a store's service, atmosphere or products. However, many advertisements or offers for secret shoppers are scams.

Features

Secret shopper scams sometimes require people to pay a fee for a secret shopper "certification" or access to a directory of secret shopper jobs. Other secret shopper scams send fake checks in advance as well as instructions for secret shoppers to follow.

Considerations

Legitimate secret shopper jobs do exist. Most secret shoppers work part-time and find opportunities through marketing research companies. Always research a company before committing to a secret shopper job.

Avoiding Scams

Avoid secret shopper advertisements that charge a fee, send unsolicited emails, advertise in "help wanted" sections of newspapers or require a certification. If you think you may have been the victim of a secret shopper scam, contact the Better Business Bureau or the Federal Trade Commission.

References

• Federal Trade Commission: The Secrets of a Mystery Shopper Revealed
• Federal Trade Commission: Giving the Bounce to Counterfeit Check Scams